Body language expert questions authenticity of Trump-Albanese selfie at UN reception
Expert says Trump’s smile appeared staged while Albanese’s expression suggested excitement during their New York meeting
A body language expert analyzed a photograph of Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese with former U.S. President Donald Trump at a New York reception for world leaders attending the United Nations General Assembly and said the moment raised questions about the dynamic between the two leaders.
The scene unfolded at the Lotte New York Palace hotel, where more than 100 world leaders gathered for a U.S. welcome event ahead of the General Assembly. Albanese posted on social media that he had a chat with Trump during the reception.
Dr. Louise Mahler, described as a body language expert, contrasted Albanese’s posture and expression with Trump’s. Albanese appeared visibly excited, a characteristic the expert described as overexcited, while Trump’s smile was characterized as not genuine, seemingly involving only the mouth and not the eyes.
The expert cited the Duchenne smile, a genuine expression of enjoyment that typically engages muscles around the eyes, and argued the photo showed Trump with a staged smile rather than a natural one. The assessment drew a stark contrast between the two men, with Albanese described as appearing energized while Trump’s facial expression was labeled as consciously manufactured.
Posture also figured in the analysis. Albanese stood upright and forward, while Trump appeared slightly hunched, a stance the expert suggested can signal lower engagement in the moment. The observer noted that the posture differences in the image conveyed divergent levels of engagement with the encounter.
The expert referenced a broader point about projecting leadership through steady, balanced posture, noting that former U.S. President Barack Obama was held up as a benchmark for poised, genuine presentation. The analysis stressed that head and neck alignment, as well as a full-body stance on both feet, contribute to perceived confidence and connection in diplomatic settings.
The photograph captured Albanese and Trump at the reception, which was attended by more than 100 world leaders. Albanese attended the event with his fiancée, Jodi Haydon. Albanese subsequently confirmed that the two leaders would meet in a formal setting on October 20, with discussions expected to include an Oval Office audience as part of a stand-alone U.S. visit. The prime minister had previously indicated that an in-person meeting with Trump during the United Nations General Assembly had not been secured at that time.
Observers note that the image represents a single moment in a complex diplomatic relationship, and that body language analysis reflects interpretation of a snapshot rather than a full briefing on policy or intent. Albanese and Trump have not been described as long-time allies, and the upcoming October meeting will be viewed in the broader context of ongoing bilateral discussions between Australia and the United States.