Key Points
- Donald Trump has described Australia's US ambassador Kevin Rudd as "nasty" and "not the brightest bulb".
- Rudd has previously criticised Trump, labelling him a "destructive president" who is "a traitor to the West".
- An Australian Government spokesperson has said Rudd is "doing a good job" in response to Trump's comments.
The Australian Government has responded to criticism of Kevin Rudd, Australia's ambassador to the United States.
In an exclusive interview with GB News, Trump — who is the in the 2024 US presidential election — described Rudd as "nasty" and suggested he "would not last long" if he is re-elected.
An Australian government spokesperson responded to Trump's comments.
"Kevin Rudd is doing a good job as Australia’s ambassador to the United States," the spokesperson said.
Foreign minister Penny Wong went further, saying Rudd was doing an "excellent job".
"He has been active in engaging with members of Congress on both sides of politics and he is a former prime minister, former foreign minister," she said.
"His experience and skills mean he will be able to work closely with whoever is elected by the American people as the United States president."
The interview was conducted with high-profile , who asked about and Rudd on behalf of Sky News Australia.
Farage mentioned that Rudd, a former prime minister of Australia, had previously described Trump as a "destructive president" who is "a traitor to the West".
In response to Farage's questions, Trump suggested Rudd's tenure in the position would be brief if he is re-elected.
"He won't be there long if that's the case; I don't know much about him," Trump said.
"I heard he was a little bit nasty, I hear he's not the brightest bulb. I don't know much about him, but if he's at all hostile, he will not be there long."
Wong has confirmed Rudd would remain as ambassador if Trump is elected.
'It leaves a very bad taste in the world at large'
Rudd's "destructive president" remarks weren't the only critical comments he's made about Trump's character.
In 2020, he told CNN that Trump's conduct after losing the 2020 election to Joe Biden was unacceptable.
"When the world, and the democratic world, looks on the United States and Trump having lost the election, trying to cling to power in this interregnum. It leaves a very bad taste in the world at large.
"I would hope that the Republicans would see sense and get the president to behave like a responsible grown up and so far he's not done that."
Getting 'deep in the weeds' on AUKUS has won Rudd US supporters
While Trump clearly isn't a fan, Rudd's work on AUKUS has won him support in the US, according to Jared Mondschein, director of research at the United States Studies Centre.
"You're seeing members of Congress coming out and speaking in support of Kevin Rudd because this (AUKUS) legislation is not simple," he told SBS News.
If all goes to plan, the AUKUS deal will see the US supply Australia with at least three nuclear-powered submarines.
"This is not simple stuff. This is not something that leaders can do on their own. This is something that Congress needs to get deep into the weeds on," he said,
As ambassador, Rudd had got "deep in the weeds ... working with members of Congress across the aisle on this really challenging and complex legislation." he added.
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