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In a White House press briefing on Thursday, President Trump took a moment to try to cast Joe Biden as dishonest and disingenuous for using a teleprompter to deliver remarks--a device that Trump then claimed he is "not allowed" to use, and then proceeded to use hours later at a rally in Michigan.
You need only look at the countless photos and videos showing Trump using the devices over the years to know his claims are ridiculous. But for those who prefer a bit more of a scientific analysis, a doctor on Twitter has highlighted a different smoking gun: Trump's body language.
Physican and body language expert Dr. Jack Brown took to Twitter yesterday to break down exactly how he can tell Trump was lying using a simple physical cue that blew his psychological cover: needlessly adjusting his tie.
1/ THREAD: While Trump says, "I'm not allowed to use the teleprompter" and claiming that @JoeBiden has trouble using it, he displays a False Tie Adjustment.#BodyLanguageExpert #BodyLanguage #Trump pic.twitter.com/bepYcsllgn
— Dr. Jack Brown (@DrGJackBrown) September 10, 2020
During Trump's comments yesterday, he could be seen adjusting his tie at the precise moment he criticizes and mocks Joe Biden's use of teleprompter when delivering statements about the pandemic.
The tie adjustment appears at the 0:21 mark in this video from the presser.
Trump on Biden: “They ask questions and he starts reading the teleprompter. He says move the teleprompter a little bit closer please" pic.twitter.com/a8fXLRiSm9
— The Daily Wire (@realDailyWire) September 10, 2020
Dr. Brown says that it is precisely this so-called "False Tie Adjustment" that betrays Trump's dishonesty.
As he explains in a subsequent tweet, Trump's unnecessary fiddling with his tie as he criticizes Biden indicates that he feels uncomfortable and lacking in confidence.
2/ A False Tie Adjustment is one (of many) body language alpha upregulators displayed by people who are typically alpha, but find themselves in a low-confidence/low-emotional comfort emotional state.#BodyLanguageExpert #BodyLanguage #Trump
— Dr. Jack Brown (@DrGJackBrown) September 10, 2020
In short, the President is uncomfortable because he knows what he's saying is untrue.
3/ SUMMARY: Trump knows he's lying. While he's not using a teleprompter in this moment, he often uses them and has significant trouble with teleprompters.
END#BodyLanguageExpert #BodyLanguage #Trump
— Dr. Jack Brown (@DrGJackBrown) September 10, 2020
Indeed, despite his repeated claims over the years to the contrary--and even suggesting during the 2016 campaign that candidates be forbidden by law from using them--Trump regularly uses a teleprompter during public appearances.
During yesterday's Michigan rally, Trump even directly acknowledged his use of a teleprompter in his comments.
After criticizing Joe Biden for reading a teleprompter, President Trump learns something new about what his administration has done mid-speech while reading a teleprompter, and then asks the teleprompter operator to back up so he can see the words again pic.twitter.com/qrILQoKOYI
— Josh Campbell (@joshscampbell) September 11, 2020
On Twitter, many people were not at all surprised by Dr. Brown's conclusions.
trump is a straight up liar. https://t.co/aNJVsR6NTT
— The Elephant Watcher (@ElephantWatcher) September 10, 2020
Pure unadulterated BS, about things that don't even matter. Empathy free zone in his head. https://t.co/mPIDv4Owpj
— Garden Expressionist (@aayers324) September 10, 2020
Seems like he'd be easy to beat in poker
— ThoroughlyModernMelissa (@AuntiPha) September 10, 2020
I didn't need all that to know he's lying 🙃
— Nan Seabolt (@nancbolt1069) September 11, 2020
And others pointed out that while Trump may not have been using a teleprompter in this particular press conference, it seemed clear he was reading off of something.
He may not be reading from a teleprompter but he shifts from impromptu speech to reading prepared statements. I'd bet money he has an iPad there in front of him or some other form of notes.
— Aujourd'hui Resists ✊🏾✊🏽✊🏼🇺🇸💙💚 (@dwelch816) September 10, 2020
And looks down to read prepped text https://t.co/FqoGt2ReVl
— ClaireakaMinnie!BountiesKhashoggiCovid (@ClaireakaMinnie) September 10, 2020
And of course, others pointed out the many examples of Trump using a teleprompter, including on the same day as his comments about Biden.
He's at the Michigan rally right now speaking from a teleprompter.
— KL (@kepilopaka) September 11, 2020
At the 9/11 ceremony in Shanksville, PA Trump either has a memory that no other human has or HE'S READING OFF A TELEPROMPTER just 1 day after saying "I'm not allowed to use a teleprompter!"
What a jackwagon lying a**hole. He probably lies about how many poops he takes daily too! https://t.co/026p156fI5
— CovidKimIA (@CovidKimIA) September 11, 2020
I know he uses them, because I know someone who used to work in WH and has to run the teleprompter for him.
— BitchesInTheBubble💙 (@FullOnBitches) September 10, 2020
Aren't these things teleprompters? pic.twitter.com/TJxGLUw8nD
— 🔸️Distant Dust Bunny🔸️ (@Dust___Bunny) September 10, 2020
Trump's has since used a teleprompter at this morning's 9/11 commemoration ceremony in Shanksville, Pennsylvania.