Kevin Rudd claimed that the Republican was the ‘most destructive president in history’ and ‘a traitor to the West’, someone who ‘drags the United States and democracy through the mud’
The President of the United States, , expressed disdain for the Australian ambassador, the left-wing politician, this Monday (20), during a meeting with the Australian Prime Minister, , at the White House. Trump and his top advisers hosted Albanese for a working lunch and, before that, made statements to journalists. When asked how he felt about Rudd’s past comments, the Republican tycoon responded: “I don’t know anything about him.” Albanese remained silent, while the American president commented: “If he said something bad, then maybe he would like to apologize.” Then he addressed the prime minister: “Where is he? Does he still work for you?”
The Prime Minister smiled uncomfortably before pointing to Rudd, who was sitting on the other side of the table. The politician soon explained: “That was before I took on this role, Mr. President.” A Labor politician, Rudd harshly criticized Trump after the end of his first term (2017-2021). Stating that the Republican was the “most destructive president in history” and “a traitor to the West”, someone who “drags the United States and democracy through the mud”.
The agent interrupted the ambassador’s explanations: “I don’t like you either. And I probably never will.” The gathered officials from both allied countries laughed before another journalist quickly asked a new question. Rudd, a former prime minister who speaks Mandarin, was appointed ambassador during Joe Biden’s presidency, with the hope that his experience in China would give him influence in Washington.
Last year, during the presidential campaign, Trump called Rudd “nasty” and said he would not last long as ambassador, in an interview with far-right British politician Nigel Farage.
*With information from AFP
Published by Fernando Dias
