Trump v Harris: How body language spoke as loudly as the words

Body language spoke as loudly as the words as Kamala Harris and Donald Trump clashed in their election debate in Philadelphia.

The performance by Ms Harris was described as being the opposite of President Joe Biden’s in June – when a muddled display set into motion a party revolt and the 81-year-old incumbent drop out of the 2024 race for the White House.

While Mr Biden gazed away from the cameras during his debate with Mr Trump, Ms Harris looked comfortable addressing viewers directly.

Trump v Harris debate live reaction

The 59-year-old also used strong facial expressions to answers from her 78-year-old rival that she found either ridiculous or amusing.

The tone was set before a word had been exchanged when Ms Harris strode confidently across the set to shake Mr Trump’s hand – another break with the previous debate when Mr Biden and his rival did not do so.

Body language expert Mark Bowden said: “It was a power move. I don’t think he was expecting that.”

The vice president reached out her hand and said: “Kamala Harris”. It was the first time she and the former president had met each other in person.

Ms Harris maintained an expressive face, raising her eyebrows, laughing, and looking on as if in disbelief as her rival spoke – while Mr Trump continued to look serious, occasionally pursing his lips or shaking his head.

“Their approaches were very different,” said behavioural scientist Abbie Marono.

“He didn’t address her. He didn’t orientate toward her when he was speaking. She was also very emotionally responsive towards him.”

Mr Trump and his allies have spread false rumours in recent days, alleging immigrants in an Ohio town are hunting pets.

Despite the local authorities saying there is no evidence of such things happening, Mr Trump repeated the story: “They’re eating the dogs, the people that came in, they’re eating the cats,” he insisted.

“Talk about extreme,” Ms Harris interjected, laughing and appearing to gently mock Mr Trump with her hand as the TV moderator confirmed the rumours were not true.

Throughout the debate, both candidates raised their voices.

Ms Harris frequently turned and pointed towards her opponent as she spoke, while Mr Trump mostly looked straight ahead.

The Republican candidate spent much of the 90-minute debate grasping the lectern and leaning forward, never facing Ms Harris and only pointing at her as he kept his head forward.

In contrast, the facial expressions displayed by Ms Harris were captured on the split screen adopted by the TV debate hosting network, ABC News.

She baited Mr Trump into responses that were at times reminders of his wild rhetoric and fixation on the past.

But Ms Harris appeared to get under her opponent’s skin the most when she went after his performance at his rallies, noting people often leave the events early.

Growing visibly irritated, Mr Trump insisted his rallies were larger than hers, prompting smiles from his rival.

Both candidates stayed behind their podiums at all times, not allowing expressions or reactions to spill across the stage.