The recent U.S. election was a rollercoaster, captivating not just Americans but viewers worldwide.
After Donald Trump’s victory in the 2024 election, many turned their attention to Kamala Harris to see how she would respond to the loss. While some missed subtle body language cues, experts caught everything.
After a month-long campaign full of twists and turns, Republican candidate Donald Trump clinched victory with 295 electoral votes, securing his return as the 47th President of the United States.
Following her reported concession call to Trump, Democratic candidate Kamala Harris took the stage at her alma mater, Howard University, to address the nation and her supporters.
In her speech, Harris said, "While I concede this election, I do not concede the struggle that fueled this campaign—the fight for freedom, for opportunities, for justice, and for the dignity of all people."
The crowd erupted in applause as Harris approached the stage. Body language expert Patti Wood, author of Snap: Making the Most of First Impressions, Body Language, and Charisma, observed that Harris' body language exuded "power and confidence."
"Entering the stage alone, unintroduced, was a bold move," Wood commented in an interview with Unilad. "It sets a strong first impression."
Wood noted that Harris smiled broadly, waving and raising her arms high toward the audience—a series of "up" signals, suggesting happiness and confidence. "She looks like a winner," Wood remarked, adding that these gestures convey her inner strength.
As Harris began speaking, her open smile, lifted cheeks, and hand over her heart signaled sincerity. "Her smile isn’t fake. She genuinely feels the audience's support, which brings her joy," Wood observed.
However, Wood noticed shifts in Harris' demeanor as her speech progressed.
Harris began to take deep breaths, squaring her shoulders as if preparing for the weight of her message. At one point, her smile became tighter, conveying a mix of emotions.
"She gives a slightly sour smile, showing that the taste of what she wants to say isn’t sweet," Wood explained. "She says, 'the light of America’s promise will always burn bright,' but her voice carries emotion, and her eyes squint slightly. It’s a positive statement, but could’ve been delivered with more confidence."
Toward the end, Harris looked down, her brows drawn, with tight lips and a quivering chin, as if holding back tears. "She continues with, 'As long as we keep fighting,' her voice cracking slightly but her delivery stronger as she gestures with a pointed finger," Wood described.
The real "revealing moment," Wood noted, was when Harris mentioned President-elect Trump.
At one point, Harris says, "Earlier today I spoke to the incoming president." Wood observed a flash of mixed emotions on her face, blending happiness with sadness. When she addressed young viewers, Harris seemed to embody both resilience and vulnerability.
Her closing message was one of mobilization and perseverance, urging people to "organize, mobilize, and press on." Quoting an old saying, she added, "Only when it’s dark enough can you see the stars."
