A few presentation observations from the Trump nomination acceptance
Before Donald Trump spoke at the Republic National Convention, his son, Eric Trump, took to the lectern.
Looking at him, my first thought was that this was not a man who would be there without having a relationship to the key person of interest. Why? Well, he makes a good effort, but is not a man with that intangible x-factor. He has a slight physical presence with puny repetitive tight gestures, a voice filled with tension and stilted enunciation, followed by a weak curved arm fist-pump.
Interesting in itself, but now for the main act.
Trump slowly approached the lectern, adjusting his jacket as he walked. No bluff or bluster here. It was a reflective walk with a hidden smile/smirk. Some are saying the near-to-death experience has changed him, but it has made him no less aware of all his non-verbal behaviour and its impact.
This is a man with nothing to prove. He has narrowly escaped many disasters and the public are all here just for him. When he gets to his destination he slumps onto the lectern as if to say “I made it” and the crowd erupts in the chant “USA, USA, USA!”
The noise creates an electric atmosphere, being a brilliant musical accompaniment to the event and taking my thoughts to recent research for my book Gravitas and the acclamations of ancient Rome. This is a ‘claque-led’ chant (read the book) and we are watching great motivation techniques of history repeat! (Think Nuremberg rally with a modern twist).
Leaning on the lectern, squirming left to right like a cat that has the cream, Mr Trump eventually stands back and allows the adoration to soak in.
Starting his presentation, he turns the focus to his audience, thanking various people and saying he is here to address “friends, delegates and fellow citizens”. Flattering your audience is always a great start and he never misses it.
He then expresses his vision of success using his unusual lips-forward voice, listing imaginary achievements like a robot stating proven facts before announcing his acceptance of the nomination.
The crowd again goes crazy while he does that arrogant smile where the lips go tight and the bottom lip goes up over the top teeth.
More audience flattery, which never goes astray, ensues. Gratitude to the audience for their love and support following the assassination attempt is expressed.
Then the story of the assassination begins, not because he wants to tell it, he tells us, (I hear you crying out ‘codswallop’) but, he tells us, because so many have asked him to “please tell it”. Listen up here speakers. These are fabulous techniques that remove any notion of self indulgence.
He then begins the story in an astounding way, claiming “it was a warm, beautiful day and birds continued to fly” and then adds personal touches that no one else experienced, having witnessed firsthand the audience having “love written all over their faces”. Heavens above, that’s something I didn’t see for sure.
To the statement “I am not supposed to be here tonight”, the thousands and thousands of people in unison start chanting “Yes you are. Yes you are!”.
Again this is an organised chant by an organised claque. Why I say that is because it is an unusual phrase and it is cleverly made up of three words. This pattern of three makes it easy to repeat and having a group lead the chanting is essential to get the chant going and if you question the organisation behind it, try finding words you would like to have repeated next time you are at the football. See how you go. Good luck. It’s not that easy.
At the end, Trump replied, “But I’m not”, which didn’t make sense, but it was three words. He is the master of the three-word statement. It works magnificently, even when you have no idea what he is talking about.
He continues the story as if it was a recitation from the bible. He tells us he is “Standing in this arena” with “the grace of almighty God” and describes how he “rose surrounded by secret service” and “there was great, great sorrow” and “he could see it on their faces” and it was a “providential moment”. WOW!
He then wraps up in three words, saying he shouted: “Fight, fight, fight”.
It’s beautiful work, but from there, it turned into a ramble.
I adored to read from Chris Kenny that ‘Trump is gauche, abrasive, transactional, egotistical and unorthodox, but he is not the first horseman of the apocalypse.’
Quite rightly, yes, I think we are up to the antics, and quite frankly, I lost interest after that. It’s only funny in short bursts.
Let me know your thoughts.
What I’ve been up to…
Merri-Bek City Council 18th July 2024
Manningham City Council 19th July 2024
Australian Federation of Civil Celebrants 23rd July 2024
I’m coming to LONDON and EUROPE next month! I’m currently
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