Kevin Rudd Under Fire: Aussie Ambassador Takes Heat from Donald Trump After Past Insults
- Ambassador Rudd responds to Trump’s criticism following an awkward White House exchange
- Rudd was branded a ‘village idiot’ by Trump in a stinging rebuke
- The Australian Ambassador’s tenure in the US could be cut short amidst the backlash
Australia’s Ambassador to the United States, Kevin Rudd, has faced a grilling from journalists in Canberra over US President Donald Trump’s repeated criticisms of him.
In a tense encounter, Rudd was asked to respond to Trump’s barbs, which came after the Australian Ambassador previously branded the president a ‘village idiot’. Rudd attempted to brush off the criticism, saying it was “good to be back in Canberra” and that he was “here to do a job”.
During last week’s meeting between Trump and Prime Minister Albanese at the White House, the US president was asked about Rudd’s prior criticisms of his leadership and responded by saying, “I don’t like you either and I probably never will”. Trump again took aim at Rudd on Friday, saying, “You know when they say bad about me, I don’t forget”.
Rudd was appointed Ambassador to the United States in March 2023 for a four-year term, but there is now fresh speculation that his tenure could be cut short. Despite this, Prime Minister Albanese is sticking by Rudd for now and publicly supporting him.
The dramatic exchange has sparked a heated debate about the state of relations between Australia and the United States, with many calling for Rudd to be recalled from his post.