Former U.S. President Donald Trump engaged in a tense exchange with Australian journalist John Lyons from the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) while being questioned about his family business dealings since returning to office in January.
Trump Criticizes Journalist
During the interaction, Trump told Lyons, “You are hurting Australia very much right now,” suggesting that his questions about business matters were negatively impacting U.S.-Australia relations. He added that he would inform Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese about the journalist, claiming, “You set a very bad tone.”
When Lyons attempted to follow up with another question, Trump signaled him to remain silent and walked away to speak to another reporter.
Background: US-Australia Relations
The incident comes amid growing tension between the United States and Australia. Key points include:
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The AUKUS submarine deal review, a £176 billion ($239 billion; A$368 billion) trilateral agreement between the US, UK, and Australia, has caused diplomatic friction since 2021.
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Earlier this year, the U.S. imposed a 10% tariff on Australian exports, which Prime Minister Albanese described as “not the act of a friend.”
These developments have added strain to the historically strong ties between the two countries.
Albanese’s Upcoming Meeting with Trump
Prime Minister Albanese, who will attend the UN General Assembly in New York next week, confirmed he will meet Trump at several forums and a reception hosted by the former president. The meeting aims to strengthen cooperation and address ongoing bilateral concerns.
Journalist’s Perspective
John Lyons defended his reporting, saying the questions were polite, research-based, and legitimate, noting that it was “absurd” to suggest they would damage relations. His queries were part of an investigation by ABC’s Four Corners program into Trump’s business dealings since his return to office.
Social Media Reaction
Following the exchange, an official White House social media account captioned a video of the incident: Trump “smacks down a rude foreign Fake News loser”, fueling further discussion online.
