Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has confirmed that Kevin Rudd will remain as Australia’s ambassador to the United States, despite a tense interaction with Donald Trump.
The much-anticipated initial in-person meeting between Albanese and Trump at the White House took an unexpected twist. During a press briefing, Trump was questioned about his thoughts on Rudd’s past critical remarks.
Rudd, who previously served as prime minister of Australia, had once criticized Trump by calling him a ‘village idiot’ and labeled him the ‘most destructive’ president in US history.
This inquiry, posed by Andrew Clennell, Sky News’ political editor, led Trump to pointedly remark to Rudd, ‘I don’t like you either, and probably never will,’ creating an awkward moment.
Despite growing calls for Rudd’s dismissal, including from Opposition Leader Sussan Ley who deemed his role as ‘untenable,’ Albanese stood by him.
Albanese initially addressed the situation at a press conference in the US, confirming Rudd’s position. He later reiterated this stance on Australian television, telling Channel Nine’s Today show on Wednesday that Rudd would continue in his ambassadorial role.
‘We’ve appointed him for four years and he’s doing a fantastic job,’ Albanese said.
Sunrise host Nat Barr also attempted to get an answer from Albanese about what was going through his mind when Trump turned to Rudd.
Footage from the face-to-face meeting showed Trump respond to Clennell’s question by asking Albanese whether the ambassador was in the room with them, prompting the Prime Minister to laugh and point at Rudd.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has dodged questions on what was going through his mind during the awkward exchange between Kevin Rudd and Donald Trump
Sunrise host Nat Barr pressed Albanese on Wednesday about the awkward interaction
‘What was going through your mind when the president turned to you and said, “Does he still work for you?”‘ Barr asked.
Albanese immediately brushed off the question, and touted the meeting with Trump a success.
‘Well, yesterday was an important meeting. We had an $8.5billion deal. My focus was on what a successful meeting it was,’ Albanese said.
Barr attempted to bring the conversation back to Albanese’s reaction at the time.
‘Then you had that strange bit where the Rudd question was brought up and the president turns to you and says, “Does he still work for you?” What was going through your mind?’ Barr asked.
Albanese gave a very brief answer, describing it as a ‘light-hearted discussion’, before redirecting the conversation once again.
‘What I was focused on was the national interest, and it was an incredibly successful meeting. I got on very well with President Trump, being able to spend almost three hours with him yesterday, and then meetings with the Treasury Secretary, Mr [Scott] Bessant, and I had dinner last night with the Secretary of State, Marco Rubio,’ he said.
‘The meetings that took place today on the Hill were incredibly successful as well. And the Australia-US relationship is in great shape.’
Anthony Albanese (right) has leapt to the defence of Kevin Rudd (left) following the foreign ambassador’s awkward exchange with President Trump
Albanese described the exchange between Rudd and Trump (pictured) as light-hearted ‘banter’
Albanese previously paid tribute to Rudd as the pair received a warm reception at a Friends of Australia Caucus gathering in Washington DC on Tuesday.
It came despite growing calls back home for Rudd to be sacked.
‘If there’s a harder working ambassador on the Hill, then please let me know because Kevin works his guts out and he seems to know everything,’ Albanese told the gathering.
He later downplayed the awkward exchange as light-hearted ‘banter’ and not a big deal, as he praised Rudd’s involvement in organising the meeting with Trump.
‘It wasn’t, certainly, a significant moment. Kevin Rudd was with me in the Oval Office afterwards,’ Albanese told ABC’s News Breakfast on Wednesday morning.
‘All’s good. Kevin Rudd’s doing a fantastic job.
‘And the work that he did into this outcome is certainly recognised by me, and recognised by all of his American friends as well.’
Albanese confirmed that Rudd apologised to Trump shortly after the fiery exchange.
Australia’s Ambassador to the US Kevin Rudd (second left) received a warm reception at official functions in Washington DC
‘He said to Kevin Rudd that all was forgiven,’ he said.
Albanese was also asked about the growing calls led by Opposition Leader Sussan Ley for Rudd to be sacked over the incident that made global headlines.
‘I think they’re looking to talk themselves into a story,’ he said.
‘They had an option of backing the Australian national interest and, of course, they chose to play politics.
‘To ignore the critical minerals and rare earths deal.
‘To ignore the constructive relationship that I’ve built with President Trump over a period of time, through the conversations we’ve had and the correspondence we’ve had together. Ignoring all of that.
‘I think that they’re too busy focused on each other. I’m focused on the Australian national interest.’
Rudd joined the Prime Minister at a series of official functions in Washington on Tuesday.
Albanese (pictured taking a selfie with Friends of Australia Caucus guests) has insisted that Kevin Rudd will stay put in the US, despite mounting calls for his sacking
This included a US Capitol meeting with House Minority Leader Hakeem Jefferies and congressional leaders from the major parties, where Rudd received a warm reception and was invited to be part of photos.
‘It’s good to see you,’ Jefferies greeted him, news.com.au reported.
Albanese will fly home today.
