An eagerly anticipated face-to-face meeting between Anthony Albanese and Donald Trump has finally taken place, but according to a body language specialist, the selfie resulting from their encounter offers little reassurance.
The Prime Minister met with Trump during a nighttime gathering for global leaders at the United Nations General Assembly in New York on Wednesday, Australian time.
‘Good to chat with President Donald Trump at US welcome reception for world leaders attending United Nations General Assembly,’ the PM posted.
But body language expert Dr Louise Mahler has warned the smiling photograph is less than comforting for Australians.
Offering her first impressions, she told Daily Mail her attention was immediately drawn to Albanese.
‘Albanese looks so excited, it’s not a joke. He is overexcited – that’s not a smile, that’s delirium,’ she said.
‘He looks a bit sycophantic to me. Albanese is beyond hysterical with excitement, (but) Trump is faking the smile.’
Dr. Mahler discussed the Duchenne smile, which is a genuine expression of happiness, noting that a true smile involves sideways movement of the mouth and crinkling of the muscles beneath the eyes.
A selfie taken by Anthony Albanese alongside Donald Trump prompted concern from body language analyst Dr. Louise Mahler, who compared the two to a schoolboy and a wax figure.
‘In the photograph, it’s evident that Trump isn’t displaying a Duchenne smile; rather, he’s showcasing a forced smile with only his mouth while his eyes are raised. This indicates it isn’t an authentic smile,’ she explained.
‘He looks like a wax model, if I’m honest. The expression on his face is not a natural look. It’s not inspired by emotion.
‘His expression looks like it’s very consciously manufactured and therefore, something that someone who was doing a wax model would create.’
Dr Mahler added that the difference between the two men was stark in the photo: ‘It looks like the rich man and the poor man.’
‘One (Trump) has the dark suit, the blue tie, the teeth, the tan,’ she said.
‘The other (Albanese) looks like a public servant with a grey suit, big glasses, and the teeth are not as white.
‘It looks like a schoolboy having a photo with the headmaster.’
The expert also commented on the leaders’ body language, pointing out that Trump leaned slightly forward, whereas Albanese was standing upright.
Dr Mahler said the ‘gold standard’ of posture was former US President Barack Obama
Dr Mahler said Albanese’s smile was ‘delirious’ (left) while Trump gave a fake smile that was signaled by the way his eyes lifted (right)
‘I imagine Albanese jumped in. He looks like he’s moved to that position, jumped in, pressed against Trump, and grabbed the photo,’ Dr Mahler said.
But she said Trump looked exhausted, adding that it is not unusual.
‘The pinch between the eyebrows would say he’s not interested in being there. It’s boring, it’s duty,’ she said.
‘The pinch between the eyebrows, the head forward, the false teeth, he doesn’t look human.’
For those wanting to project strong leadership, Dr Mahler said it is critical to stand balanced upright on both feet.
An example of what to avoid, she said, was the apology press conference by Optus CEO Stephen Rue on Friday when he announced there had been a 13-hour triple-0 blackout on Thursday that was linked to up to four deaths.
‘He did his speech standing on one leg. This is not balanced, it doesn’t look like one is committed physically to the engagement,’ she said.
‘So standing straight on two feet is best, with the head balanced on the body, which means that the back of the neck is straight. Heads off the body are about tiredness or lack of interest.
Dr Louise Mahler highlighted that the hunched posture of Trump and beleaguered Optus boss Stephen Rue made them look uncommitted to their engagements
‘The gold standard on all of this was former US President Barack Obama. He was magnificent.
‘You would not catch Obama out standing on one leg, not up straight, not with his head. He would never put his head forward. He didn’t fake smiles.’
The photo of Albanese and Trump was taken at an event at the Lotte New York Palace hotel, hosted by the US President and First Lady Melania Trump.
Attended by more than 100 world leaders, it marked the first time Albanese and Trump had successfully met in person after multiple snubs and failed attempts.
The Australian leader attended the reception, held on Tuesday night US time, alongside his soon-to-be wife, Jodie Haydon.
He and Trump will sit down for a formal meeting on October 20, Albanese confirmed during a press conference on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly.
The meeting is expected to be a substantial engagement, potentially including an Oval Office audience.
Albanese will return to the US for the second time in a month for the stand-alone trip.
Albanese failed to secure an in-person meeting with Trump during the UN General Assembly.
