Additional Coverage:
- Body language expert weighs in on Kash Patel’s alleged ‘secret hand signals’ during Senate testimony (irishstar.com)
Online Speculation Swirls Around FBI Director’s “Secret Hand Signals” in Resurfaced Video
A video clip of FBI Director Kash Patel testifying before the Senate Judiciary Committee last September has ignited a firestorm of speculation on social media, with online sleuths suggesting he was making “secret hand signals.” The footage, which has recirculated on X following the release of additional Jeffrey Epstein files, shows Patel appearing to tug at his earlobe and make other gestures while reading a document.
During the hearing, where Patel addressed his leadership of the FBI, the investigation into Charlie Kirk’s assassination, and the Epstein files, the FBI director was seen reading a document, then glancing up directly at the camera. He appeared to take a deep breath, tugged on his earlobe, looked at the camera again, removed his glasses, and ran his hand behind his ear, repeating the earlobe tug.
Social media users quickly pounced on these actions, theorizing that Patel was communicating through hidden signals. One X user questioned, “The moment Kash Patel finishes reading the papers, his entire demeanor shifts instantly.
Then he makes two secret hand signals to someone off-camera. Why would the FBI Director need to do that?”
Another commented, “Look how uncomfortable the Director of the FBI Kash Patel looks as he’s reading some papers. As he reads on and gets more sweaty he does 2 hand signals to someone obviously watching him!
Not suspicious at all hmm.”
However, body language expert Judi James has offered a different interpretation, suggesting that Patel’s actions may simply be a “self-comfort ritual.” James explained to the Irish Star that “Many people perform this act of auto-contact as a self-soothe or self-comfort ritual under pressure.” She added, “There’s no way of proving speculation that this might have been some kind of arranged ‘signal.'”
James observed that Patel’s body language did indicate he was “tense at times.” She noted, “Here he reads from one page, performing a small frown before his eyes come up off the page as though he is digesting the information on it.” She speculated that his gaze towards the camera or a specific spot could be due to “an interest in a camera or something else distracting his interest or gaze.”
Regarding the earlobe tug, James suggested it “could just be a habit ritual before he starts reading again.” She also posited that removing his glasses and smoothing his hair could be a “relic ritual or habit.”
Ultimately, James concluded, “Again, we get the lobe rub or tug, but there’s nothing here that would confirm anything more dramatic than a man just glancing through some notes he’s been passed and reflecting on the contents.”