A body language expert has described Anthony Albanese's meeting with Donald Trump a 'massive success', claiming the Prime Minister 'did Australians proud'.
Dr Louise Mahler told Daily Mail the choreography between Albanese and Trump at the White House spoke volumes about power, confidence, and crisis.
'This was a hugely positive interaction for Albanese,' Dr Mahler said.
'He was strong, he was clearly told, "Come on, go for it, power up," and he did. It was extraordinary because Trump doesn't allow that to happen to anybody.'
Dr Mahler claimed Kevin Rudd's performance was less than impressive and that Australia's ambassador to the US appeared to suffer a 'political crisis'.
Aside from his awkward exchange with Trump, she claimed the key giveaway that he was stressed was the fact that he repeatedly reached out for his glass of water.
She claimed his handling of the situation was so poor that the Albanese government would likely distance itself from Rudd.
According to Dr Mahler, every element of the meeting was meticulously staged to project harmony between Albanese and Trump.
'Every move is choreographed,' she explained.
'Trump can be unpredictable, but the message was clear: Albanese will be praised and honoured, and Trump will let it pass.'
Dr Mahler said the message played out in subtle but telling gestures.
Albanese initiated the handshake, secured the last word as he entered the building, a rarity with Trump, and spoke without interruption.
'Normally under stress, Albanese's jaw jams and he mumbles, but not this time,' Dr Mahler said.
'He followed the rules and did us proud.'
Dr Mahler said the optics were striking given Trump's reputation for dominance.
'Trump lets no one have the last word,' she said.
'For Albanese to achieve that shows how carefully this was managed.'
But while Albanese thrived, Rudd appeared to shrink from view, with Dr Mahler saying that he 'didn't exist'.
'He was sitting there motionless, pretending he didn't exist. When the incident happened, he had a complete panic attack,' she said.
Dr Mahler said Rudd was visibly rattled after Trump looked at him and said: 'I don't like you and I never will.'
'His mouth dried up and he grabbed a glass of water. Fifteen seconds later, he grabbed another,' Dr Mahler said.
'Nobody else was drinking water. These are signs of stress.'
Rudd's discomfort was compounded by his lack of engagement.
'When questions were asked, every head turned, not Rudd's. He stared straight ahead or at the table. He was in total shock,' Dr Mahler said.
'I personally think this was a life crisis, a political crisis.'
Dr Mahler said the contrast between the two Australians could not have been sharper.
'Albanese will dine out on that for the rest of his life,' she said.
'For Rudd, it was a politician's nightmare.'
Dr Mahler said the meeting itself, held against a backdrop of strategic cooperation and speculation over rare earth deals, was unusually warm by Trump's standards.
'Think of the bizarreness of it,' she said.
'They are different sides of politics. Trump praises nobody. It was really weird, which makes me wonder what's in that document they signed.'
Even in the photo-op, body language told its own story.