Albanese was joined at the table by Resources Minister Madeleine King, Industry Minister Tim Ayres, secretary of the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet Steven Kennedy and communications director Fiona Sugden.
A relaxed Albanese began the meeting by joking about driving the 50 metres or so from his accommodation at Blair House to the White House, as is custom, rather than walking. And later he joked that some of Trump’s praise for him was so effusive he would use it in his next political ad.
Invited to compare Albanese to predecessors Scott Morrison and Malcolm Turnbull, Trump declined to do so, but said: “I think he’s doing a really good job … They [Australia] really have a great prime minister.”
But most Trump meetings with world leaders have an awkward moment, and this was no different. Indeed, this was more awkward than most.
Trump was asked by Sky News’ Andrew Clennell whether the nine-month wait for a bilateral meeting with Australia had anything to do with the country’s position on climate change or Palestine, or the disparaging comments once made by ambassador to the US Kevin Rudd – who was sitting at the table.
Perhaps it was inevitable that Trump would be asked about the time Rudd called him “the most destructive president in history” and “a traitor to the west”. Rudd deleted the tweets, which he wrote before he became ambassador.
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Trump responded by saying he didn’t know anything about the posts or their author, and queried whether this ambassador was still on the government’s payroll. Rudd, sitting across the table from Trump, had to meekly raise his hand and fess up.
“You said bad?” Trump asked Rudd. Rudd replied: “Before I took this position, Mr President. I withdraw those statements.
“Trump then said: “I don’t like you either,” to laughter. “And I probably never will.” It was not entirely clear if Trump was being serious or speaking in jest.
The run-in with Rudd will no doubt dominate social media and TV coverage of the momentous meeting. And it must have been tremendously difficult for the ambassador and former PM, whom the Coalition has long accused of being a danger to Australia’s relationship with the Trump administration.
But perhaps it was better to get it out in the open and clear the air. After all, the meeting’s success is a testament not only to Albanese but to Rudd. His concerted efforts in Washington – whether in Congress or with senior members of the administration, including Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent – have no doubt been pivotal to the critical minerals agreement signed today, and the affirmation of AUKUS.
And Rudd wasn’t the only one to cop it. Trump called this reporter a “nasty guy” while clamouring to ask a second question, while he told another Australian reporter that she didn’t know anything about the Russia-Ukraine war, and then told her to be “quiet”.
Escaping the White House unscathed is a tough task. But Albanese has done it, even if others have a few scars.
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