Trump's dramatic 'gear change' as 'gift' to Melania after forgetting her name
As he spoke at his Mar-a-Lago estate following a sweeping Super Tuesday victory, Donald Trump appeared much more "subdued" than previous grandiose appearances at rallies, in what's believed could be a "gift" for Melania, who has previously asked him to appear more "presidential".
According to a body language expert, Trump seems to have ditched his "smug self-aggrandizing, naked anger" and "comedy showboating" in this speech, appearing "subdued, calm and presidential". As the Republican frontrunner walked onto the stage, there was no dancing to Lee Greenwood's 'God Bless the USA', with Trump standing to attention to a sea of supporters, looking out over the crowd, simply giving a brief hand gesture before walking to the podium.
His speech took a darker tone, painting a bleak image of the country, saying it was descending into chaos under Biden's leadership. He even called the US a "third-world country" at "borders" and "elections" and warned the "world is laughing at us".
READ MORE: Nikki Haley reportedly suspending presidential bid after defeats to Trump on Super Tuesday
Trump ditched his usual 'comedy showboating' in his post Super Tuesday speech (AFP via Getty Images)
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Speaking exclusively to The Mirror, body language expert Judi James said: "The hyperbole of his words and claims might be familiar but the complete change of gear in terms of Trump's delivery style during this Mar-a-Lago speech after Super Tuesday is powerful and telling. His Super Tuesday successes seem to have blown the familiar, heady scent of the White House up Trump's nostrils and as a result he delivers his speech here in a more subdued, calm and presidential manner."
Trump is currently storming ahead in the Republican primaries, leading with 995 delegates to sole competitor Nikki Haley's 89. Some of his victory margins were staggering, with a 70 per cent margin in Alabama, 61 per cent in Texas, and 70 of the vote in California.
Trump put on a more 'presidential' performance during the speech (Getty Images)"A Trump electoral speech is often a patchwork of smug self-aggrandizing, naked anger and some comedy showboating, but this speech is primarily a one-note, one-tone performance," explained Judi. "Apart from a swift, biting sneer when he says Joe Biden's name, he keeps his emotions and his inflated ego more in check than usual in terms of his non-verbal signalling."
Melania Trump has been notedly absent from many of her husband's political rallies, and while she has confirmed she supports his decision to run for the White House for a third time, she has remained relatively tight-lipped on the whole affair. During a chaotic speech at the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAP), he appeared to have a slip of the tongue when it came to his wife's name.
Melania Trump has been notably absent from many of her husband's political rallies (Getty Images)Giving the former First Lady a standing ovation, Trump praised Melania and said: "Oh look at that Mercedes, that's pretty good" as the crowd clapped. Melania is said to have previously told her husband she wanted him to appear more "presidential" in his speeches, and step away from his usual dancing around the stage. According to Judi: "He once said that Melania urges him to stop dancing on stage and be more presidential and this performance looks like his gift to her."
Looking closer at his speech, Judi noted: "His rounded cheeks and his cocked thumbs reveal he's sitting on high levels of inner satisfaction and even glee, but he keeps his gloating signals turned to neutral. His chest is raised in a suggestion of victory rather than splayed to signal aggressive arousal. When he juts his lower jaw it looks more like a signal of regret for America 'dying' rather than an act of anger."
Trump's change of gear could be a sign he' attempting to woo fringe voters (Getty Images)With his last-standing Republican rival Nikki Haley reportedly dropping out of the race, Trump's future as the Republican nominee for the November 2024 election seems to be growing more secure by the minute. Judi noted that this could be a reason behind his "change of gears" with his Super Tuesday victory speech.
"Getting more presidential as he gets closer to the White House could be a body language technique aimed at picking up stray votes and even converting the undecided," she explained. "It seems to imply that his roadshow was deliberate panto, but that this is the man you could be voting into office."
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