Former US President Donald Trump has launched a scathing attack on Australian Ambassador to the US Kevin Rudd, labeling him as “not the brightest bulb” and suggesting his tenure could be short-lived if Trump secures re-election.
In an interview with British television, Trump responded to comments made by politician-turned-broadcaster Nigel Farage, who relayed Rudd’s criticisms of Trump as a “destructive president” and a “traitor to the West.”
“He won’t be there long if that’s the case,” Trump retorted, casting doubts on Rudd’s suitability for the position.
“I don’t know much about him. I heard he was a little bit nasty. I hear he’s not the brightest bulb, but I don’t know much about him. If he’s at all hostile, he will not be there long.”
The interview aired on conservative UK TV station GB News.
Rudd response
Rudd, who has served as Australia’s ambassador to the US for a year, has not responded directly to Trump’s comments. However, he has previously defended his criticisms of Trump, stating that they were made in his capacity as an “independent think-tanker” rather than as an ambassador.
“I haven’t done them as the Australian ambassador to the United States,” Rudd clarified in a previous interview with Sky News.
“And, frankly, in this country as an independent think-tanker, people expect you to exercise a wide latitude of engagement in the public policy debate.”
Rudd, a former Australian prime minister, assumed the ambassadorial role in March last year after serving as the president and CEO of the Asia Society. Despite Trump’s remarks, Rudd has been actively involved in diplomatic efforts, including negotiations for the AUKUS defense deal between Australia, the US, and the UK.
The Australian embassy in Washington declined to comment on Trump’s remarks, deferring inquiries to the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT), which reiterated its support for Rudd, stating that he is “doing a good job as Australia’s Ambassador to the United States.”
Trump’s remarks come amid his bid for re-election in 2024, with recent polls indicating a tight race between him and Democratic President Joe Biden. The presidential election is scheduled for November.
