Nervous Tucker Carlson 'shrieks' as Putin uses key signals to 'freeze' him
Vladimir Putin's mannerisms and "lecture-like" speech completely dominated Tucker Carlson, causing him to freeze up in their headline-grabbing interview broadcast last night.
That's according to a body language expert, who tells TheMirror.com the warmongering Russian President was clearly enjoying himself during the highly-publicised grilling.
Leading communication and body language expert, Judi James, tells The Mirror: "This was less like an interview and more like a lecture from Putin, including a history lesson that filled vast swathes of valuable time. Putin’s body language suggested he was enjoying himself and enjoying the platform. His body language techniques varied from deliberate distraction rituals to signals of authority and command.
"As Tucker Carlson was asking his first question Putin was appearing to put him off or register control by fiddling with his watch strap, removing his watch and laying it on the table to stare at the dial in a very pointed way. He then rubbed his wrist, engaging immediately with a grin that rounded his cheeks in a gesture of pleasure and good humour as he was asked ‘Why did you invade Ukraine?’
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Tucker Carlson shrank into himself according to a body language expert, as Putin relentlessly lectured the former Fox host (TCN)"Are we having a talk show or a serious conversation?’ was his reply, which prompted a bizarre shriek of open-mouthed nervous laughter from Carlson, although the smile faded as Putin told him ‘Your basic education is in history as far as I understand’, which was Putin’s cue to launch into a relentless history lecture. As Putin moved through centuries of Russian history in a relentless verbal assault, Tucker froze so hard he barely seemed to blink. His lips pursed tight and his brows puckered into a frown while his notes and written questions seemed to wilt in his hands."
The Carlson interview was Putin 's first conversation with a Western media figure since his full-scale invasion of Ukraine two years ago.
Carlson was fired by Fox News in April after having spent more than a decade with the network, and went on to start his own streaming service, Tucker Carlson Network, where he conducts controversial interviews with prominent right-wing personalities, including Trump and Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán.
Now, he's reviving his career with an interview with the Russian leader in Moscow. The Russian president has widely been regarded as a war criminal after invading Ukraine in February 2022, nearly two years ago. In Russia, there's been a near-shutdown of the media and a crackdown on 'dissidents' that includes criticism of the war in Ukraine.
Putin displayed power and confidence during his interview with Fox host Tucker Carlson, who seemed to shrink into himself as the Russian President gave him a history lecture (TCN)Putin brought his usual intimidation tactics to the interview, according to Judi's body language assessment.
The first question Carlson asked was too on-the-nose for the Russian leader. As Carlson inquired about what led Putin to invade Ukraine, the Russian leader immediately took a shot at the former Fox host.
"Are we having a talk show or a serious conversation?" was Putin's reply, which prompted "a bizarre shriek of open-mouthed nervous laughter from Carlson," according to Judi.
Putin had full control of the interview, as shown by his calm and collected mannerisms (TCN)Carlson's smile faded as Putin pointedly told him: "Your basic education is in history as far as I understand?" before launching into a relentless history lecture.
At this moment, Putin's "gestures became more authoritative... so that by the time some questions did get asked, he was using one or even two upward-pointing index fingers raised at face level, head batons, chopping hand gestures and a cold, piercing stare to register power and control," added Judi.
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Putin isn't known for being an over-the-top orator, but his speeches are often full of powerful hand gestures and displays of power (TCN)"By the end of the over two-hour lecture, he was leaning out towards Carlson, using a flurry of shrugs and open hand gestures to try to suggest that he was the reasonable one in the world," suggests Judi.
Besides that, Judi says that Putin made several displays of power. His face turned into a sneer when talking about the "so-called civilised West" while wagging his finger and taking a humorous tone.
Then, Putin bragged about a "Hypersonic strike system" ahead of all other countries, "with a puffed and splayed chest plus a smile" - showmanship behaviour, according to the body language expert.
The interview was Putin's first with a Western journalist in almost two years (TCN)Judi said: "Putin looked relaxed as his body bristled with enjoyment. Both hands were used constantly in some very active emphatic gesticulation and at one point he even brought an aide on set with a bound set of documents ‘So that you won’t think I am inventing things’. Putin’s rounded cheeks suggested he chillingly enjoyed being in charge here. His gestures became more authoritative so that by the time some questions did get asked he was using one or even two upward-pointing index fingers raised at face level, head batons, chopping hand gestures and a cold piercing stare to register power and control.
"Referring to the ‘So-called civilised West’ his top lip curled into a sneer. His finger started to waggle in a reprimand gesture as he added some chuckles along with the bouts of steady eye contact. His boast about having a ‘Hypersonic strike system ahead of everyone’ came with a puffed and splayed chest plus a smile. By the end of the over two hour lecture he was leaning out towards Carlson, using a flurry of shrugs and open hand gestures to try to suggest that he was the reasonable one in the world."
Carlson seemed to let Putin go on uninterrupted most of the time, asking him softball questions (TCN)As for rumours about the Russian President's health, Judi added: "If Putin is ill there were no clear signs of it in this animated lecture where he spoke virtually non-stop. He did clear his throat several times and took one sip of water but in a talk lasting more than two hours that looked like a natural response. Both hands were active and the movements of his feet were limited apart from a raising of one toe now and again."
Most of the interview focused on Ukraine, where the war is nearing the two-year mark. Putin repeated his claim that his invasion of Ukraine, which Kyiv and its allies describe as an unprovoked act of aggression, was necessary to protect Russian speakers in Ukraine and prevent the country from posing a threat to Russia by joining NATO.
Many have already chastised Tucker Carlson for giving a free platform to the Russian leader, who has in the past refused interviews with Western journalists.
Putin continued to reiterate that he invaded Ukraine 'to ensure the safety of Russians' in the territory, a claim that Ukraine and its allies denyThe interview did have several interesting revelations, including a moment where Putin claimed Russia had for a minute hoped to join NATO, but this, he claims, was blocked by Bill Clinton. He also claimed Russia, which invaded Ukraine seemingly unprovoked, would only ever invade neighbouring countries if "provoked."
Putin also said that Russia stands ready to negotiate a potential prisoner exchange that would free Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich, who was detained last March on espionage charges he denies, and hinted that Moscow wants the release of its agent imprisoned in Germany.
White House national security spokesman John Kirby tried to minimise the impact of Carlson’s interview ahead of its release: “Remember, you’re listening to Vladimir Putin. And you shouldn’t take at face value anything he has to say.”
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