September 2025  | September 2025 | September 2025  |
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It was billed as a moment of high diplomacy, a proud moment for Fiji’s foreign policy, even. Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka, cane in hand, smiling for the cameras beside the President of the United States Donald Trump and his ever-poised wife Melania, with The Fiji Times breathlessly declaring that the pair “shared a brief moment” on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA).
But as the photos began to circulate, eagle-eyed viewers were left scratching their heads. Was this truly a meeting of global minds or a brush with some eerily lifelike mannequins?
The evidence is almost too perfect to ignore. In each and every photo from the event, be it a prime minister, a philanthropist, or an obscure delegate, Donald Trump and Melania stand in precisely the same positions, wearing precisely the same clothes, with precisely the same smiles, in front of precisely the same backdrop. Trump's thumb, raised optimistically skyward, doesn’t budge. Melania’s hair doesn’t shift by so much as a strand. Their expressions are so identical from one photo to the next that one suspects they might be battery-operated.
It’s a photographic déjà vu so complete that the images look less like a series of diplomatic meetings and more like a Madame Tussauds group exhibit where world leaders queue up to pose next to the waxworks for a souvenir snap.
To be clear, there is no suggestion that the Trumps themselves are actually wax. They are, after all, veterans of the political stage, accustomed to holding a pose and smiling politely for hours. Yet the mechanical consistency of these shots, with delegates rotated through like wedding guests at a photo booth, has prompted some to ask: was this truly diplomacy, or just a glorified meet-and-greet assembly line?
And what of the “brief moment” heralded by Fiji’s national newspaper? If “brief” here means a 10-second stop for a handshake and a photo before being ushered out for the next guest, then yes, diplomacy has indeed been served. But if one imagines a deep, strategic conversation about Pacific security, climate resilience, or global trade, one may be disappointed.
None of this is to mock the significance of Fiji’s presence on the global stage. Even a fleeting interaction with a figure as polarising and high-profile as Donald Trump can be leveraged for domestic political capital. It’s just that the tableau presented here, immovable smiles, fixed poses, a blue curtain, and a steady churn of hopeful faces, feels less like international relations and more like a theme park attraction.
In the end, perhaps it doesn’t matter whether Rabuka and Suluweti met the man or the myth, the statesman or the statue. In today’s age of optics, the photo is the meeting. And as long as there’s a thumb up and a camera flash, history, or at least the evening news, will record that Fiji stood shoulder-to-shoulder with America’s most photographed power couple.
Still, one can’t help but wonder: did anyone try tapping Donald Trump on the shoulder or lock thumbs - just to make sure?
At least the Syrian president Ahmad al-Sharaa double-checked that he was shaking hands with the actual statesman - and not a wax replica - a wise precaution in an era where political theatre often looks more lifelike than the politicians themselves.
But as the photos began to circulate, eagle-eyed viewers were left scratching their heads. Was this truly a meeting of global minds or a brush with some eerily lifelike mannequins?
The evidence is almost too perfect to ignore. In each and every photo from the event, be it a prime minister, a philanthropist, or an obscure delegate, Donald Trump and Melania stand in precisely the same positions, wearing precisely the same clothes, with precisely the same smiles, in front of precisely the same backdrop. Trump's thumb, raised optimistically skyward, doesn’t budge. Melania’s hair doesn’t shift by so much as a strand. Their expressions are so identical from one photo to the next that one suspects they might be battery-operated.
It’s a photographic déjà vu so complete that the images look less like a series of diplomatic meetings and more like a Madame Tussauds group exhibit where world leaders queue up to pose next to the waxworks for a souvenir snap.
To be clear, there is no suggestion that the Trumps themselves are actually wax. They are, after all, veterans of the political stage, accustomed to holding a pose and smiling politely for hours. Yet the mechanical consistency of these shots, with delegates rotated through like wedding guests at a photo booth, has prompted some to ask: was this truly diplomacy, or just a glorified meet-and-greet assembly line?
And what of the “brief moment” heralded by Fiji’s national newspaper? If “brief” here means a 10-second stop for a handshake and a photo before being ushered out for the next guest, then yes, diplomacy has indeed been served. But if one imagines a deep, strategic conversation about Pacific security, climate resilience, or global trade, one may be disappointed.
