Joe Biden’s historic address to America from the Oval Office – and his defiant body language – implies he still does. He does not accept that he should resign.
Body language expert Judi James said the president’s constant finger pointing during his speech last night was an attempt to show “defiance” to the tens of millions of people watching in the United States and around the world.
But his staring eyes showed he was “frightened, distressed and in a state of disbelief” – and his constant clenching of teeth showed anger and a “reluctance to give up”.
And while he declined to discuss his own health, Biden’s speech also laid bare how it has faltered over the past year, with more mumbling and a lack of clarity.
“His ability to express himself has eroded, even since his last few appearances. Biden’s clearest moments came earlier when he was reading the speech, but sadly that clarity is missing here,” James said.
Joe Biden’s expression showed a deep reluctance to give up re-election, revealed body language expert Judi James
Ms. James only used her finger to show anger and defiance during the speech in the Oval Office
But there were certain signs that he felt uncomfortable when he avoided talking about his own health.
Joe put his fingers together as he endorsed Kamala Harris
And he pointed down at the chamber as he tries to keep Democrats united.
There were signs of confidence, but he had trouble delivering his speech.
In his speech, Biden outlined his reasons for withdrawing from the 2024 election campaignHe campaigned arguing that he could serve another four years if he so desired.
He said he chose to “pass the torch” to Vice President Kamala Harris because he believed it would unite the country and save democracy.
“I believe my record as president, my leadership in the world and my vision for America’s future merited a second term,” he said in a prime-time address from the Oval Office.
“But nothing, absolutely nothing, can stand in the way of saving our democracy, not even personal ambition, so I decided that the best way forward is to pass the torch to a new generation. There is a time and a place for long years of experience in public life. There is also a time and a place for new voices, fresh voices. Yes, younger voices,” he said.
Judi James studied the speech and gave her verdict on what his body language really said about his health and mood.
She said: ‘Joe Biden’s use of authority and controlling rituals and gestures suggest a deep sense of reluctance to step down. Muting his words and non-verbal displays here would be fitting for a more defiant message, as if he were still clinging to his role as leader.
‘The expression in his eyes at first reveals the depth of his inner emotions at being pressured to leave. His eyes are round and appear fearful, distressed and in a state of disbelief, with his right eyebrow raised in shock or surprise while his left is furrowed. His mouth is closed in a horizontal slit and he appears to be clenching his teeth when they are barely visible.’
Ashley Biden hugs her father Joe Biden as Finnegan Biden wipes away tears
Hunter Biden gives his dad a hug
From right to left: Jill Biden, Ashley Biden and her husband Howard Kerin, and Hunter Biden and his daughter Finnegan listen to Joe Biden speak.
President Joe Biden mumbled during an 11-minute farewell address to the nation that he could have served another four years if he wanted to.
But Ms James said: ‘There is a gesture which seems to suggest he is inwardly realising the truth of his situation when he says ‘To tell you the truth’ and he reaches down with his left hand to smooth or caress his front torso and his chest rises as if he is preparing for his difficult message. There is a pause which suggests he is about to speak personally about some health problem.
‘But there is something of a change of attitude here. Without referring to his health, he speaks of age and a “new generation.” He reinforces this change of attitude by placing his left hand on his desk in a gesture of status and confidence, while his right hand is held out in a sign of supplication.’
Biden did not address questions about his own age, health and mental acuity, which have plagued his presidency from the beginning.
Judi James said: ‘His verbal and non-verbal messages seem designed to make him sound and appear 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, eyebrows raised suggesting some suppressed anger. The pointing index finger is repeated as he says “Nothing… nothing” in verbal repetition to appear firm.
‘At one point, we see the placement of both hands extended on the desk to suggest a desire to cover up what happened and create calm, with him in charge and with authority.
‘At one point, he taps his index finger on his desk, suggesting an inner desire to fight, and his gestures seem to imply that he may not yet accept in his heart the idea of resigning, though he does interlace his fingers in a more amiable-looking grip as he talks about the November election.’
President Biden addresses staff in the Rose Garden following his Oval Office address
White House staff gathered in the Rose Garden to cheer the president after his speech.
President Biden’s family and longtime loyal staff wept as he addressed the nation about his decision to drop out of the 2024 campaign.
He was surrounded by loved ones and those who helped forge his political career as he spoke from the Oval Office. They applauded when he finished his 11-minute speech, but also wiped away tears.
First lady Jill Biden, his wife of 47 years, was the first to be at his side after he finished. She joined him at the Resolute Desk followed by their son Hunter, who gave his father a hug. Hunter’s daughter Finnegan and the Bidens’ daughter Ashley also hugged the president, and Finnegan wiped away tears as she walked away from her grandfather.
Ashley’s husband, Howard Kerin, was also in attendance, as were other Biden grandchildren, including Naomi Biden Neal and her husband Peter Neal, younger Hunter Biden (son of the late Beau Biden) and Maisy Biden.
Among the staff in the room were Mike Donilon, a longtime Biden aide who has been there since the beginning of his political career; press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre and Biden’s deputy chief of staff, Annie Tomasini.
“This has been the honor of my life,” the president told them.
The crew then joined the rest of the staff in the Rose Garden, where ice cream, the president’s favorite treat, was served.
‘Your Love Keeps Lifting Me Higher and Higher’ – one of Biden’s campaign songs – was playing.
One thing he didn’t address was his own health. Biden, 81, has just recovered from a bout of COVID, but it was his disastrous debate performance against Donald Trump, where he was left speechless and at times staring blankly, that led several Democrats to call for him to drop out of the presidential race.
Biden faltered a bit as he spoke, mumbling at times and speaking softly, but he used his speech to summarize his legacy, explain his reasons for dropping out of the presidential race and note that he has more work to do in his remaining six months in office.
He said he revered his position but loved his country more.
“I revere this office, but I love my country more,” the president said.
“It has been the honor of my life to serve as your president, but I believe that the defense of democracy, which is at stake, is more important than a title.”
Biden made clear that he stepped down voluntarily, a stark contrast to his predecessor. He did not mention Donald Trump by name, but his meaning was clear when he said the country is more important than the Oval Office.
