Nicki Swift reached out to Jess Ponce III, body language expert, communication coach, and author of “A.W.E.S.O.M.E,” to gain a better understanding of Donald Trump Jr. and Eric Trump’s nonverbal cues during the trial. According to Ponce, Donald Jr. and Eric’s decision to portray themselves as a persecuted family is proof of their media literacy. “This self-awareness is evident through their confident and assertive demeanor, marked by their bold responses and self-assured expressions, as they purposefully advocate their innocence,” said the body language expert. However, Donald Jr. and Eric are approaching the trial differently.
For instance, “Don Jr. stands tall with his shoulders back, maintaining a forward gaze and employing humor and charm to project an image of being unfazed by the court case,” Ponce noted. “In doing so, he inadvertently reinforces a perception of privilege and elitism, which he seems to wear as a badge of honor.” Eric, however — who NBC reported looked uncomfortable as Judge Engoron reprimanded their lawyer, Chris Chise, over “misogyny” against his law clerk — opts for a “less charming and more direct approach,” which reads as combative. “Contempt is palpable in his eyes and facial expressions, giving rise to an unmistakable sense of superiority in his testimony,” Ponce added. Ultimately, Eric doesn’t seem to appreciate being “questioned or challenged.”
