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‘School boy and a rock star’: Body language expert on Albo and Trump’s selfie
A leading body language expert has analysed a viral selfie ofAnthony Albanese and Donald Trump and arrived at a stunning conclusion.
Natalie Brown
@natalieisbrown
September 25, 2025 – 12:39PM
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A leading body language expert has compared Anthony Albanese and Donald Trump to “a school boy and a rock star” in a selfie the two leaders took to mark them finally meeting.
Almost 300 days after the President’s inauguration, he and the Prime Minister shared a long-awaited – albeit brief – encounter at the United Nations General Assembly in New York.
“Good to chat with President Donald Trump at US welcome reception for world leaders attending United Nations General Assembly hosted by @potus and @flotus,” Mr Albanese captioned the photo on Instagram, which immediately went viral.
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Though the duo were all smiles, Dr Louise Mahler – one of the world’s leading experts in body language and leadership communication – told news.com.au there was more to it than meets the eye.
“There is a mismatch in power. One imagines a school boy and (a) rock star,” Dr Mahler said.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese with US President Donald Trump in New York. Picture: PMO
“Trump is front on and hunched forward. His head is off his body, with a slight frown, and his smile is clearly forced with only one part of the ideal ‘Duchenne smile’ (a genuine smile that engages the entire face) in place.”
The President’s “false white teeth are outstanding and out of place for (an) Australian perspective”, Dr Mahler added.
“This is someone having their photo taken, fulfilling their perfunctory duty. Trump’s physique looks exhausted by the whole experience.”
Mr Albanese’s body language couldn’t be more different, she said.
“(He) is pushed into Trump’s side, keen to get close. His smile is ecstatic – with his mouth wide and the eyes so engaged in the smile it almost looks like he is crying with excitement,” Dr Mahler said.
Mr Albanese will more formally meet with the President at the White House next month. Picture: NewsWire/Luis Enrique Ascui
Mr Trump’s ‘false white teeth’ (not pictured here) are ‘out of place for (an) Australian perspective’. Picture: Ludovic Marin/AFP
Equally at odds were the two leaders’ choice of attire – which could be symbolic of their “school master and school pupil” dynamic going forward.
“Trump has a dark suit and bright tie with a crisp white shirt and collar, whereas Albanese has a grey shirt, grey tie and his shirt looks less white and crisp,” Dr Mahler said.
“The image is the school principal and the student.”
The photo is “very different” from those of Mr Trump with former Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison, where the President “seemed more keen” than Mr Morrison.
That it was a selfie suggests “no time for professional photos. You might lose Trump. Grab it while you can!”.
Then-Prime Minister Scott Morrison with Donald Trump during his first administration in 2019. Picture: Alex Edelman/AFP
In his keynote speech at the UN on Thursday morning AEST – the first he’s ever delivered – Mr Albanese suggested it was unwise for Australia to rely on one powerful partner (like the US).
“The creation of the international rules-based order owes much to the post-war leadership of the United States of America,” Mr Albanese said.
“For the region Australia calls home, that stability has underpinned a generational economic transformation.
“But we cannot ask – and should not expect – any one nation to uphold the rules or guarantee the security on which all of us depend.”
The Prime Minister also seemed to call out the “great powers” – again, like the US – appearing to act in their own self-interest.
“The United Nations is much more than an arena for the great powers to veto each other’s ambitions,” he said.
“This is a platform for middle powers and small nations to voice – and achieve – our aspirations.”
Mr Albanese speaks at the 80th session of the UN’s General Assembly on September 24. Picture: Alexi J Rosenfeld/Getty Images/AFP
With a growing list of differing foreign policy positions, from global trade to the Middle East, Mr Albanese has a lot of ground to cover with Mr Trump when they meet in Washington DC on October 20.
Asked during a press conference earlier this week what he would raise with the President, Mr Albanese refused to “broadcast everything”.
He also dismissed a question on whether he feared being berated in the Oval Office, like Mr Trump did to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky earlier this year.
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“We have a good relationship,” the Prime Minister said, adding he and the President have “had respectful (phone) calls”.
“Australia and the United States are great partners. I expect (the meeting) to be very constructive.
“What we do is we have meetings, and we have them respectfully, and that means not foreshadowing everything we have in meetings at press conferences.”
Read related topics:Anthony AlbaneseDonald Trump
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