Social media reacts to PM Scott Morrison’s interview on The Project

Viewers have noted one thing more than anything else after seeing the PM’s tense interview with Waleed Aly: his body language.

There is one thing viewers of The Project noted more than anything else during the Prime Minister’s testy exchange with Waleed Aly — Scott Morrison’s body language.

After days of tension — and a complaint against Channel 10’s The Project about claims the PM once suggested exploiting Muslims for political gain — Mr Morrison came face to face with Aly in a special 30-minute commercial free edition of the show on Thursday night.

Viewers noticed that the Prime Minister appeared frustrated during the exchange, slouching back in his chair and crossing his legs, as Aly questioned him about how the Coalition government viewed Muslims.

Many interpreted his body language as “aggressive”, and felt he came off as a “bully”. Aly, on the other hand, appeared composed throughout the half-hour interview.

The verdict of viewers was swift on social media.

. @ScottMorrisonMP embodies smug, white privilege. His whole body language is disrespectful. Shut up and listen you ignorant buffoon. Try and learn something. #TheProjectTV #ArdernUp

— PeanutGalleryTV (@peanut_tv) March 21, 2019

PM #ScoMo's dog whistling deeds prior to tonight, & body language during @theprojecttv discussion with #WaleedAly, give me no confidence in him as a leader who can heal division -- stark contrast to #NewZealand's #JacintaArdern! 😔 #auspol #Christchurch

— Robert Fairhead 📚🤔 (@tallandtrue) March 21, 2019

Hey @ScottMorrisonMP!

Great job in your interview with Waleed!

I particularly liked your patronising tone, self-delusion, disingenuousness, constant interrupting, avoidance of questions, twisting of Waleed's words, projection, disrespectful body language and passive aggression.

— SirLeslieHammondQC (@LeslieHammondQC) March 21, 2019

Scott Morrison’s body language didn’t impress viewers. Picture: The Project

What was with his body language? Why he barks all the time? #WaleedAly @ScottMorrisonMP #AusPol

— Arianna (@AxtraDax) March 21, 2019

And slouching back in his seat with legs crossed, a foot raised and ready to kick out. Morrison's body language was revealing, to say the least.

— RealFakeLiberal (@RealFakeLiberal) March 21, 2019

Scott Morrison's body language has changed. Is very defensive. #TheProjectTV #waleedaly @theprojecttv

— Thomas Dang (@ThomasDangPhoto) March 21, 2019

Not all the reaction was negative, however. Some viewers believed the PM was never going to get a fair hearing from Aly, who they accused of bias.

What did you think of the interview? Share your thoughts in the comments below.

Waleed tried to dig up dirt on our gracious PM who tonight clarified that he stands for uniting, not dividing the Australian people, whether they be Coptic, Muslim, Buddhist etc. But the same can’t be said for Waleed. Its not about composure. It’s about cohesion.

— Karen Williams (@KarenWi151515) March 21, 2019

@ScottMorrisonMP did way better than I anticipated. I was disappointed in Waleed's performance though.

— Christine Ryan (@ChristineRyan70) March 21, 2019

Scott Morrison is a good down to earth knowledgeable intelligent man - Waleed Aly is another grandstanding left winger who thinks he has all the answers. They are all robots with no independent thoughts - hey Kochie!

— Dianne Cary (@DianneCary2) March 21, 2019

On Facebook, others took issue with criticism of the PM’s body language.

“To me that means he’s not intimidated by his interviewer,” Pamela Johnson wrote.

Isaac Ryan added: “Now sitting comfortably is against the law according to leftist thinkers.”

Aly’s interviewing style was also attacked.

“So Waleed’s dribble made no impact and we all saw it as playing the victim card at its best. So now we have to create a new tag “comfortabolist” as being a bad thing now. 🙄

Scomo 3 : Waleed 0,” said Sean Falli.

Rick Turner summed up the sentiment of many: “Waleed just showed what a weak journalist he is when he isn’t reading a pre-prepared spiel from an auto-cue.”

“Not sure why Morrison decided to lower himself and give the oxygen thief Aly the time of day,” Shane Cutting said.

Waleed Aly and Scott Morrison on the Project. Picture: The Project