Top Trumps; liars poker?

Over the past week I have been regularly invited on to Sky News to commentate on the communication models and body language surrounding both the G7 Summit and the historic Trump/Kim meeting in Singapore. This has given me the chance to further study Donald Trump and his unique traits as a communicator. Given my recent research, here’s why I think that I could help you beat him at poker.

Before the meeting with Kim (Jong Un not Kardashian), Trump said, he’d have the upper hand going into negotiations because he "reads" people so well. But truth is, Trump's body language actually shouts across the room. Kim (or anyone playing cards with him) will have no problem working him out.

It is clear that Trump was uncomfortable at G7 because he doesn't like negotiating with groups. He finds it hard to hide his emotions and under pressure, he resorts to clearly readable behaviours.

Traditionally the crossed arms pose is meant to imply defensiveness and impatience. However, when attempting to analyse people’s intentions, it is not enough to just make this judgment based on one bit of body language alone. That said, ‘The Donald’ is pretty straightforward to read. When he is backed into a corner and contemptuous, he displays the classic universal ‘one-sided snarl’. He looks like a recalcitrant, defiant child, being reprimanded by his betters. Teachers inherently understand that kind of look. Trump has completely nailed that “You’re not the boss of me” body language most recall seeing in 8 year olds.

Trump has some other interesting ‘tells’, he seems to frown and button his coat up. He’s like a big child so he pretty much always gives away what he’s feeling.

Trump (or Kim for that matter) does not have much experience of people not listening to him. He expects automatic respect and deference. So, in a high stakes game of cards, he will probably display withdrawal behaviours. Characterised by a tendency to avoid either unfamiliar people, places, or situations. DT’s forefinger to thumb hand gesture, when he is talking, is interesting. It is about liking to be completely in control of the situation. It could be a signal to tell everyone else to shut up and listen. When he displays this movement it could another interesting indicator of insecurity over what (tiny) hand he is holding.

There are so many different levels of ‘deception detection’ from manipulators (self-touching to face and neck), eye-accessing cues, blink rate and Illustrators (hand movements) that I am sure that I could definitely shift the odds greatly in your favour.

If you ever get invited round to The White House for a game of cards, give me a call and I will be happy to help you gain the ultimate unfair advantage.

However, remember what Paul Newman said, “If you're playing a poker game and you look around the table and can't tell who the sucker is, it's you.”

Here are some clips from my appearances this week on Sky News talking about the G7 and the Trump/Kim Summit: https://youtu.be/TnFpvZx4Vpg