None of this is to mock the significance of Fiji’s presence on the global stage. Even a fleeting interaction with a figure as polarising and high-profile as Donald Trump can be leveraged for domestic political capital. It’s just that the tableau presented here, immovable smiles, fixed poses, a blue curtain, and a steady churn of hopeful faces, feels less like international relations and more like a theme park attraction.
In the end, perhaps it doesn’t matter whether Rabuka and Suluweti met the man or the myth, the statesman or the statue. In today’s age of optics, the photo is the meeting. And as long as there’s a thumb up and a camera flash, history, or at least the evening news, will record that Fiji stood shoulder-to-shoulder with America’s most photographed power couple.
Still, one can’t help but wonder: did anyone try tapping Donald Trump on the shoulder or lock thumbs - just to make sure?
At least the Syrian president Ahmad al-Sharaa double-checked that he was shaking hands with the actual statesman - and not a wax replica - a wise precaution in an era where political theatre often looks more lifelike than the politicians themselves.
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Fiji's Permanent Representative to the United Nations in New York, Filipo Tarakinikini has called out the Fiji Labour Party for the false claim made by Mahendra Chaudhry that Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka did not meet with US President Donald Trump and that the picture of the two leaders and their spouses is fake.
Tarakinikini says he can assure Chaudhry and the people of Fiji that President Trump and Prime Minister Rabuka actually met at the Reception for Leaders hosted by the US President at Lotte New York Palace in Madison Avenue, New York City.
He says he escorted the Prime Minister and Mrs Rabuka with his secret service detail into the Reception Hall at Lotte New York Palace. Tarakinikini says he also accompanied them in the reception line to meet with the US President and for the photo opportunity.
He says the photo was later shared with him from the White House. Tarakinikini says he is concerned that Chaudhry can be posting something misleading like this.
Tarakinikini says he can assure Chaudhry and the people of Fiji that President Trump and Prime Minister Rabuka actually met at the Reception for Leaders hosted by the US President at Lotte New York Palace in Madison Avenue, New York City.
He says he escorted the Prime Minister and Mrs Rabuka with his secret service detail into the Reception Hall at Lotte New York Palace. Tarakinikini says he also accompanied them in the reception line to meet with the US President and for the photo opportunity.
He says the photo was later shared with him from the White House. Tarakinikini says he is concerned that Chaudhry can be posting something misleading like this.
Fiji Labour Party views with extreme concern the recent post, September 28, on Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka's official Facebook page titled "Prime Minister Rabuka Meets US President Trump."
The post claims the Prime Minister and Mrs. Rabuka had a 'brief encounter' with US President, Mr. Donald Trump and Mrs. Melania Trump on the margins of UNGA80 “with an opportunity to engage warm greetings”.
Mr Rabuka even went to the extent of publishing a photo of him and his wife alongside President Trump and the First Lady on the government Facebook page with similar comments.
However, international media reports have since emerged, specifically noting that the Trump photographed alongside various world leaders, including Prime Minister Rabuka, appears to be a wax figure or similar stand-in, designed for photo opportunities at the event.
The reports also state that the only heads of government President Trump met on the margins of UNGA80 were the Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia and the Prime Minister of India.
A close look at the pictures (see below) is enough to confirm that these reports maybe correct. In the event, the statement issued by the Government of Fiji is a serious misrepresentation of facts. The post deliberately leads the public to believe a substantive meeting took place when, in reality, it was nothing more than a photo with inanimate ‘stand-in’ figures.
The Fiji Times said the photo was released by the White House. But surely the Prime Minister must have known the truth. Instead, he went ahead and sanctioned the false publicity by putting the photo on his Facebook with comments.
This is not a trivial matter that can be laughed off. It is a profound ethical breach- an attempt to propagate information that is demonstrably untrue.
The primary role of a high public office is to serve the people through truth and transparency, not to secure a 'personal gain' or momentary political prestige through deceit. Such actions divert public attention from the real issues affecting Fijians—such as the cost of living, healthcare, and unemployment.
Labour calls on the Prime Minister to come clean and clarify the following:
1. Was the photograph taken with the US President, Mr. Donald Trump, or a wax stand-in figure?
2. If it was a stand-in, why did the official Government of Fiji communication deliberately describe it as an "interaction" and a "meeting"?
