Keir Starmer’s response to Donald Trump’s comments about NATO troops in Afghanistan looked “performative”, but there was “one tell” that showed whether he genuinely meant it
Keir Starmer blasted Donald Trump tonight over comments the US President made about NATO troops in Afghanistan, and according to a body language expert, the Prime Minister had “one tell” that showed whether it was “just a performance”.
Keir Starmer called Trump’s remarks about British troops in Afghanistan “insulting and frankly appalling” as he hit back after Trump claimed NATO allies “stayed a little back, off the front line” in Afghanistan. A total of 457 British troops died in the conflict with hundreds more suffering life-changing injuries.
“If I had misspoken in that way I could certainly apologise,” said Starmer. Speaking to the Mirror, expert Judi James gave her analysis of the Prime Minister’s body language, saying it looks “very performative in terms of getting the words and the projected emotions right”. But, she said “there is one ‘tell’ that can be interpreted in two different ways.”
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“Is this just a performance? It does look very performative in terms of getting the words and the projected emotions right,” Judi said. “But the micro-gestures and the blinking hint at genuine anger and there is one ‘tell’ that can be interpreted in two different ways.
“When his hands are raised his thumbs are partially cocked, suggesting confidence, but then there seems to be some shaking of the left hand. Shaking can be a sign of nerves but it can also be a sign of genuine anger that, again, can trigger a burst of adrenaline.”
Starmer “clearly” wanted to present a “tone of anger and indignation”, according to Judi in both a verbal and non-verbal way. She said: “His ‘prepping’ gestures as he listens to his question suggest this is a well-planned and well choreographed performance to hit the right note in the UK.”
She explained: “His hard, staccato blinking as he waits to start look almost like morse code messages of irritation. Exaggerated, rapid blinking like this can be a sign of aggressive arousal and the adrenalin burst that comes when the fight/flight mode has been triggered. His chest’s shallow heaving changes subtly to a faster and quicker rise as he waits to start and this also suggests an air of keenness and expectation as though he can barely wait to get stuck in.
“His rapid nods cut through the questions in a form of non-verbal interruption, suggesting impatience to say his piece and when that time comes he literally springs into life, taking control of the message by beginning with the words ‘Let me…’ as an announcement to his speech and throwing his hands up in the air in front of his torso in an ‘invisible brick’ gesture to add drama while suggesting a desire to take control of the problem.
“His voice comes as a shout to, again, suggest anger and indignation. By acting out his anger, indignation and a rather school head-style, more authoritarian approach when he clasps his hands in his fall-back pose, he seems to be role-playing the emotions that actually should be aimed at Trump himself rather than the interviewer he is talking to.
“This style of second-hand emotional mime suggests a desire to show the public how he will be when he speaks to Trump or to ensure he is seen as taking a strong stance on the public’s behalf. His head batons and his hand chopping gestures suggest a state of aggressive arousal and he very emphatically uses the word ‘I’ very heavily to suggest the ‘fight’ is a personal one.
“His ‘I consider Trump’s remarks to be insulting and frankly appauling’ are perhaps the strongest terms he could have used and mildly out of character. He delivers them with a sustained stare that suggests he is, again, role-playing a one-to-one with the President and he uses a dramatic pause as though allowing his words to sink in.
“He depersonalises some of the emotions by stating ‘We have a very close relationship with the US’ which suggests the gripe is not with the nation but with the President’s words. As he speaks there is some vocal ‘huffing’ to suggest anger and there are two chest-splays to hint at physical strength.”
