DONALD Trump’s right-hand man JD Vance took the upper hand in the US vice presidential debate – leaving Tim Walz looking “scared”, says a body language expert.

Patti Wood told The Sun that Vance won the evening from the very first handshake as he managed to come across as “powerful” compared to Walz’s “nervous energy“.

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A ‘powerful’ JD Vance took the upper hand in the US vice presidential debateCredit: AFP

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JD Vance won the VP debate from the first handshake through his use of an ‘encompassing handshake’Credit: Getty

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Vance would often look directly at Walz when he spoke whereas Walz would look down, Patti foundCredit: Getty

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Walz appeared ‘nervous’ and ‘scared’ to the body language expertCredit: AFP

Democratic nominee Walz was seen making several high-profile mistakes throughout the debate.

He claimed he befriended a “school shooter” before also mixing up archenemies Iran and Israel in the bumbling display.

Whereas Vance was a picture of calm with his prepared answers coming off as odd at times yet feasible to those watching on.

Despite all the talk, Patti Wood says she was quickly aware which of the two was set to win the debate on Tuesday before any words even left their mouths.

She said: “Vance won the handshake by doing what is called a glove or encompassing handshake.

“Putting his left hand high on the arm of Walz.”

This showed to the viewers how Vance was in control of the situation by coming across as the more powerful and charming of the two.

Vance’s charm and even his good looks are a key trait he uses to put voters at ease, Patti claims.

Patti said: “Vance had a stronger start because he started his response with a message that had nothing to do with the question so he was able to look warm and likeable.

“Someone that is highly charismatic has in affect superpowers. They are able to persuade and motivate others to their viewpoint.”

Walz came across as much less approachable through a slow start with his own answers.

The body language expert says: “Walz looked scared. He had vocal fry which affects how powerful he is.

“He had a micro facial expression of sadness as he finished his answer to the first question.”

Vocal fry is a speech pattern that involves a person speaking with a low and breathy tone, often making them sound panicked and stressed.

Another key difference between the two rivals was how each of them acted when the other spoke.

Vance would be focused on Walz’s responses and often look over at him and initiate eye contact to place a sense of pressure on his opponent.

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At multiple points throughout the debate Walz would write in his notepad showing potential ‘nervous energy’Credit: Getty

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Vance’s charisma was described as a ‘superpower’ by PattiCredit: Rex

Walz provided a huge contrast as he would typically look down and write notes on a piece of paper as Vance looked directly into the camera.

Patti said: “The pen in Walz’s hand is an interesting choice. He is actively taking a lot of notes.

“Holding the pen and writing may be a way of channelling his nervous energy.

“Vance not taking notes in contrast makes him look less stressed.”

Despite his confidence, Vance has been accused of being misinformed on several points in the debate.

I am gob smacked with how easily he handles himself when caught

Patti Woodbody language expert

Patti described his ability to keep up his clear, smooth and confident speech patterns as interesting “even when making false statements”.

She said: “He keeps mentioning how his mother overcame drugs and his delivery when he speaks is warm and positive and he smiles.

“When in reality, he rejected his mother and spoke badly about her for years.

“I am gob smacked with how easily he handles himself when caught.”

This theme of being happy and positive when referring to serious topics is a trick he pulls several times throughout the debate.

When being asked about how mass deportation will take place Vance gives off an odd smile.

He also seemed pleased to talk about the “bleeding” of immigration, Patti found.

She said: “Note his use of the word bleeding as a metaphor for immigrants in the US.

“In content analysis word choice has impact and the word bleeding implies something horrific.”

He is also very good at launching seething attacks at Kamala Harris both through his strong words but also his facial expressions.

When Vance talked on immigration he blamed the rising issue on Kamala Harris.

As he spoke he managed to manipulate his face into showing suppressed anger by having a downward, turned mouth, with his cheeks puffed up slightly, Patti says.