3. What measures will be taken to ensure official government communications adhere strictly to the truth moving forward?
JUDGE for yourself.
The post claims the Prime Minister and Mrs. Rabuka had a 'brief encounter' with US President, Mr. Donald Trump and Mrs. Melania Trump on the margins of UNGA80 “with an opportunity to engage warm greetings”.
Mr Rabuka even went to the extent of publishing a photo of him and his wife alongside President Trump and the First Lady on the government Facebook page with similar comments.
However, international media reports have since emerged, specifically noting that the Trump photographed alongside various world leaders, including Prime Minister Rabuka, appears to be a wax figure or similar stand-in, designed for photo opportunities at the event.
The reports also state that the only heads of government President Trump met on the margins of UNGA80 were the Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia and the Prime Minister of India.
A close look at the pictures (see below) is enough to confirm that these reports maybe correct. In the event, the statement issued by the Government of Fiji is a serious misrepresentation of facts. The post deliberately leads the public to believe a substantive meeting took place when, in reality, it was nothing more than a photo with inanimate ‘stand-in’ figures.
The Fiji Times said the photo was released by the White House. But surely the Prime Minister must have known the truth. Instead, he went ahead and sanctioned the false publicity by putting the photo on his Facebook with comments.
This is not a trivial matter that can be laughed off. It is a profound ethical breach- an attempt to propagate information that is demonstrably untrue.
The primary role of a high public office is to serve the people through truth and transparency, not to secure a 'personal gain' or momentary political prestige through deceit. Such actions divert public attention from the real issues affecting Fijians—such as the cost of living, healthcare, and unemployment.
Labour calls on the Prime Minister to come clean and clarify the following:
1. Was the photograph taken with the US President, Mr. Donald Trump, or a wax stand-in figure?
2. If it was a stand-in, why did the official Government of Fiji communication deliberately describe it as an "interaction" and a "meeting"?
3. What measures will be taken to ensure official government communications adhere strictly to the truth moving forward?
JUDGE for yourself.
In a bizarre twist to the high-stakes diplomacy of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), several world leaders have found themselves at the centre of a viral controversy: photos purporting to show them rubbing elbows with President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump at a White House-hosted dinner, only to be exposed as awkward encounters with what appear to be wax figures from Madame Tussauds.
The scandal erupted over the weekend as social media sleuths and opposition politicians dissected images shared by officials from Bulgaria, Kosovo, Australia, Japan, and beyond. What began as triumphant posts celebrating “fruitful meetings” quickly devolved into memes, fact-checks, and calls for accountability, highlighting the lengths some leaders will go to for a photo-op in the age of AI and instant scrutiny.
The Bulgarian blunder: A Prime Minister static summit
The firestorm ignited in Bulgaria when Prime Minister Rosen Zhelyazkov posted a photo on X (formerly Twitter) on 28 September, showing him beaming alongside a stone-faced Trump. “During their brief conversation, Zhelyazkov pointed to energy and defense as some of the most important areas in which the US and Bulgaria are achieving historic successes and are rapidly deepening their cooperation”, the government website posted.
Within hours, Bulgaria’s opposition party Vazrazhdane labeled it a “national embarrassment”. “If the press release sent by the Council of Ministers represents disinformation that deliberately affects the polarization of public attitudes and reinforces public division on important issues, then this is further proof that this government is harmful to Bulgaria and must resign,” Vazrazhdane stated.
Kosovo’s Kurti: from ‘long talks’ to laughingstock
Across the Balkans, Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti faced similar ridicule. On 27 September, Kurti shared two images claiming “extended discussions on Balkan stability” with the Trumps, complete with Melania’s signature poised smile. The posts, viewed millions of times, were swiftly debunked by X users employing reverse-image searches and shadow analysis.
“This isn’t a meeting; it’s a mannequin malfunction,” quipped one viral thread, noting the identical lighting on Melania’s dress across unrelated photos. Kosovo’s ethnic Albanian roots amplified the backlash, with Pristina protesters waving signs reading “Wax On, Wax Off – Kurti’s Fake Diplomacy.” Kurti, known for his fiery rhetoric on independence, defended the images in a late-night presser: “The substance of our talks matters more than the medium. But yes, the venue was… unconventional.”
