Joe Biden made a final attempt to appear “strong and fit enough to lead” after Kamala Harris displayed a “tearful, emotional response” as top Democrats conceded defeat in the 2024 election, according to a body language expert.
The president, 81, and vice president, 60, delivered very different speeches in acknowledging Donald Trump’s significant victory, with their contrasting styles going beyond their words.
Body language expert Judi James told DailyMail.com that Biden’s gestures from the White House on Thursday morning “suggested a mature, calm authority.”
Observers noted Biden’s smile during his historic address, which James described as a “relaxed and upbeat response” and a “gesture of defiance from the man who clearly still wants to prove he was fit for office.”
In contrast, Kamala Harris had a “drawn facial expression” while facing the public, and though she used positive language about her loss, her “voice cracked as she spoke,” indicating “tearful emotional displays,” according to James.
Harris refrained from responding to Trump’s victory speech on election night and waited until Wednesday to concede.
Despite the disappointing loss, James observed that Harris used energetic body language to “rev up her crowd,” though her “drawn facial expression” betrayed her true feelings.
James further noted that Harris’ speech lacked substance, describing it as mostly “shouting clichés” and “word salad with emphatic gesticulation to give it authority and gravitas.”
By contrast, James noted Biden’s body language during his response to Trump’s win was far more poised, composed, and reflective.
“His delivery approach was gentle, paternal and wise,” James remarked. She added that Biden’s jogging entrance symbolized his perception of his own strength and fitness to lead.
“It was a gesture of defiance.”
“While Kamala Harris seemed to be energizing her crowd, smiling and repeatedly calling out ‘Good afternoon!’ Biden assumed a more mature role, calming the moment by raising his hands to pause applause and maintain control,” James continued.
“His eyes squinted, and he raised his hands as he focused on words like ‘Peaceful’ ‘Orderly’ and ‘Acceptance,’ contrasting with Harris’s repeated use of the word ‘Fight.’”
Although some viewed Biden’s wide smile during his speech as quiet satisfaction over Harris’ loss after she sidelined him, James said his body language indicated otherwise.
“His overall tone was one of calm acceptance rather than showing any resentment or bitterness,” she told DailyMail.com.
“It was his little jogging steps on his arrival that appeared choreographed to signal ‘I’ve still got it.’ It suggested subtly that things might have been different had he been in office.”
