Donald Trump recently delivered a statement from the Walter Reed National Military Medical
Center, where he was admitted Friday after making his COVID-19 diagnosis public earlier
that day.
Americans watched to see how the commander-in-chief was faring after the startling announcement
that both he and First Lady Melania Trump, had fallen ill.
"I came here, wasn't feeling so well. I feel much better now. We're working hard to get
me all the way back. I have to be back."
To better understand what was said and left unsaid during the four-minute clip, The List
turned to two analysts: human behavior and body language expert Mark Bowden, also a panelist
on The Behavior Panel; and body language expert and psychologist Dr. Renée Carr, who's also
a political and corporate advisor.
First, Bowden noted that Trump's physical appearance appeared less than robust, detecting,
quote, "a clear loss of weight in his face and loss of color to his face."
He also pointed to a more subdued demeanor being exhibited by the president with
"...more downward intonation to his voice. [He's] not so upbeat, aggressive, or optimistic.
His gestures are consistent in his hands to his baseline, but his head is tucked down
towards his shoulders in a 'turtle' gesture which often denotes the need for protection."
Bowden also pointed out that Trump isn't wearing a tie, which he says, quote, "may denote his
need for as little constriction as possible around his airways."
Dr. Renee Carr zeroed in on Trump's apparent efforts to reinforce the idea that he is still
in control and in charge, saying,
"Here we see President Trump tightly interlocking his fingers. Most often when he holds his
hands in this way, it is when he is giving a formal speech or formal update to the country.
Because President Trump is using this gesture, it reveals that he was giving his health update
as a formal responsibility of a president in an attempt to assure the general public
[...] that his health has not been severely compromised."
Bowden added that the setup staged around him for the video, composed of flags and documents,
is meant to convey to viewers that he's still invested in the daily work of the presidency,
despite his illness.
While clearly the president wants to show fortitude, Bowden suggested he may be struggling
to stick to his relentless positivity about himself.
"So I just want to tell you that I'm starting to feel… good. You don't know, over the
period of the next few days, that's the real test."
Per Bowden,
"[When Trump says,] 'I am starting to feel ... good ...' [there is an] upward inflection
on 'good,' which suggests that this is a question for him. Not fully decided yet."
Carr pointed out that,
"More than the goal to alleviate the general public of worry, Trump sought to speak to
his primary voting base. He quickly emphasized returning to the campaign trail."
"I look forward to finishing up the campaign the way it was started and the way we've been
doing." "We're gonna beat this coronavirus or whatever you want to call it, and we're
going to beat it soundly."
She also noted some diminishing language on his part, saying,
"By referring to the coronavirus as 'the coronavirus or whatever you want to call it,' Trump is
simultaneously acknowledging the realities of his coronavirus diagnosis while also maintaining
his previous stance that the coronavirus can be easily overcome."
When referring to the expressions of support coming from leaders around the world, Bowden
noted that Trump used an unusual term.
“I also want to thank the leaders of the world for their condolences and their, they
know what we're going through, and they know what, as your leader, what I have to go through."
Per Bowden, Trump raises his clasped hands in optimism while referring to the leaders
of the world, before dropping his hands hard, creating a knock on the desk, when he relates
those leaders' condolences. According to his analysis,
"This is what you offer when someone dies. There is a suggestion here that he or other
leaders or both felt he was very ill."
Carr added an additional view on Trump's awkward word choice, saying,
"President Trump struggled to think of a word to describe the expressions of concern he
received from other world leaders. He likely is very much aware that their expressions
were not sincere, but politically motivated."
But she continued, saying,
"It was personally important for President Trump to publicize that other world leaders
expressed concern for his welfare - with his statement being an act meant to persuade Americans
to believe that he is respected around the globe; and a reminder that he is the leader
of 'the most powerful country in the world.'"
Carr also was struck by Trump's overt desire to be respected at home. She said,
"When expressing gratitude for the public's concern for his welfare, President Trump emphasized
his gratefulness to the American people with body language that emphasized the word 'American.'
His shoulders and chest moved forward as if making an exclamation mark with his body on
the word 'American.'"
She concluded her analysis by tying the video into Trump's ambitions for a second term as
President, saying,
"His greater gratitude for the support of the American people is likely sincere. It
is very important for President Trump to be respected, not only around the world, but
especially in America - and especially when he is campaigning for re-election."
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