Labor's worst anti-Trump attacks exposed as US alliance in jeopardy
SkyNews.com.au has uncovered the worst posts made by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and his most senior ministers about US President Donald Trump, which experts warn have 'sabotaged' relationships and plunged Australia into diplomatic crisis.
At least a dozen senior ministers have publicly attacked Donald Trump on social media, with some politicians describing him as a threat to democracy and a liar.
In posts from 2021, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese called on the former Morrison government to publicly condemn Trump and accused him of inciting violence.
Foreign Affairs Minister Penny Wong, whose role involves dealing with the Trump administration, alleged that he had 'incited violence', and that he was 'bad for allies'.
Attacks ranged from allegations Trump was stoking 'fear and rage' to engaging in 'anti-democratic actions', while in one childish criticism, a senior minister mocked Trump as a liar who wore a "toupee".
The Labor politicians made the comments on social media at a time when it appeared unlikely that the US President would return for a second term.
But experts have since said the White House would be acutely aware of the social media rhetoric and warned it has destabilised relations. Read the social media posts that could undermine the alliance
Labor figures holding some of the most senior roles in government, including Mr Albanese, used their time in opposition to launch scathing attacks on President Trump.
The ministers often accused the US President of anti-democratic behaviour and aligned him with the 'far right' of politics, likening Coalition leaders to him as an insult.
Mr Albanese, while opposition leader in 2021, accused President Trump of 'anti-democratic' actions, peddling 'nonsense' and encouraging 'violent insurrection'.
Foreign Minister Penny Wong was similarly critical, saying, 'Donald Trump undermined American democracy'.
She was filmed in 2021 saying the US President was 'prepared to trash alliances and partnerships for personal political interest'. — Senator Penny Wong (@SenatorWong) January 12, 2021
Treasurer Jim Chalmers endorsed the view that 'Trumpism puts Australia in danger' and shared with his followers that President Trump was brought to power by 'fear and rage'.
Education Minister Jason Clare at the time described former prime minister Scott Morrison's political style as 'Trump without the toupee'.
He said the 'Trump playbook' involved 'lying, denying, never taking responsibility' and 'pandering to the extreme right'.
Resources Minister Madeleine King admitted, 'Oh I hate the idea of following Trump on Twitter… but I think I might have to'.
Communications Minister Anika Wells questioned what kind of world her daughter would grow up in after President Trump was elected.
Industry Minister Tim Ayres described Trump's politics as 'far-right' and Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke warned against introducing 'the politics of Trump to Australia.'
Environment Minister Murray Watt, Assistant Minister to the Prime Minister Patrick Gorman and Assistant Minister for Women Rebecca White all made similarly unflattering remarks. Trump administration aware of attacks
Former Trump campaign insider Brent Buchanan told Sky News that the US administration would be aware of the verbal attacks, and they won't be forgotten.
The revelations come as Prime Minister Anthony Albanese remains unable to secure a meeting with President Trump and the US alliance is called into question.
Founder of the polling firm Cygnal, Mr Buchanan confirmed the Trump administration would be aware of the numerous anti-Trump comments made by the ministers.
"I don't expect Trump himself pays much attention to what ministers say, but I can tell you his team does,' Mr Buchanan said.
'When it comes time to interact with the Australian government, they'll give him an update because he wants to know what motivates people.
'And if the Left in Australia suffers from some form of international Trump Derangement Syndrome, that'll frame his thinking and dealings.'
Mr Buchanan also warned there is a difference between 'trading political barbs during a campaign' and 'personal attacks on the world stage'.
He warned that the government's tone may risk undermining diplomatic relations 'at a time when the US-Australian alliance is so important amid several security challenges.' Labor's 'deep-seated anti-American sentiment'
Senior fellow at the Institute of Public Affairs and former Washington correspondent Adam Creighton told Sky News the long-standing US-Australia relationship was at a 'low ebb'.
'There is a deep-seated anti-American sentiment that is shared by numerous senior members of the federal government,' he said.
'This disdain for our most important ally leaves us vulnerable and demonstrates we are poor partners in trade and security.
'The last thing Australia needs is a federal government that is deliberately sabotaging our long-term relationships with trusted partners, particularly our number one ally, the United States.'
Mr Creighton also pointed to Mr Albanese's decision to stick with Kevin Rudd as ambassador to the US despite the fact the Trump administration has little time for him.
Mr Rudd was recently deemed the 'biggest issue' blocking any future meeting between Mr Albanese and President Trump.
'Many have said for a long time that Kevin Rudd will be persona non grata in the Trump administration — and this has proven to be true,' he said.
'The Prime Minister is delusional if he thinks Kevin Rudd is the best person to represent Australia in Washington DC.
'Why is the Prime Minister undermining our national security by sticking with Rudd when he has proven to have absolutely no ability to work with President Trump?' Albanese 'not worried'
While the Albanese government has claimed the alliance with the US remains solid, Mr Albanese has been incapable of organising a meeting with President Trump.
Their previously scheduled meeting at the G7 was abruptly cancelled and President Trump did not contact Mr Albanese afterwards, despite contacting other world leaders.
Speaking at Sky News' Australia's Economic Outlook forum on Friday, he insisted that a meeting with President Trump would take place before the end of the year.
'Well, of course we will have meetings, there will be a range of meetings between now and the end of the year with President Trump,' he said.