The Greek press too illustrated the visit of Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis with photos apparently made in the same fashion.
The scandal erupted over the weekend as social media sleuths and opposition politicians dissected images shared by officials from Bulgaria, Kosovo, Australia, Japan, and beyond. What began as triumphant posts celebrating “fruitful meetings” quickly devolved into memes, fact-checks, and calls for accountability, highlighting the lengths some leaders will go to for a photo-op in the age of AI and instant scrutiny.
The Bulgarian blunder: A Prime Minister static summit
The firestorm ignited in Bulgaria when Prime Minister Rosen Zhelyazkov posted a photo on X (formerly Twitter) on 28 September, showing him beaming alongside a stone-faced Trump. “During their brief conversation, Zhelyazkov pointed to energy and defense as some of the most important areas in which the US and Bulgaria are achieving historic successes and are rapidly deepening their cooperation”, the government website posted.
Within hours, Bulgaria’s opposition party Vazrazhdane labeled it a “national embarrassment”. “If the press release sent by the Council of Ministers represents disinformation that deliberately affects the polarization of public attitudes and reinforces public division on important issues, then this is further proof that this government is harmful to Bulgaria and must resign,” Vazrazhdane stated.
Kosovo’s Kurti: from ‘long talks’ to laughingstock
Across the Balkans, Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti faced similar ridicule. On 27 September, Kurti shared two images claiming “extended discussions on Balkan stability” with the Trumps, complete with Melania’s signature poised smile. The posts, viewed millions of times, were swiftly debunked by X users employing reverse-image searches and shadow analysis.
“This isn’t a meeting; it’s a mannequin malfunction,” quipped one viral thread, noting the identical lighting on Melania’s dress across unrelated photos. Kosovo’s ethnic Albanian roots amplified the backlash, with Pristina protesters waving signs reading “Wax On, Wax Off – Kurti’s Fake Diplomacy.” Kurti, known for his fiery rhetoric on independence, defended the images in a late-night presser: “The substance of our talks matters more than the medium. But yes, the venue was… unconventional.”
The Greek press too illustrated the visit of Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis with photos apparently made in the same fashion.
| But possibly the biggest faux pas was made by the President of North Macedonia Gordana Siljanovska-Davkova, who took aim at critics and insisted the photo was geniune. She posted on Facebook: “Dear all, I would like to inform you that the photo published on my official social media profiles, in which I am together with the President of the United States, Donald Trump, is authentic and was taken in New York during the ceremonial traditional reception organized by President Trump and his wife, Melania Trump. The articles in certain media outlets that this is a photo of a wax figure are completely inaccurate, malicious and with a clear tendency to discredit. I appeal to the media for professional, responsible and honest information of the public, with respect for the truth as the highest democratic principle.” |   |
Beyond the Balkans: a global gallery of gaffes
The phenomenon isn’t isolated to Eastern Europe. At least a dozen leaders have been implicated in what online commentators are dubbing the “Trump Waxgate” affair, fueled by a purported White House “template photo” of the Trumps in a fixed, regal pose – widely circulated among delegations but never officially confirmed.
Australia’s Anthony Albanese: the 27 September photo with Donald and Melanie Trump sparked debate in social media about the unrealistic height of the Aussie PM, who is 5 ft 10 tall, while the U.S. President is 6 ft 3.
The phenomenon isn’t isolated to Eastern Europe. At least a dozen leaders have been implicated in what online commentators are dubbing the “Trump Waxgate” affair, fueled by a purported White House “template photo” of the Trumps in a fixed, regal pose – widely circulated among delegations but never officially confirmed.
Australia’s Anthony Albanese: the 27 September photo with Donald and Melanie Trump sparked debate in social media about the unrealistic height of the Aussie PM, who is 5 ft 10 tall, while the U.S. President is 6 ft 3.
| Japan’s Shigeru Ishiba: the outgoing Prime Minister Ishiba’s snap on 27 September was called out for its added digital grip; no wax claims per se, but the static template meme exploded in Tokyo tabloids. “Our samurai honor demands better,” lamented a Yomiuri Shimbun op-ed. Somalia’s Hassan Sheikh Mohamud The president’s group shot from 27 September featured a suspiciously feathered Somali flag and Trump’s suit shadows that didn’t align. X forensics threads racked up 100,000 views, turning Mogadishu’s streets into a hub of satirical street art depicting Mohamud “melting” the wax duo under the equatorial sun. |  |
Why the wax?
