Joe Biden’s historic address to America from the Oval Office – and his defiant body language – implies he still does not accept he should be stepping down.
Body language expert Judi James said the President’s regular finger jabbing during his speech last night was an attempt to show ‘defiance’ to the tens of millions watching in the US and around the world.
But his staring eyes showed he was ‘fearful, haunted and in a state of disbelief’ – and his regular gritting of teeth showed anger and a ‘reluctance to quit’.
And while he refused to discuss his own health, Mr Biden’s address also laid bare how it has faltered in the past year – with more mumbling and a lack of clarity.
‘His enunciation has eroded, even from his last appearances. Biden’s clearest moments have previously come when reading from autocue, but that clarity is sadly lacking here’, Ms James said.
Joe Biden’s expression showed a deep reluctance to give up on re-election, body language expert Judi James has revealed
Ms James just his finger to show anger and defiance during the Oval Office address
But there were certain signs he was uncomfortable when he avoided discussing his own health
Joe meshed his fingers as he backed Kamala Harris
And he pointed down the camera as he tries to keep the Democrats united
There were signs of confidence, but he did stumble through the speech
In his speech, Biden outlined his reasons for exiting the 2024 campaign while making the argument he could serve another four years if he chose.
He said he chose to ‘pass the torch’ to Vice President Kamala Harris because he believed it would unit the country and save democracy.
‘I believe my record as president, my leadership in the world, my vision for America’s future all merited a second term,’ he said in a primetime address from the Oval Office.
‘But nothing, nothing, can come in the way of saving our democracy that includes personal ambition so I decided the best way forward is the pass the torch to a new generation. There is a time and a place for long years of experience in public life. There’s also a time and a place for new voices fresh voices. Yes, younger voices,’ he said.
Judi James has studied the speech and given her verdict on what his body language really said about his health and frame of mind.
She said: ‘Joe Biden’s use of authority and control rituals and gestures suggest a deep sense of reluctance to quit. Silence his words and his non-verbal displays here would suit a more defiant message as though he were still clinging on to his role as leader.
‘His eye expression at the start reveals the depth of his inner emotions about being pressured to leave. His eyes are rounded and look fearful, haunted and in a state of disbelief, with the right brow raised in shock or surprise as the left is pulled down in a frown. His mouth is closed in a horizontal slit and there appears to be some clenching of his teeth when they are just visible’.
Ashley Biden hugs dad Joe Biden while Finnegan Biden wipes away tears
Hunter Biden gives his dad a hug
From right: Jill Biden, Ashley Biden and husband Howard Krein, and Hunter Biden and his daugther Finnegan listen to Joe Biden speak
President Joe Biden mumbled his way through an 11-minute farewell address to the nation and claimed he could have served another four years if he wanted to.
But Ms James said: ‘There is one gesture that appears to suggest he inwardly realises the truth of his situation as he says “To tell you the truth” and his left hand drops down to smooth or stroke his front torso and his chest rises as though bracing himself for his difficult message. There is a pause to suggest he is about to speak personally about any health issues.
‘But there is something of a swerve here. By-passing any reference to his health he talks about age and a “new generation”. He bolsters this swerve by placing the left hand out across his desk in a splay of status and confidence while his right hand is held in a signal of appeal’.
Biden did not address questions over his own age, health and mental acuity, which have plagued his presidency from the start.
Judi James said: ‘His verbal and non-verbal messages seem intended to make him sound and look like the one in power and the one making these decisions.
‘His “I need to unite my party’ comes with a point of authority towards the camera, with his brows raised suggesting some suppressed anger. The stabbing finger is repeated as he says “Nothing…nothing” in a verbal repetition to make himself sound firm.
‘At one point there is a placing of both hands out flat on the desk to suggest a desire to put a lid on what has happened and create calm, with him in charge and with the authority.
‘He bangs his index finger down onto the desk at one point suggesting an inner desire to fight, and his gestural displays seem to imply he might not yet accept the idea of stepping down in his heart, although he meshes his fingers in a more amiable-looking clasp as he talks about the election in November’.
President Biden addresses staff in the Rose Garden after his Oval Office speech
White House staff gathered in the Rose Garden to cheer on the president after his speech
President Biden‘s family and longtime, loyal staff cried as he addressed the nation about his decision to exit the 2024 campaign.
He was surrounded by his loved ones and those who helped make his political career as he spoke from the Oval Office. They applauded when he finished his 11-minute speech but they also wiped away tears.
First lady Jill Biden, his wife of 47 years, was the first by his side after he finished. She joined him at the Resolute Desk followed by son Hunter, who gave his dad a hug. Hunter’s daughter Finnegan and the Bidens’ daughter Ashley also hugged the president with Finnegan wiping away tears as she turned away from her grandfather.
Ashley’s husband Howard Krein was also present as were other Biden grandchildren including Naomi Biden Neal and her husband Peter Neal, young Hunter Biden (the late Beau Biden’s son) and Maisy Biden.
Staff in the room included Mike Donilon, Biden’s longtime aide who has been there since the start of his political career; press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre, and Biden’s deputy chief of staff Annie Tomasini.
‘This has been the honor of a lifetime,’ the president told them.
Then the crew joined other staff out in the Rose Garden, where ice cream – the president’s favorite treat – was being served.
‘Your Love Keeps Lifting Me Higher and Higher’ – one of Biden’s campaign songs – was playing.
One thing he did not address was his own health. Biden, 81, just recovered from a bout of COVID but it was his disastrous debate performance against Donald Trump, where he fumbled for words and stared blankly at times, that led multiple Democrats to call for him to exit the presidential race.
Biden fumbled a bit in his delivery, mumbling at times and speaking softly. But he used the address to outline his legacy, to explain his reasons for dropping out of the presidential race, and note he has more work to do in the six months he has left in office.
He said he revered the office but loves his country more.
‘I revere this office but I love my country more,’ the president said.
‘It’s been the honor of my life to serve as your president but the defense of democracy, which is at stake, I think is more important than a title.’
Biden made it clear he stepping down voluntarily, drawing a stark contrast between his predecessor. He didn’t mention Donald Trump by name but his meaning was clear when he talked about how the country is more important than the Oval Office.