Turnbull’s Trump card

THE Federal Government is on tenterhooks after a video of the Prime Minister mimicking US President Donald Trump was leaked from an off-the-record event.

Government staff were on alert last night, waiting to see whether Mr Trump would take to his favoured social media, while embassies were bracing to deal with what could become a diplomatic incident.

The footage was shot at Wednesday’s traditionally offthe-record Mid Winter Ball, showing Mr Turnbull mimicking Mr Trump’s hand mannerisms and pronunciations, and poking fun at his troubles over alleged ties with Russia.

Mr Turnbull last night said he was disappointed his offthe-record speech was leaked, but has defended his words as “affectionately light-hearted”.