Donald Trump 'stung to new level of anger' showing 'state of aggressive arousal'

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Judi James says Trump
Judi James says Trump's "smug smile has gone" as he speaks in Las Vegas (Image: Getty Images)

Donald Trump was in a “state of aggressive arousal” after reaching “new levels of anger” when ordered to pay a whopping $83million (£65m) to journalist E. Jean Carroll, a body language expert said.

Trump was found to have maliciously damaged Carroll’s reputation after she accused him publicly of sexual assault in 2019. Jurors ordered the former president to pay $18million (£14m) to compensate for the personal harm Carroll went through, before an extra $65million (£51m) to punish Trump and warn him away from attacking her on social media, The Express reports.

Taking to the stage in Las Vegas last night, as he battles Nikki Haley in the Republican presidential primaries, Trump did not directly address the court case. But according to body language experts Judi James, his anger was nonetheless evident.

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Donald Trump 'stung to new level of anger' showing 'state of aggressive arousal' qhiqqhiqhriqxuinvE. Jean Carroll was awarded a huge $83million out of Trump's pocket by a jury (Getty Images)

"Trump’s body language here suggests a man stung to a new level of anger. The more playful, congenial version of Trump from his other most recent rallies seems to have evaporated into the ether thanks to his defamation trial. His state of aggressive arousal can be seen here from five key signals,” James said.

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"His grip on the lectern suggests he is driving the thing,” she added. “His arms are splayed and his hands grip the lectern at either side so his shoulders lean forward slightly to create a steering pose."

Trump is the clear favourite to represent the Republicans in the 2024 presidential election, having swatted away all of his opponents other than Haley. The 45th president has swept to victory in the Iowa caucuses and New Hampshire primaries, with South Carolina - Haley’s home state - up next this Saturday (February 3).

Donald Trump 'stung to new level of anger' showing 'state of aggressive arousal'Judi James says Trump's mouth is the biggest tell tale sign of his anger (AFP via Getty Images)

But despite his strong position in the primaries, it wasn’t enough to keep him cheery after the mammoth damages he was ordered to pay. "His smug smile has gone. There is no cheek-rounding here or any eye-smile. Instead, his brows are pulled into a frown,” James said. "His signature torso-bristle when he feigns indignation has been replaced by a strong lifting of the shoulders and then a pulling down to create emphasis. When he mentions ' Joe Biden and his thugs' his fingers lift and splay but without letting the grip on the lectern go."

The clearest sign of Trump’s anger came from his mouth, the expert explained. “It’s Trump’s mouth that seems to signal genuine anger here the most. His upper lip is either pulled into a micro-sneer or pulled drum-skin tight and sucked in over his upper teeth. His lower jaw juts, showing off his very white lower teeth like a bulldog."

Trump’s legal woes are far from other, still facing four indictments in criminal cases which prosecutors are hoping to bring to trial before the election in November. A trial date for the federal election interference case is set for March 4th, while he is set to face a jury from May 20 following accusations he illegally retained classified documents from the White House.

Matthew Dooley

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