Vice President Kamala Harris seems to be having a rough go at convincing anyone that she’s got a firm grip on her campaign. In a recent interview with CNN’s Dana Bash, Harris and her running mate, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, appeared to fumble through what was supposed to be a smooth PR moment. Instead, body language experts are saying it was anything but.
During her first sit-down with the media since declaring her run for president, Harris came off as “uncomfortable,” “hollow,” and lacking confidence, according to those who know a thing or two about reading people. Greg Hartley, a former Army interrogator, didn’t mince words when he said Harris seemed “overprepared,” almost as if she was trying too hard to stick to the script. Her body language gave her away when Bash dared to bring up Trump’s comment that she “happened to turn Black.” Instead of responding confidently, Harris avoided eye contact, fidgeted, and looked down—a classic sign that she was thinking hard about what not to say rather than responding naturally.
Hartley pointed out that Harris’s habit of looking down and to the right signaled she was trying to avoid saying something she’d regret. Meanwhile, looking down and to the left meant she was trying to figure out how to navigate her way out of the conversation. It seems she was prepped to avoid engaging on Trump’s level—probably because she’s got little else to say that doesn’t involve dodging tough questions.
And it wasn’t just Harris. Walz, who was there to provide some moral support—or perhaps to distract from Harris’s own shortcomings—wasn’t exactly at ease either. Hartley noted that Walz’s discomfort about his dubious military service record was apparent, and his role in the interview seemed more about making Harris feel comfortable than anything else. After all, Harris is apparently so predictable when she’s uncomfortable that she resorts to smiling, laughing, nodding, and spewing “word salad.” In other words, a lot of talking without actually saying anything of substance.
Body language expert Susan Constantine didn’t hold back either. She told Fox News that Harris didn’t exude the kind of confidence you’d expect from someone vying for the highest office in the land. According to Constantine, Harris’s frequent downward glances robbed her of any sense of authenticity or command. And when Harris started bobbing her head, it was a dead giveaway that she was scrambling to pull answers from the depths of her mind—answers she clearly wasn’t confident about.
Scott Rouse, another body language expert, echoed these sentiments, describing Harris’s performance as a “bobblehead” moment, where she was clearly having an internal debate with herself while trying to figure out what to say next. He pointed out that Harris seemed to be making it up as she went along, especially when discussing her reaction to President Joe Biden dropping out of the race. Rouse noted that Harris’s voice faded as she spoke, a classic sign of deception.
Even Judi James, a communication and body language analyst, chimed in, noting that Harris’s tone was one of “curt decisiveness” as she tried to assert herself. But when pressed about her flip-flopping on key issues, Harris seemed to reel back, as though she hadn’t anticipated being called out on her inconsistency.
In the end, it’s clear that Harris and Walz’s attempt at a friendly, reassuring media appearance fell flat. Their lack of confidence and dodgy answers only raised more questions about their competence and sincerity. And for a campaign already struggling with public perception, this interview didn’t do them any favors.
