Starmer’s livid NATO remark blast might be ‘first second of standing as much as Trump’
Keir Starmer slamming Donald Trump’s comments about NATO troops in Afghanistan as ‘insulting’ could be his ‘first moment of standing up to Trump’, according to an expert
Starmer ‘appalled’ by Trump’s remarks on UK troops in Afghanistan
Keir Starmer’s furious response to Donald Trump’s comments about NATO troops in Afghanistan “could be his first moment of standing up to Trump”, according to an expert.
The Prime Minister branded Trump’s comments that NATO allies “stayed a little back, a little off the front lines”, as “insulting and frankly appalling” as he spoke to reporters at 10 Downing Street. The angry address showed a version of Starmer removed from the one who had an “active desire to please and flatter” Trump, with a body language expert Judi James saying this “could be his first moment of standing up to Trump to challenge or show public disapproval”.
But, Judi told the Mirror that “it does come down on a path that other leaders have trail-blazed this week”. French leader Emmanuel Macron and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney were among those who Judi says “tested the water for Starmer”.
READ MORE: Keir Starmer ‘wants apology’ from Donald Trump over ‘insulting’ NATO claimsREAD MORE: Keir Starmer’s ‘one tell’ in Trump NATO blast that reveals if it was just an act
Analysing the Prime Minister’s comments tonight, Judi said: “This could be his first moment of standing up to Trump to challenge or show public disapproval, but it does come down a path that other leaders have trail-blazed this week, like Macron, Carney and Meloni. They have tested the waters for Starmer and appeared to have been successful as a result.”
She went on to explain: “This statement by Starmer does sound more specific and even personal though and there are strong wrods like ‘insulting’ and ‘appalling’ that should leap off the page for Trump, unlike the use of the more emotive ‘such hurt’ which could suggest he’s seeking an apology to restore order.”
It marks a shift from the same Starmer who was seen laughing and joking with the President during his visit to the UK last year, when the Prime Minister appeared keen to build on the ‘special relationship’ between the two countries. Looking at their past interactions, Judi noted: “Starmer’s meetings with Trump to date have shown Starmer in a more conciliatory mode with an active desire to please and flatter to buff up the ‘special relationship’ . He has shown a desire to define a friendship and enjoys applying his signature arm and shoulder pats to register that.”
Looking at Starmer’s body language throughout his remarks, Judi said: “Starmer clearly wants to present a verbal and non-verbal tone of anger and indignation here and his ‘prepping’ gestures as he listens to his question suggest this is a well-planned and well choreographed performance to hit the right note in the UK. His hard, staccato blinking as he waits to start look almost like morse code messages of irritation. Exaggerated, rapid blinking like this can be a sign of aggressive arousal and the adrenalin burst that comes when the fight/flight mode has been triggered.
“His chest’s shallow heaving changes subtly to a faster and quicker rise as he waits to start and this also suggests an air of keenness and expectation as though he can barely wait to get stuck in. His rapid nods cut through the questions in a form of non-verbal interruption, suggesting impatience to say his piece and when that time comes he literally springs into life, taking control of the message by beginning with the words ‘Let me…’ as an announcement to his speech and throwing his hands up in the air in front of his torso in an ‘invisible brick’ gesture to add drama while suggesting a desire to take control of the problem.
“His voice comes as a shout to, again, suggest anger and indignation. By acting out his anger, indignation and a rather school head-style, more authoritarian approach when he clasps his hands in his fall-back pose, he seems to be role-playing the emotions that actually should be aimed at Trump himself rather than the interviewer he is talking to. This style of second-hand emotional mime suggests a desire to show the public how he will be when he speaks to Trump or to ensure he is seen as taking a strong stance on the public’s behalf.
“His head batons and his hand chopping gestures suggest a state of aggressive arousal and he very emphatically uses the word ‘I’ very heavily to suggest the ‘fight’ is a personal one. His ‘I consider Trump’s remarks to be insulting and frankly appauling’ are perhaps the strongest terms he could have used and mildly out of character. He delivers them with a sustained stare that suggests he is, again, role-playing a one-to-one with the President and he uses a dramatic pause as though allowing his words to sink in.”
