Trump’s ‘smallest clue’ showed he was ‘bracing himself’ at RNC and a ‘rare display’ hinted at ‘change’ after shooting
DONALD Trump displayed a rarely-seen side of himself during his first public appearance after surviving Saturday's assassination attempt, a body language expert has said.
The former president took the stage at the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee on Monday, just 48 hours after he was injured in a shooting.
Trump was shot at during a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, on Saturday night with one bullet clipping his ear, leaving his face covered in blood as his security detail got him to the floor.
The gunman, who was identified as 20-year-old Thomas Matthew Crooks, fired eight shots, killing one spectator and injuring two others before Secret Service snipers shot him dead.
Just moments after being hit, Trump put on a display of defiance as he stood back up, surrounded by security, and raised his fist in the air, shouting, "Fight!" as he was ushered away.
However, according to body language expert Judi James, little of this behavior was present at his first public appearance since the attack.
Trump was met with cheers and applause as he arrived at the Fiserv Forum, tightly surrounded by security and wearing a bandage on his right ear.
Onlookers are used to Trump's "show-boating and peacocking" James explained, but at the RNC event, he revealed the emotional toll the attack had on him.
However, despite this, the former president still exuded an image of "physical strength" she said.
"He could have made this first appearance in Milwaukee a body language display of the kind of chest-banging power and alpha strength he performed outside the various courtrooms during his trials but instead we are shown a much more nuanced, emotional, and sentimental-looking response from the ex-president here," James explained.
"He strides in alone with his arms hanging at his sides to register ongoing physical strength despite the large bandage on his ear."
The former president was uncharacteristically quiet, choosing not to address the crowd at the event as he arrived for the final hour of speeches.
James noted a "micro-wince" that Trump did as he entered the convention.
This minute detail was "the smallest of clues about the emotional effort required," the body language expert explained, noting that the former president appeared to be "bracing himself internally."
"His initial sad eye expression gives away more clues to how touched he seems to be felt and as he hears the first cheers his lips close in a smile of acknowledgment while one brow puckers up to retain that air of a self-reflective, sentimental mood."
"The core facets of my husband's life - his human side - were buried below the political machine.
"Donald, the generous and caring man who I have been with through the best of times and the worst of times."
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Security at the RNC event was ramped up after the shooting with barricades, steel fences, armed law enforcement, and checkpoints.
Meanwhile, Trump has confirmed his running mate for the presidential election, as he shows no signs of slowing down after the shooting.