Experts trace the fiasco to the UNGA’s packed schedule, where Trump’s inner circle reportedly prioritized A-list allies like Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Indian PM Narendra Modi, leaving mid-tier delegations scrambling for visibility.
Madame Tussauds, sensing opportunity, unveiled refreshed Trump-Melania figures in August 2025, complete with inauguration-era outfits - perfect props for the desperate.
Experts trace the fiasco to the UNGA’s packed schedule, where Trump’s inner circle reportedly prioritized A-list allies like Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Indian PM Narendra Modi, leaving mid-tier delegations scrambling for visibility.
Madame Tussauds, sensing opportunity, unveiled refreshed Trump-Melania figures in August 2025, complete with inauguration-era outfits - perfect props for the desperate.
Fijileaks: If You Can't WAX Lyrical Meeting Real Trump, |  |
During the French Revolution, Tussaud was even tasked with making death masks of executed nobles, a gruesome duty that turned her wax craft into a historical record. After surviving revolutionary chaos, she toured Britain with her growing collection of political and cultural icons before establishing her now-legendary Madame Tussaud’s museum in London in 1835.
Today, the brand has become a global empire, with branches from New York to Sydney, showcasing celebrities, monarchs, and world leaders in wax, often more photogenic and responsive than the originals.
So, if you find yourself uncertain whether you’re shaking hands with a real statesman or merely a well-polished likeness, remember: Madame Tussaud mastered the art of imitation centuries ago - and sometimes, the wax has more substance.
Today, the brand has become a global empire, with branches from New York to Sydney, showcasing celebrities, monarchs, and world leaders in wax, often more photogenic and responsive than the originals.
So, if you find yourself uncertain whether you’re shaking hands with a real statesman or merely a well-polished likeness, remember: Madame Tussaud mastered the art of imitation centuries ago - and sometimes, the wax has more substance.
“Waxworks or White House? Tarakinikini Slams Chaudhry Over ‘Fake’ Trump–Rabuka Photo Claims”
A storm is erupting in Fiji's political circles, and it’s not about climate change or maritime borders. It's about a photograph. On one side, FLP leader Mahendra Chaudhry has publicly questioned or cast doubt on the authenticity of the iconic image of Prime Minister Rabuka flanking Donald Trump and Melania Trump.
On the other, Filipo Tarakinikini is pushing back, calling Chaudhry’s suggestion “false” and “concerning.”
So, did Rabuka and other delegates actually meet Trump and Melania, or is this just a clever bit of waxy photo fakery?
What we do know:
Who’s more believable: Chaudhry or Tarakinikini?
That depends on access, evidence, and motive. If Tarakinikini (or those backing him) have internal knowledge - a schedule, logs, eyewitnesses, or backstage confirmation - that the meetings indeed happened in person, his push back might be strong. On the other hand, Chaudhry’s skepticism is not out of the blue when dozens of near-identical photos emerge, it’s not unreasonable to wonder how literal the “meetings” were.
What we ought to ask / investigate:
In the theater of global diplomacy, Hollywood/Bollywood style, optics often overshadow substance. If Tarakinikini is right, and the meetings were real and heartfelt, then Chaudhry’s claims risk sowing unnecessary doubt in Fiji’s diplomatic credibility. If Chaudhry is right, and we’re dealing with staged snapshots more than actual connections, then the photos become a kind of political theater - impactful in image, but not necessarily in substance.
Until hard evidence surfaces (video, logs, firsthand testimony), we may never know whether Rabuka pressed the hand of a man or of a remarkably lifelike wax double. But for now, the photos stand - immovable, polished, and perfectly aligned - as a monument to either precision diplomacy or precision staging.
Choose your preferred narrative (or waxy metaphor) wisely.
Filipo Tarakinikini, shouldn't the Information Minister Lynda Tabuya be defending?
A storm is erupting in Fiji's political circles, and it’s not about climate change or maritime borders. It's about a photograph. On one side, FLP leader Mahendra Chaudhry has publicly questioned or cast doubt on the authenticity of the iconic image of Prime Minister Rabuka flanking Donald Trump and Melania Trump.
