Trump’s abrupt exit from an NBC interview is continuing to spark debate online – and now a body language expert says the president appeared visibly rattled as the conversation intensified.

NBC journalist Kristen Welker’s interview with President Donald Trump on Meet the Press didn’t end well. Trump abruptly left after she challenged his claim that California’s voting was rigged as counting continued in the mayoral race.

The interview quickly gained attention, with much of the discussion centering on Trump’s continued claims that the 2020 election was “rigged” and a controversial proposal aimed at compensating people who believe they were unfairly targeted by the government, including individuals arrested in connection with the January 6 Capitol riots.

After Welker pressed Trump to provide evidence supporting his claims about the 2020 election, the exchange quickly escalated.

Trump said, “All I have to do is look, and I listen,” to which Welker responded, “that’s not evidence.”

“They’re crooked. Just like you’re crooked,” Trump said.

Welker then responded: “To be fair, I’m not crooked. But let’s continue.”

The president continued, “You’re either crooked or you’re stupid,” and after another exchange said, “Let’s call it quits because I’ve had enough. Thank you darling, have a good time.”

Welker tried to continue the interview, but Trump interrupted.

“I’ve sat in the rain with you for an hour, on and off in the rain, and I’ve given you enough time. You ought to straighten out your press, because you know what? A country can never be great with a dishonest press.”

The president then gestured to people behind the camera, stating, “Come on, let’s go,” before standing up and walking off the set.

Donald Trump stormed off during an interview
Body language expert Darren Stanton later analyzed the exchange on behalf of Covers, arguing that Trump’s reactions revealed more than his words alone. According to Stanton, the president appeared “genuinely angry” during the interview.

“We see his eyes squint and his eyebrows pull together and down which is a clear micro-expression associated with anger,” Stanton explained, according to UNILAD. “Trump came across as really trying to ‘win’ and dominate the interview.

“He leans towards the interviewer in a likely attempt to intimidate. He was also using a lot of hand gestures to get into the interviewer’s personal space.”

As Welker continued questioning the president on several topics, Stanton believes the dynamic shifted.

“As the questioning intensifies we see him do what is called a ‘gestural retreat’ as he is thrown off from his plan,” he said.

The body language expert also argued that Welker’s refusal to back down played a role in Trump’s reaction.

“She was defiant and committed to keep the interview moving forward, not buckling under his intimidation tactics and that unnerved him.”

Per the BBC, Welker addressed the interview shortly after it was broadcast.

“I spoke with President Trump on Saturday and we both acknowledged the complications during the interview posed by the rain. He agreed to sit down with me for another Meet the Press interview.”