Donald Trump’s hush money criminal trial commenced on a rocky note. The former president, visibly perturbed, learned on day one that he might miss his youngest son’s graduation. Trump’s legal team, on day two, diligently worked to prove juror bias against him, arguing that juror sentiment towards the former president was a crucial aspect of the case (via NBC News).
Throughout the trial’s initial days, Trump’s tired appearance, characterized by prominent pink eye bags contrasting against his signature spray tan, became a subject of online speculation and jokes.
To decipher Trump’s demeanor, Nicki Swift consulted body language expert Traci Brown, CSP. Brown analyzed some of Trump’s physical cues, noting that while body language doesn’t definitively indicate tiredness from a scientific perspective, Trump’s slumped shoulders and downward gaze suggest negativity. Brown observed, “He tightens his lips and pulls them in over his teeth a bit. That shows stress and holding back emotion.” Furthermore, “We see his trademark anger show in his eyebrows. He was more relaxed in his forehead before that.”
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Did the former president fall asleep in court?
Addressing rumors of Trump falling asleep during the trial, Brown pointed out that anyone in his position would likely feel exhausted. Multiple reports suggest Trump nodded off during the trial’s first day. Maggie Haberman of The New York Times witnessed Trump resting his head on his chest and sleeping for several minutes before waking up (via The New York Times).
Susanne Craig, another NYT reporter, shared her account of Trump’s courtroom nap on MSNBC, noting, “He looked like he was nodding off and at one point in a pretty true tell that he was falling asleep, his head nodded down and then he sort of jolted back up at one point” (via CNN).
Dr. Chris Winter, a neurologist and sleep expert, suggested that Trump’s courtroom nap may indicate inadequate rest. “Anytime we fall asleep in a stressful situation, those are indications that your brain is prioritizing it,” Winter explained. He added, “Someone who is able to fall asleep in jury selection is really someone who is at great risk and not an excellent sleeper” (via Daily Beast).
Both Brown and Winter agree that Trump’s position makes proper rest difficult.
