https://www.google.com/search?q=why+do+polticans+always+have+people+nodding+behi...

“Politicians use background nodders on TV to visually signal unity, support, and the importance of their message, leveraging psychology (like the mere exposure effect) and creating an image of consensus and credibility, even if the nodding seems inauthentic or staged by media strategists to make leaders look more informed or relatable to certain demographics. This tactic aims to project confidence and approval, influencing viewers to feel more positive or agree with the speaker.
Why They Do It (The Strategy):
Project Unity: A sea of nodding heads suggests the politician's party, policies, and vision have broad, enthusiastic agreement.
Build Credibility: It creates a visual "chorus" validating the speaker, implying that even others (though unseen) find the message wise or important.
Target Demographics: Strategists place people who look like certain voter groups (e.g., middle-aged men) in the background to make viewers from those groups feel represented and more receptive.
Mere Exposure Effect: Seeing familiar faces in the background makes the politician seem more trustworthy and familiar over time, a subtle psychological trick.
Visual Reinforcement: The nodding motion itself encourages viewers to subconsciously nod along, creating a sense of agreement.
The Reality (Behind the Scenes):
Staged & Often Awkward: These aren't always genuine supporters but are often staffers or activists instructed to nod, leading to criticism for being inauthentic or "hostages".
Media Training: Spin doctors advise on the placement and even the style of nodding, though some politicians are better at it than others, notes The ABC's "Clarke and Dawe".
Backfired in the Past: The tactic can backfire if the nodding looks too forced or the individuals look bored, making the politician seem manipulative, says The Sydney Morning Herald and PerthNow.
In essence, it's a form of political "spin" designed to control the narrative and project an image, even if it's a manufactured one. “