By this point in the debate Walz had started to grow in confidence.

Patti said: “Waltz gives a confident and energetic delivery with his hands coming out and down in his answer and response to Kamala Harris and their work towards immigration.

“Waltz also speaks with sincere para-language about his belief through the voice, tone and speaking rate.”

But again his rising confidence was overshadowed by Vance’s brashness which appears to throw Walz off at points.

It often leads him to begin speaking in a rushed manner despite the statements being truthful, passionate and sincere.

This was the most striking statement in the debate. If women viewers were watching and listening, I believe they would think he would work to help them

Patti Woodspeaking on Walz’s comments on abortion

Walz appeared at his most comfortable to Patti when he was asked about abortion.

She claims this may have been due to how Vance handled the delicate topic as he tried his best to give an non answer to the question.

In response Walz appeared to look like he is “in pain” as Vance spoke.

When he is asked a similar question Walz answers with “great energy and passion”.

“Walz’s most impassioned response was as he said ‘how can we say that you’re right to control your own body is a matter of geography’, she said.

“This was the most striking statement in the debate. He sounded and looked strong and powerful and believable.

“If women viewers were watching and listening, I believe they would think he would work to help them.”

Patti was also impressed with his use of gestures at this point to convey his points.

She added: “Note how he points his finger holding the pen as he makes the statement ‘we trust women we trust doctors’.

“His nonverbal delivery is impassioned and sincere.”

BACK AND FORTH

Walz and Vance also fought over housing and healthcare during a largely civil but occasionally testy debate.

On the topic of gun violence in schools, Vance called for more security in school buildings, including stronger windows and more resource officers.

Walz began his answer by stating his support for responsible gun ownership and saying he was a hunter, before calling for better checks.

“We understand that the 2nd Amendment is there, but our first responsibility is to our kids,” he said.

He also brought up that his 17-year-old child had witnessed a shooting at a community center during a volleyball game.

“Those things don’t leave you,” he said.

This brought a rare moment of togetherness between the pair, as Vance offered his condolences and said: “I’m sorry about that.”

Walz appeared to misspeak when he said that he had “become friends with school shooters.”

On housing, Vance blamed the Harris administration “for letting in millions of illegal aliens into this country,” and driving up housing costs.

Walz pointed to the city of Minneapolis in his state as a housing affordability success story.

JD VANCE VS TIM WALZ

Minnesota Governor Tim Walz and Senator JD Vance both had full lives before becoming politicians.

Walz and Vance both served in the military. Walz was in the Army National Guard for 24 years, and JD Vance was in the US Marine Corps for four years.

The veterans both share a love for Diet Mountain Dew.

Walz spent most of his early adulthood as a high school teacher and taught for one year in China after graduating college.

In 1999, he was the faculty advisor for the first ever Gay Straight Alliance at the high school he worked for.

Walz didn’t foray into politics until 2004 when he volunteered for John Kerry’s presidential campaign.

In 2006, he ran for Congress and beat incumbent Republican Gil Gutknecht. He served until 2019, when he was elected Minnesota’s governor.

Kamala Harris announced Walz as her running mate on August 6.

Vance’s rise to politics came after his tumultuous childhood in Ohio. He went to college at Ohio State University after serving in the Marines.

Following undergrad, Vance attended Yale Law School, where he started writing his bestselling memoir Hillbilly Elegy.

Vance briefly worked in politics before moving to the technology sector in California, where he met venture capitalist Peter Thiel.

In 2016, he published his book and became a household name in popular culture.

Vance, who was once staunchly anti-Donald Trump, ran for Senate on a pro-MAGA platform in 2022 and was elected with Trump’s blessing.

Donald Trump announced Vance as his running mate on the first day of the RNC in July.

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Walz grew in confidence as the debate went on, Patti claimsCredit: Reuters

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Vance was the clear winner of the debate for many despite his points being picked up on as liesCredit: AFP