Winner, Winner, Chicken Dinner: What the Trump-Albanese Meeting Really Revealed

Early bird for November Masterclass ends soon. Save your spot here.

Did someone say “End of year”!!!!

Yes, it is just about November and we all know in Australia, many of us race to the December deadline and drop in a heap.

I do hope you have achieved your goals this year.

My goal is for all the leaders in the world to know the skills of Gravitas. So how did the Trump and Albanese meeting go. Here are my thoughts:

What the Trump-Albanese Meeting Really Revealed

There was nothing spontaneous about the meeting between Donald Trump and Anthony Albanese, and that’s precisely why it worked.

This was theatre, choreographed and controlled. Two leaders with wildly different temperaments walked into the same frame and, for once, both seemed to come out smiling. But beneath the smiles, posture and handshakes lay a fascinating story of power, performance and politics - and a rare moment where a world leader stood their own against Trump.

Trump arrived in full “master-of-the-universe” mode. In his mind, he’s currently saving the world, juggling peace in the Middle East, smoothing over Russia and Ukraine, fresh from a meeting with Zelensky and preparing for one with Putin. The man is on a high. Albanese, by contrast, is still the diligent diplomat: earnest, cautious, a man not accustomed to commanding the spotlight.

Until now, their relationship has been practically non-existent. Their only previous encounter was a fleeting photo opportunity: Trump looked bored, Albanese looked starstruck — like a schoolboy spotting a rock star on the railway platform. That imbalance of energy said it all.

A surprising shift

But not this time. Trump was in a good mood, and when Trump is cheerful, doors open. From the first handshake, he allowed Albanese space to breathe. The Australian PM’s double-handed clasp and second pat — gestures Trump has never liked — were tolerated. He even let Albanese have the last word as they walked in.

That might sound trivial, but in Trump’s world, the last word is the last power move. He has wrestled world leaders — literally and figuratively — for the final pat, the final word, the upper hand. To let someone else have it means something significant has already been agreed.

So, yes - winner, winner, chicken dinner.

This meeting was extraordinary precisely because it gave a smaller nation such freedom for joy and banter with the President of the United States. Trump buoyed it along, laughing, joking and indulging every second of Albanese’s enthusiasm. The dynamic felt almost like a birthday party for the Australian Prime Minister: Trump on best behaviour, full of praise, even prompting Albanese to “thank him” — the American way — after a little too much speechifying from our end.

The Prime Minister’s performance

For Albanese, this was a breakthrough performance. Gone was the jaw-jammed mumbling and hesitation we’ve seen in the past. His sentences ran clear; he spoke loudly, strongly, and confidently. He initiated handshakes, interjected, laughed easily and mirrored Trump’s movements. At one point, when posing for photographs, he realised he was holding his signed document awkwardly across his chest — a classic rookie mistake — and instantly corrected it to match Trump’s stance. That’s body-language awareness in action.

Trump, remarkably, let him lead. That tolerance told its own story. Whatever deal or understanding was on the table, Trump clearly wanted it — enough to grant Albanese what few foreign leaders ever get: space to look like an equal.

The problem guest

But every good party has a problem guest, and in this case, that guest was Kevin Rudd.

When Trump turned to Australia’s Ambassador and quipped, “I don’t like you and I probably never will,” the room froze. Trump does not make those statements lightly. For an Ambassador who has previously posted public criticism of Trump, it was an excruciating moment.

Rudd’s reaction said everything. He froze, staring straight ahead while others turned to follow the conversation. He took to the water, visibly drained — the only person at the table still drinking. In the choreography of diplomacy, that’s not a footnote; it’s a fracture.

Having an Ambassador that the US President openly rebukes is untenable. One suspects the clock is now ticking for Rudd’s tenure in Washington.

A rare moment of control

For all that, the meeting itself was a triumph for Albanese. He looked relaxed, energised and, crucially, comfortable beside one of the world’s most dominant personalities. He laughed, he initiated, and — most importantly — he didn’t flinch.

For a leader often criticised for appearing reactive or tentative on the global stage, this was a different man. He projected presence. He used his voice. He matched energy with energy — a risky move with Trump, but on this day, it worked.

Trump’s body language was open, relaxed, and even indulgent. His tone was warm, his gestures large. He gave Albanese room to perform, to speak, to enjoy the moment. And that generosity is rare. Trump doesn’t hand out warmth for free — which makes you wonder what exactly was offered in return.

The unspoken takeaway

In politics, as in theatre, power is often less about words than the way they’re delivered. In this meeting, Albanese found his rhythm. For a brief moment, Australia looked confident, self-assured and at ease on the world stage.

The handshake said it. The mirroring said it. Even the laughter said it.

It may have been carefully staged but in communication, perception is power. And on this stage, Anthony Albanese walked away with a rare prize: Donald Trump’s respect, or at least his tolerance, which in Trump’s world may be the same thing.

Whatever was on the table, Trump wanted it and was willing to allow Albanese a small but symbolic victory to get it.

That’s politics through the lens of body language and this time, Australia came out smiling.

Let me hear your thoughts.

Love,

Dr Louise Mahler