A body language expert has given his opinion on the moments everyone is talking about from President Donald Trump's inauguration.
Judi James has decoded everything from Trump's arrival in 'alpha mode' at St. John's Church in Washington DC, to Jill Biden's subtle disdain for Joe.
James told Paddy Power that Trump's arrival was an expression of 'alpha mode at full throttle'.
'The chest? Bloated and spread out like a cock in a power pose. The spine? Upright enough to make a Buckingham security guard jealous,” she said.
'The expression? A combination of liplock and raised jaw that screamed, “I'm in charge.” Again'.'
James pointed to him and his wife Melania watching a fireworks show on Sunday night and said his entire personality screamed “serious business.”
As they kicked off the inauguration ceremony at St. John's Church on Monday morning, she said there was a subtle “power play” offered by Melania.
James said: 'Trump held Melania's hand, but this time it was Melania who made the first move, offering hers in a subtle 'power play'.
James told Paddy Power that Trump's arrival was an expression of 'alpha mode at full throttle'
Trump addressed it after a moment, suggesting an agreement between the two: her status and profile were part of the show this time.
'Even their outfits matched perfectly. It was a show of power couples, but it became fashion.”
James said the Trumps “gave a more pronounced show of unity” as they left the church.
Body language expert Judi James has analyzed the most important inauguration moments
Trump lifts the buckle (their held hands) a few times higher, almost waving as they walk to their car, as if signaling both pride in his wife and a friendly concern for her as they step off the sidewalk.
“Trump continues his 'putting his wife first' performance as they reach the car and place a guiding hand on her back,” she added.
'It is a gesture that combines care and choreography and completes their polished departure.'
Speaking about President Biden and his wife Jill, James noted that there was an awkwardness in the way the couple posed for the cameras.
“While Joe, Kamala and her husband come together to suggest unity, Jill creates a noticeable social divide between herself and the others – a gesture that suggests partial dissociation,” James said.
“As Joe extends his hand to Jill to lead her into the White House, she subtly leans back, her arms remaining firmly at her sides as if rejecting the gesture.
“Behind Joe's back, her expression drops for a moment, revealing a fleeting glimpse of tension.”
Speaking about President Biden and his wife Jill, James noted that there was an awkwardness in the way the couple posed for the cameras
James said Biden “seemed to be happy with it,” so he made adjustments to deflect attention from any awkwardness.
“When his wife refuses to hold his hand, he shifts his attention to Kamala,” James said.
But as he tries to hold hers, she takes her husband's hand instead, allowing Joe to pull away and walk next to Jill again.
“It's a moment that seems to suggest he's looking for support, but no such reassurance appears to be forthcoming.”
James said outgoing Vice President Harris also showed “subtle signs of discomfort” through her body language.
During the vice president's handover, she “rolled her shoulders slightly, as if orienting herself in the direction of the moment, while her hands fidgeted and loosened at her sides as she stood,” James said.
“Doug, on the other hand, seems much more sociable, leaning towards handshakes and making light contact with the Vances.”
James said Emhoff's “friendly” demeanor was in stark contrast to Harris' “steady, almost stiff smile.”
Trump was sworn in as the 47th president on Monday, returning to power with a promise to end America's decline and “completely and totally undo” the actions of the man who drove him from office four years ago .
The incoming president overcame impeachments, criminal charges and a pair of assassination attempts to secure another term in the White House, and he planned to take swift action after the ceremony.
Dozens of executive orders were prepared before his signing to restrict border crossings, increase fossil fuel development and end diversity and inclusion programs within the federal government.
The incoming Republican president's orders will begin the process of unraveling the Democratic agenda of Joe Biden, whose term ended at noon, just before Trump took the oath of office.
Declaring that the government is facing a “crisis of confidence,” Trump said in his inaugural address that under his administration “our sovereignty will be reclaimed. Our security will be restored. The scales of justice will be balanced again.”
Trump claimed “a mandate to completely and utterly undo a terrible betrayal,” promising to “give the people back their faith, their wealth, their democracy, and even their freedom.”
“From this moment on,” he added as Biden watched from the front row, “America's decline is over.”
