Trump threatens to expel Australian ambassador if elected

Mr Trump threatened that Australian Ambassador to the US Kevin Rudd could be expelled, after the diplomat repeatedly criticized the former president.

In a television interview on March 19, when asked to comment on Australian Ambassador to the US Kevin Rudd, former President Donald Trump said he heard the diplomat was "a little cranky".

"I also hear he's not the greatest. I don't know him very well, but if he's hostile, he won't be in office very long," Trump added.

Former US President Donald Trump in Palm Beach, Florida on March 19. Photo: AFP — Former US President Donald Trump in Palm Beach, Florida on March 19. Photo: *AFP*

Kevin Rudd, 66, served as Australia's prime minister from 2007 to 2010 and from June to September 2013. He became Australia's ambassador to the US in March 2023. Before taking up his diplomatic role, he had criticized Trump as "the most destructive president in history" and "a traitor to the West". After taking office, Mr. Rudd took a more moderate tone, saying that both the US and Australia were "strong democracies" and that he had "worked comfortably and smoothly" with senior members of the Republican Party.

Mr. Trump last week won enough delegates to become the Republican presidential nominee in the race for the White House in November. Polls show him and President Joe Biden are very close.

An Australian government spokesman has defended Rudd, saying he is "doing a great job as ambassador".

During his tenure as ambassador, Mr Rudd focused on strengthening defence cooperation under the AUKUS agreement, a security pact between Australia, the US and the UK. This agreement will allow Australia to develop nuclear-powered submarines and a range of other advanced US weapons.

Democratic Congressman Joe Courtney posted on X that Ambassador Rudd's appointment had strengthened the relationship between the two countries. "He has earned the respect and admiration of both parties, a rare achievement for ambassadors in Washington, DC," Mr. Courtney said.