Body language expert reveals the ‘truth’ about Kamala Harris’ ‘lame’ video message
A body language expert revealed on Tuesday what was really going on in a video message from Kamala Harris that has caused a firestorm of concern since it was shared with supporters earlier this week.
Many viewers were surprised by Harris’ apparently sloppy speech, with some speculating that the vice president appeared drunk as she thanked donors for their efforts three weeks after her crushing election loss.
Body language analyst Judi James, however, had a very different opinion.
James said the video clearly showed Harris’ great difficulty in expressing honest human emotions.
The expert said: ‘This is a very elaborate speech that combines Harris’ talent for the word salad with her signature body language rituals that try to convince you that you are listening to some extremely profound, motivating thoughts and messages.’
Online commenters compared the veep delivery to a “drunk aunt on Thanksgiving” and posted memes, including one with a liquor bottle and another with Harris looking disheveled and smoking a cigar.
At one point in the video, Harris audibly hiccups while speaking, further fueling that idea.
“I just need to remind you: Don’t let anyone take your power from you. You have the same power as you did before November 5, and you have the same purpose as you had. And you have the same ability to engage and inspire. So never let anyone or any circumstance take your power away from you,” Harris said in the video in a speech that was described as bizarre and worrying.
But James did not reach the same conclusion, instead suggesting that Harris almost strove to show emotion about the loss and empathy for her supporters.
“Her gestures are largely limp, including the wiggling finger, which implies a weaker impression than her words,” James said.
The vice president’s comments marked the first time Harris addressed her supporters since she delivered her concession speech the afternoon after the Nov. 5 election, in which she vowed to continue the fight.
Kamala Harris addresses supporters of her failed campaign in a video
Harris tried to convey a more cheerful tone in the video, and James noted that she began speaking with a “very playful greeting smile.”
“She purses her lips around the smile and talks through her smile, suggesting that nothing will stop the fun she loves to promote,” the analyst said.
Harris admitted in her message that the outcome of the campaign was not what supporters wanted, but urged them not to lose hope.
Harris “employs the nodding bat ritual used to make her words sound very important with this ‘importantizing’ technique, including raised eyebrows, a fixed look in the eyes (I see you!) and an often wiggling index finger,” stated James.
At one point, Harris nearly choked and put her hand to her throat and became even more scattered as she tried to finish her remarks.
Democratic presidential candidate, US Vice President Kamala Harris, calls on voters to campaign at the last minute at the Democratic National Committee
“The speech kind of fades towards the end when she talks about gathering Thanksgiving family around you in what happens on a word salad street,” James said.
“But overall she seems determined to keep this motivating for her audience, as if they’ve fallen – rather than for herself,” the expert said. ‘A bit like a worried mother egging their teenager on for a second attempt at failed exams or sports.’
Social media had a field day with the video as they edited the footage to manipulate the video of Harris holding or sitting on a bottle of alcohol.
One edited video shows Harris holding a bottle of Hennessy, while another shows her smoking a cigar.
“When you’re just minding your own business on Thanksgiving and your drunk aunt finds you…” wrote one user on X.
Another said: ‘I’m channeling the drunk aunt who is a total mess but follows you around after every Christmas dinner to give you unwanted life advice on the way out the door.’
