Body language expert reveals the telling signs Kevin Rudd lost control in meeting with Anthony Albanese and Donald Trump
A body language expert has highlighted the key sign Kevin Rudd was rattled by his telling off by US President Trump: he was the only person in the room to repeatedly reach for a glass of water.
Dr Louise Mahler told the Daily Mail the non-verbal cues of Anthony Albanese, Donald Trump and Rudd at their meeting at the White House on Tuesday 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.’
But Rudd, if anything, shut down after Trump told him: ‘I don’t like you and I never will.’
Dr Mahler claimed the key giveaway that the country’s ambassador to the US was stressed was the fact that he repeatedly reached out for his glass of water.
Rudd also appeared to shrink from view, with Dr Mahler saying that he almost ‘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 Louise Mahler said Anthony Albanese initiated the handshake, secured the last word as he entered the building, a rarity with Trump, and spoke without interruption
Dr Mahler said Kevin Rudd (pictured) appeared visibly rattled following Trump’s comment
Dr Mahler said Rudd was visibly rattled after Trump’s comment.
‘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.’
Meanwhile, Albanese thrived.
Albanese initiated the first handshake with Trump and secured the last word as he entered the White House – a rarity with the US President. He also 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.’
Kevin Rudd (right) was cagey and quiet, compared to Albanese (left) who was confident
Dr Mahler praised Albanese, saying every interaction with Trump was ‘positive’
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.’
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.
The Opposition has called for Rudd to be removed as ambassador to the US, after the meeting
‘Trump held the signed document to the side, that’s good practice,’ Dr Mahler explained.
‘Albanese first held it in front of his chest, then quickly copied Trump.’
On Tuesday morning, Opposition Leader Sussan Ley called for Rudd to be dismissed as ambassador.
‘Kevin Rudd really was the elephant in the room. It was a bit awkward. It has taken nearly a year to get this meeting and that has been a failing of the ambassador,’ she told Sky News.
‘When the ambassador is the punchline of the joke and the prime minister is actually laughing at him I think it tells you all we need to know about the fact it’s probably not reasonable he continue in the role.’
