Analysis
The man in the eye of the hurricane is veteran ABC political journalist Chris Uhlmann.
His report on the ABC's Insiders show about US President Donald Trump at the G20 has gone viral. More than 1 million people have viewed the report on social media.
"People are sharing this Australian journalist's brutal takedown of Trump's foreign policy," blared BuzzFeed.
"Wow. A searing assessment of the President of the United States by political editor @CUhlmann of Australia's ABC," tweeted @BraddJaffy from NBC News.
The Hill termed it a "blistering critique", the Huffington Post UK called it a "savage takedown of Donald Trump", noting Uhlmann's observation that Mr Trump had been an "uneasy, lonely, awkward" figure.
"Absolutely damning view from Australia," tweeted author and historian Anne Applebaum.
And author JK Rowling of Harry Potter fame gave a RT to Insiders host Barrie Cassidy: "What did we learn about @realDonaldTrump at this #G20? @CUhlmann explains."
By the time I sat down with Michael Rowland and Del Irani on the set of ABC News Breakfast on Monday morning, Uhlmann was splashed across the New York Times.
Video: Sara James' take on Donald Trump's "isolated" and "uncomfortable" appearance at the G20. (ABC News)
In a report headlined, "Australian Journalist's Trump Teardown Goes Viral Amid Interest in G20", reporter Maya Salam noted:
But why? What is it about this report by an Australian journalist that struck a nerve in the US and around the world?
As an American-Australian who travels frequently to the US, I think there are five key reasons.
At two minutes and 14 seconds, Uhlmann's report is both succinct and bursting with detail.
Americans are drowning in a daily deluge of cable news. This is a case of less is more.
Uhlmann's espresso analysis was served in a demitasse, and Americans gulped it down.
His crisp, dispassionate dissection of the G20 and the US President was worthy of the best courtroom lawyer.
His report played like a devastating summation for the jury and it gave the "big picture" viewers crave.
"All tip, no iceberg" is but one of many examples that spring to mind. Americans lap it up.
"He barks out bile in 140 characters," Uhlmann fires off, and "…wastes his precious days as President at war with the West's institutions".
When it comes to the G20, Uhlmann quotes are everywhere.
President Trump has tweeted what appears to be a promotional video of his time at the G20 summit. Lots of blindingly white smiles and handshakes.
Uhlmann and his crew captured a very different POTUS.
The scene of the US President appearing to wander around is unsettling and makes us question the promo video. Television journalism at its best.
The creatures Down Under might be scary, but not the people. They are friendly.
That makes this Aussie report on the US President much more of a shock. It's kind of like being smacked in the face by a koala paw.
Totally unexpected. The US President is not being criticised by a European reporter, but by an Australian.
America is becoming more and more of an echo chamber.
Uhlmann's tough but thoughtful analysis of the US President will be shared on social media by those who agree with his withering assessment of the US President. It will be ignored by those who disagree.
Perhaps what we all need to take away from Uhlmann's report is the ability to watch television that makes us ask questions and become uncomfortable.
To be challenged in our assessments and assumptions. That's what makes news, news.
Updated
On a peaceful Sunday in windswept country Victoria, I
was watching our older daughter ride her horse when I felt a blast from
a different kind of whirlwind.
My phone gave a tiny ping, harbinger of a powerful Twitter storm barrelling into Australia from Europe and the United States.The man in the eye of the hurricane is veteran ABC political journalist Chris Uhlmann.
His report on the ABC's Insiders show about US President Donald Trump at the G20 has gone viral. More than 1 million people have viewed the report on social media.
"People are sharing this Australian journalist's brutal takedown of Trump's foreign policy," blared BuzzFeed.
"Wow. A searing assessment of the President of the United States by political editor @CUhlmann of Australia's ABC," tweeted @BraddJaffy from NBC News.
The Hill termed it a "blistering critique", the Huffington Post UK called it a "savage takedown of Donald Trump", noting Uhlmann's observation that Mr Trump had been an "uneasy, lonely, awkward" figure.
"Absolutely damning view from Australia," tweeted author and historian Anne Applebaum.
And author JK Rowling of Harry Potter fame gave a RT to Insiders host Barrie Cassidy: "What did we learn about @realDonaldTrump at this #G20? @CUhlmann explains."
By the time I sat down with Michael Rowland and Del Irani on the set of ABC News Breakfast on Monday morning, Uhlmann was splashed across the New York Times.
Video: Sara James' take on Donald Trump's "isolated" and "uncomfortable" appearance at the G20. (ABC News)
In a report headlined, "Australian Journalist's Trump Teardown Goes Viral Amid Interest in G20", reporter Maya Salam noted:
"…viral videos, once reserved for cute kitties and humorous mishaps, have become increasingly political, and that interest in these gatherings of world leaders is no longer just for policy wonks."Yes, indeedy.
But why? What is it about this report by an Australian journalist that struck a nerve in the US and around the world?
As an American-Australian who travels frequently to the US, I think there are five key reasons.
Number one: Short and sharp
"Be sincere; be brief; be seated," former US President Franklin D Roosevelt famously opined.At two minutes and 14 seconds, Uhlmann's report is both succinct and bursting with detail.
Americans are drowning in a daily deluge of cable news. This is a case of less is more.
Uhlmann's espresso analysis was served in a demitasse, and Americans gulped it down.
Photo:
Chris Uhlmann said Mr Trump "wastes his precious days as President at war with the West's institutions". (AP: Ryan Remiorz)
Number two: Suits, anyone?
Uhlmann is an outstanding journalist. He also looks like he could appear on the hit American legal drama Suits.His crisp, dispassionate dissection of the G20 and the US President was worthy of the best courtroom lawyer.
His report played like a devastating summation for the jury and it gave the "big picture" viewers crave.
Number three: The art of the insult
I've lived in Australia long enough to know that needle-sharp wit is a national specialty. It also happens to be devastatingly quotable."All tip, no iceberg" is but one of many examples that spring to mind. Americans lap it up.
"He barks out bile in 140 characters," Uhlmann fires off, and "…wastes his precious days as President at war with the West's institutions".
When it comes to the G20, Uhlmann quotes are everywhere.
Number four: Show, don't tell
Television is a visual medium and viewers are savvy.President Trump has tweeted what appears to be a promotional video of his time at the G20 summit. Lots of blindingly white smiles and handshakes.
Uhlmann and his crew captured a very different POTUS.
The scene of the US President appearing to wander around is unsettling and makes us question the promo video. Television journalism at its best.
Number five: Roasted by a friend
Americans overwhelmingly like Australia and Australians.The creatures Down Under might be scary, but not the people. They are friendly.
That makes this Aussie report on the US President much more of a shock. It's kind of like being smacked in the face by a koala paw.
Totally unexpected. The US President is not being criticised by a European reporter, but by an Australian.
Photo:
Americans overwhelmingly like Australians, which makes Uhlmann's report much more of a shock. (Reuters: Ludovic Marin)
Impact?
Without question, Uhlmann's report has garnered attention. What impact it will have is matter of debate.America is becoming more and more of an echo chamber.
Uhlmann's tough but thoughtful analysis of the US President will be shared on social media by those who agree with his withering assessment of the US President. It will be ignored by those who disagree.
Perhaps what we all need to take away from Uhlmann's report is the ability to watch television that makes us ask questions and become uncomfortable.
To be challenged in our assessments and assumptions. That's what makes news, news.
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