On the other, Filipo Tarakinikini is pushing back, calling Chaudhry’s suggestion “false” and “concerning.”
So, did Rabuka and other delegates actually meet Trump and Melania, or is this just a clever bit of waxy photo fakery?
What we do know:
- The photos being circulated are extraordinarily consistent: same people, same positions, identical poses, same backdrop. This has fueled speculation that either the pictures were heavily orchestrated or that they involved digital or mechanical trickery.
- There is public disagreement. Chaudhry’s claim (whatever its precise wording) implies that something about these photos is misleading or manipulative. Tarakinikini’s rebuttal frames that claim as false, implying that the meeting was genuine and that questioning it undermines diplomatic credibility.
- Legitimate but highly choreographed. It’s entirely plausible that Rabuka and various delegates were ushered in one by one into a photo-op. Trump and Melania remained in place, minimal movement, and the rotating guests pressed in for brief introductions and snapshots. That kind of setup is common in high-level summits where multiple foreign dignitaries queue for “meet and greet” moments.
- Digital compositing or retouching: Less charitable interpretations suggest that at least some of the photos might be composites, digitally edited, or otherwise manipulated (e.g. replacing one delegate in a “template” photo). That would explain the identical backdrop and near-perfect alignment.
- Wax figure/mannequin humor. The more tongue-in-cheek option is the “wax statue” hypothesis - that the Trumps were never there in person for all those sessions, but rather posed as static figures while delegates walked up in turn. Obviously extreme and unlikely literally, but the image similarity gives this metaphorical plausibility.
Who’s more believable: Chaudhry or Tarakinikini?
That depends on access, evidence, and motive. If Tarakinikini (or those backing him) have internal knowledge - a schedule, logs, eyewitnesses, or backstage confirmation - that the meetings indeed happened in person, his push back might be strong. On the other hand, Chaudhry’s skepticism is not out of the blue when dozens of near-identical photos emerge, it’s not unreasonable to wonder how literal the “meetings” were.
What we ought to ask / investigate:
- Are there independent witnesses - security staff, UN organizers, secret service logs - who can confirm that Rabuka and others had actual face-to-face time with Trump and Melania in the same room?
- Is there video footage (not just stills) of these handshakes or conversations, showing movement, shifting positions, ambient change?
- Did any delegate afterward describe substantive exchange (even brief) with Trump or Melania?
- Are there timestamped metadata on the images, showing that they were taken at different times under different lighting conditions?
In the theater of global diplomacy, Hollywood/Bollywood style, optics often overshadow substance. If Tarakinikini is right, and the meetings were real and heartfelt, then Chaudhry’s claims risk sowing unnecessary doubt in Fiji’s diplomatic credibility. If Chaudhry is right, and we’re dealing with staged snapshots more than actual connections, then the photos become a kind of political theater - impactful in image, but not necessarily in substance.
Until hard evidence surfaces (video, logs, firsthand testimony), we may never know whether Rabuka pressed the hand of a man or of a remarkably lifelike wax double. But for now, the photos stand - immovable, polished, and perfectly aligned - as a monument to either precision diplomacy or precision staging.
Choose your preferred narrative (or waxy metaphor) wisely.
Filipo Tarakinikini, shouldn't the Information Minister Lynda Tabuya be defending?
From Suva to Somali. A Tale of Two Trump Encounters: State Dinner or Wax-Statute Summit?
*It seems the great diplomatic highlight of UNGA80 came with more than one version of reality but the same photo backdrop.
*In one story, Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka announced that he and his wife had the "pleasure of meeting" Donald and Melania Trump "on the margins of the UN General Assembly. The encounter, he said, was a brief opportunity to exchange warm greetings and re-affirm Fiji-US friendship.
*In another, Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud reported attending a high-profile state dinner hosted by Trump to mark the UN's 80th anniversary, complete with a formal invitation, official statements, and that same photo moment with the Trumps.
*Both leaders, notably, posed in almost identical staged photos beside the US President and First Lady, suggesting that what's being billed in Suva as a landmark "meeting" might have been more of a conveyor-belt photo line that a substantive summit.
*The only mystery left: was it diplomacy, or just dinner with a licence to wax lyrical - waxwork theatre on the world stage.
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