A communications expert weighs in on the presidential hopeful's animated gesticulation.
Beto O'Rourke is getting lots of attention these days — and not just because he's running for president. His wild hand gestures are the talk of the town.
Social media took note when O'Rourke posted a video announcing his candidacy and gesticulating on nearly every syllable. The presidential hopeful is often seen waving his hands and pointing at the audience during speeches and events.
Even President Trump has noticed, telling White House reporters when asked about the Democratic challenger, "I’ve never seen so much hand movement."
"I said, ‘Is he crazy or is that just the way he acts?’" Trump said. "I’ve actually never seen anything quite like it. Study it, I’m sure you’ll agree."
Inside Edition spoke to communications expert Mary Civiello about whether O'Rourke's gestures could hurt him in his bid for president.
"I don't think it hurts him necessarily politically," she said, adding that O'Rourke is clearly just "a guy that moves a lot." "He's an energetic guy, he's just like a ball of energy. That is not a bad thing."
She continued: "He looks like he could take on the world and that's what he wants to do."
However, Civiello said it might benefit O'Rourke to rein in his movements some.
"The problem with that and with people who are extremely animated is that they lose potential impact," she said. "... If [O'Rourke] dialed it back just ever so slightly ... it would stand out."
As for Trump's criticism of O'Rourke, Civiello said she found it "a little ironic."
"Trump himself gestures a lot," she said, adding that Trump uses movement to great effect. "When Trump does gesture, he often does so in a way that illustrates his points."
"It makes people remember it," she said. "It adds impact."
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