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles

ABC News
35 minutes ago
- ABC News
Donald Trump addresses floods in Texas
US President Donald Trump addresses the floods in Texas, saying he will work with the governor.

News.com.au
35 minutes ago
- News.com.au
Labor not given Australia ‘best chance' of tariff carve out, opposition says, as Trump sends letters
Australian goods may not be getting slugged with higher US tariffs, but that does not mean the country is getting the best deal possible, the opposition says. Donald Trump has begun sending out letters to countries that failed to lock in new trading terms with the US. The letters informed them their exports to the US would be hit with new tariff rates from August 1. The countries included close allies Japan and South Korea, which both face 25 per cent imposts. For others, the new rate is as high as 40 per cent. Australia was not named among those facing 'reciprocal tariffs' announced in April but was instead subjected to the universal 10 per cent taxes on all foreign imports – a position Anthony Albanese has said he did not expect to change. Opposition finance spokesman James Paterson said on Tuesday any tariffs on Australia were unacceptable but the Prime Minister had not given Australia the 'best chance' of getting a carve out. 'The only fair tariff on Australia would be 0 per cent, and I hope that's what we get,' Senator Paterson told Nine's Today. 'But we haven't given ourselves the best chance of securing that from the Trump administration because the Prime Minister has not even met President Trump now, seven months after he was elected. 'In stark contrast to other world leaders, like the UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer who did secure an exemption from steel and aluminium tariffs for the UK because of the personal relationship that he formed with President Trump. 'I really hope the Prime Minister doesn't leave it any longer before he forms that relationship and argues for the best case possible for our country.' The UK and Vietnam are the only countries to secure deals with the Trump administration. Though, neither have escaped the US President's levies altogether, with Vietnam still subject to 20 per cent duties. UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer has said his efforts to build a strong personal relationship with Mr Trump helped secure tariff leniency, particularly on automakers. British cars were facing a 25 per cent rate, but that was dropped to 10 per cent. Similarly, British steel and aluminium have remained at the initial 25 per cent rate, while Australian steel and aluminium have been swept up in the 50 per cent rate. But speaking to Sky News, Assistant Treasurer Dan Mulino insisted the Albanese government was 'clearly continuing to argue for the best possible deal'. 'My understanding is that we are still at the position of having a 10 per cent tariff imposed, but the good news is that that is the lowest rate that any country has been able to secure,' he said. 'So we'll continue to argue for the best possible deal, and we'll continue to argue for it to be lower than that.' Mr Mulino went on to cite Productivity Commission analysis that suggested Australia could have an advantage over other countries because 'if we're lower than other countries, that might present opportunities for us to increase our trade with the US'. 'In some situations, the tariffs the US imposing might also offer opportunities for us to secure goods from other countries that might be redirecting their trade to other parts of the world,' he said.


SBS Australia
an hour ago
- SBS Australia
Benjamin Netanyahu says he has nominated Donald Trump for the Nobel Peace Prize
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has met with US President Donald Trump at the White House. Netanyahu said Trump was "forging peace as we speak" across multiple regions. Trump said he was confident a Gaza ceasefire deal could be implemented. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he had nominated United States President Donald Trump for the Nobel Peace Prize, presenting him with a letter he sent to the prize committee. "He's forging peace as we speak, in one country, in one region after the other," Netanyahu said at a dinner with Trump at the White House on Tuesday AEST. Trump has received multiple Nobel Peace Prize nominations from supporters and loyal politicians over the years, and has made no secret of his irritation at missing out on the prestigious award. The Republican has complained he had been overlooked by the Norwegian Nobel Committee for his mediating role in conflicts between India and Pakistan, as well as Serbia and Kosovo. He has also demanded credit for "keeping peace" between Egypt and Ethiopia and brokering the Abraham Accords, a series of agreements aimed at normalising relations between Israel and several Arab nations. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has travelled to the White House to meet with US President Donald Trump. Source: AAP / AP / Alex Brandon Trump campaigned for office as a "peacemaker" who would use his negotiating skills to quickly end wars in Ukraine and Gaza, although both conflicts are still raging more than five months into his presidency. Trump confident of Gaza ceasefire Netanyahu travelled to the US to meet with Trump at the White House, with Trump saying beforehand he would push for a ceasefire in Gaza. He told reporters on Tuesday he was confident Palestinian militant group Hamas was willing to agree to a truce with Israel . Hamas' attack on southern Israel in October 2023 killed more than 1,200 people, with more than 250 taken hostage, according to Israeli figures. Israel's retaliatory campaign has killed at least 57,523 people in Gaza, according to the territory's health ministry. The United Nations considers the figures reliable. US to send more weapons to Ukraine Trump also told reporters the US would send additional weapons to Ukraine after the White House announced a halt to some arms shipments to Kyiv the previous week. "We're going to have to send more weapons — defensive weapons primarily," Trump told journalists at the White House. "They're getting hit very, very hard," he said of Ukraine while saying he is "not happy" with Russian President Vladimir Putin.