Trump Tells Australian Ambassador Kevin Rudd: “I Don’t Like You Either”

In a striking moment at the White House on Monday, United States President Donald Trump openly expressed his dislike for Australia’s ambassador, former Prime Minister Kevin Rudd, during a bilateral meeting with Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese.

The meeting, held across the cabinet table, was largely cordial and focused on reaffirming the AUKUS submarine agreement and broader defence cooperation. However, it took an unexpectedly personal turn when Trump was asked by a reporter about Rudd’s past criticisms of him.

Exchange Between Trump and Rudd

The interaction unfolded when Trump, responding to a journalist’s question about Rudd’s previous criticism, remarked: “Maybe he’ll like to apologise.”

Turning to Albanese, Trump asked: “Where is he? Is he still working for you?”

Rudd, seated directly across the table, replied cautiously,  “That was before I took this position, Mr President.”

Trump interrupted bluntly: “I don’t like you either. I don’t. And I probably never will.”

The remark drew laughter from both delegations, momentarily easing the tension before reporters moved on to other topics.

Australia’s Foreign Affairs Minister Penny Wong later described Trump’s comment as “clearly tongue-in-cheek.”

“We heard the laughter. We know that we had a very successful meeting, and full credit to Kevin,” she told Australia’s Nine Network.

Despite the awkward moment, officials from both sides characterised the overall discussions as productive and friendly, emphasising the enduring strength of the US–Australia alliance.

Before assuming his diplomatic post, Rudd had been an outspoken critic of Trump. In a series of social media posts, he had labelled the Republican billionaire:

• “The most destructive president in history,”
• “A traitor to the West,” and
• Someone who “drags America and democracy through the mud.”

Rudd deleted those remarks after Trump’s recent electoral victory and his return to the White House.

Background and Political Context

Trump, during his campaign last year, had already labelled Rudd as “nasty” in an interview with far-right British politician Nigel Farage, suggesting that Rudd “wouldn’t last long as ambassador.”

Rudd’s appointment was widely seen as an effort by Australia to leverage his experience and deep knowledge of China to advance strategic discussions in Washington.

Despite the pointed exchange, diplomats from both sides stressed that the alliance remains robust, driven by shared interests in regional security, technology cooperation, and democratic values.

As one observer noted, “It was classic Trump — direct, theatrical, and impossible to ignore — but unlikely to derail the long-standing friendship between Canberra and Washington.”