Anthony Albanese has been urged to take a stand against Donald Trump’s refusal to meet with him, with one TV host suggesting he tell the US President to “bugger off” during a series of awkward interviews.
The Embarrassing Situation
The Prime Minister is still waiting for a face-to-face meeting with Trump, making him the only member of the Quad group (India, the US, Japan, and Australia) who hasn’t met with the President since his re-election.
Today show host Karl Stefanovic grilled Albanese over the “disrespectful” situation, saying, “I think it’s so disrespectful. And why don’t you just tell him to bugger off?”
A “Respectful” Relationship?
Albanese insisted that he has a “respectful” relationship with Trump, but the President’s failure to meet with him has raised eyebrows.
When asked about the meeting, Albanese said, “We will meet when we meet in coming months, but my priority has been on delivering for Australians.”
Planned Talks Cancelled
It’s not the first time talks between the two leaders have been cancelled. Albanese didn’t meet with Trump earlier in the year, reportedly to avoid an unpredictable meeting in the lead-up to the election.
And when they were expected to have a brief chat at the G7, that idea was put on the back burner.
Rudd’s “Village Idiot” Moment
The Prime Minister was also questioned about former Prime Minister turned US ambassador Kevin Rudd’s description of Trump as “a village idiot”.
Albanese was asked if he was putting his loyalty to Rudd above the alliance with the US, to which he responded, “Well, JD Vance had some pretty strong comments, it’s gotta be said, and he’s now the Vice-President of the United States of America.”