Former U.S. President Donald Trump appeared full of praise when welcoming Canada’s new Prime Minister, Mark Carney, on the steps of the White House—but that didn’t stop him from briefly stepping into the role of director.
The meeting on May 6 marked the first between the two leaders since Carney succeeded Justin Trudeau, following his general election victory on April 28.
Lip reader Nicola Hickling, speaking on behalf of Slingo, analyzed footage of their initial exchange. According to Hickling, Trump congratulated Carney on “some beautiful win,” to which Carney reportedly responded, “It was a perfect win.”
Trump continued with compliments, calling Carney’s victory both “beautiful” and “perfect,” with Carney echoing the sentiment.
However, the tone quickly shifted. In what Hickling described as an abrupt pivot, Trump apparently instructed Carney: “Just turn your face and wave over there.” Carney complied, seemingly unbothered, before Trump offered thanks and acknowledged those around them after the microphones were turned off.
Trump then turned to Vice President JD Vance and other dignitaries, gesturing toward Carney and remarking, “I admire him.”
Body language expert Beth Dawson also weighed in on the interaction. She described Carney’s demeanor as “assertive with a subtle note of submission.”
“The elbow touch shows a desire to connect on equal terms,” Dawson noted. “His expression reflects determination—Carney is clearly not passive, though there’s a slight trace of intimidation.”
Trump, meanwhile, was described as displaying “an unmistakable show of dominance”—a tone that reportedly continued into their Oval Office meeting, where he refrained from repeating his past suggestion that Canada become America’s 51st “cherished” state.
Donald Trump and Mark Carney met on May 6 (Alex Wong/Getty Images)
Despite the ongoing tensions between the countries amid the tariff war, Trump and Carney doled out much praise on one another, with Trump describing Carney as a ‘very talented person’ and Carney branding Trump a ‘transformational president’.
Although, that didn’t stop Trump from mentioning Canada becoming part of America, to which the newly appointed prime minister echoed the same sentiment as his predecessor – Canada is ‘never [going to be] for sale’.
Carney said: “As you know from real estate, there are some places that are never for sale.
“Having met with the owners of Canada over the course of the campaign in the last several months, it’s not for sale. Won’t be for sale, ever.”
Nevertheless, ever the one to see a ‘no’ as another battle to overcome, Trump responded: “I say, ‘Never say never’.”
