Nonverbal Communication Analysis №3859: Steve Bannon Touches Reince Priebus’ Leg at CPAC — Body Language and Emotional Intelligence (VIDEO, PHOTOS)
Yesterday at the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC), an interesting moment occurred during Reince Priebus’ and Steve Bannon’s on-stage interview. Toward the very end of their appearance (24:53), Bannon pats Priebus’ right thigh — and Priebus reacts — swiftly swatting him away.
Outside the arena of contact sports, there are only a few causes/reasons why one adult would touch another adult on their thigh. These include:
1. Power/Alpha/Deliberate Intimidation Display
2. Narcissism (a large overlap with cause №1, above)
3. Sexual (However, this cause is not being suggested in this example)
4. Autistic Spectrum Disorder
What we’re seeing here is an amalgam of both a Power/Alpha/Intimidation Behavior display- as well as a very deliberate manifestation of Narcissism (Nos. 1 & 2 above). Entering into another person’s personal space without their permission (AKA, “an invasion” of their personal space [intimate space]) — particularly in such a public forum — and especially on the thigh, does not fall within the realm of normal behavior. Bannon is very much letting Priebus know — and letting the World know — who is the alpha male in President Trump’s inner circle — and who is the beta.
Intriguingly, just prior to and during the precise instant of contact (24:53), both men were displaying “Tongue Juts” — yet not the same variety. Steve Bannon’s jaw and lips were significantly more relaxed — ergo a “Loose Tongue Jut”. This signifies the thought-emotion of, “I’ve been/about to be bad” or “I got caught” (Navarro/Captured in photo immediately above).
However, Reince Priebus’ mouth and jaw were more contracted — thus his was a “Tight Tongue Jut” — indicating a Disdain for or being Repulsed/Disgusted by someone or something (isolated in the image immediately above).
A split second later, Priebus then exhibits an “Inward Lip Roll” (ILR). An inward lip roll is one way our subconscious/edge of consciousness attempts to suppress both the outward display of — and also the inner growth of strong emotions.
After being touched in such a manner in a highly visible and public context, Priebus’ experiences a burst of adrenaline and anxiety — resulting in burning”/strong itching of his ear — which of course, he then grabs/rubs (24:56).
You may have also noticed that about a second prior to this (24:55), Priebus makes a “hard swallow” — signaled by his Adam’s Apple (thyroid cartilage) vectoring up and down — which is also highly indicative of anxiety (best viewed in the dynamic context of the video).
See also:
Nonverbal Communication Analysis №3858: Milo Yiannopoulos resigns from Breitbart with “Apology”
Nonverbal Communication Analysis №3856: “Belle” Clip — Beauty and the Beast
Nonverbal Communication Analysis №3842: Bill Belichick and Julian Edelman
Nonverbal Communication Analysis №3808: Felicity Jones’ Sincere Smile
Nonverbal Communication Analysis №3763: Matt Smith, Claire Foy and Where NOT to be stung by a Wasp
Nonverbal Communication Analysis №3691: Natalie Portman’s Emotional Tell
Nonverbal Communication Analysis №3605: John Kennedy, Hands on Podium and Body Language
This post and the associated website serve as reference sources for the art and science of Body Language/Nonverbal Communication. The views and opinions expressed here are those of the author. In an effort to be both practical and academic, many examples from/of varied cultures, politicians, professional athletes, legal cases, public figures, etc., are cited in order to teach and illustrate both the interpretation of others’ body language as well as the projection of one’s own nonverbal skills in many different contexts — not to advance any political, religious or other agenda.
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