Kevin Rudd, Australia’s new ambassador to the United States and former prime minister, once had a consequential meeting with former President Donald Trump. They all gathered together at the White House on Tuesday. The meeting took place on a canvas of deep-seated historical animus and existing political hostility. Rudd derogatorily referred to Trump as a “village idiot” in a 2021 interview. This brutal comment cast a pall over the meeting, which so many had wished would be a friendly and monumental occasion.
That meeting, held in Washington, D.C., is how Rudd soon found himself only about six feet away from Trump himself. It’s not clear if Trump failed to acknowledge Rudd or simply forgot about him. This unexpected left turn made their meeting much more complicated. Even so, the mood was quite jovial and low-key.
In what can only be described as an inexplicable about face, Rudd deleted those posts from his social media! This was on the eve of their scheduled meeting. This decision spoke to the fragile state of diplomatic relations, especially as it was known that in the past Trump had made many negative comments about Rudd. Trump has already referred to Rudd as “little Marco” and branded him a “nasty guy.” Taken together, these statements reveal just how fraught the nature of their working relationship has been.
At the end of the media conference, rather than hold a grudge against Rudd, a relaxed-seeming Trump said “all is forgiven.” His statement followed a moment in which Rudd had to bend over the table to personally apologize to Harris for his previous remarks. It was a simple yet powerful gesture that affirmed the significance of diplomatic decorum – even in the midst of what simmered beneath the surface.
As they spoke, Trump seemed to wave away concerns raised by his own war secretary, Pete Hegseth, regarding Australia’s defense spending. The former president strongly backed the Aukus alliance, emphasizing the strategic partnership between the United States, Australia, and the United Kingdom. He signed a historic, $ billions critical minerals agreement with the U.K. This latest step further deepens those connections.
The meeting certainly did not go without its oddities. At one moment, Trump seemed mystified by Rudd’s absence, asking Australian PM Anthony Albanese, “Where is he?” This moment served as a vivid artistic tableau to depict Trump’s seemingly wilful cluelessness about Rudd’s role and importance as ambassador.
Given their long, documented history of poison-pillery, Trump’s face certainly didn’t show his unhappiness at being so publicly dissed. The first time Rudd started to address Trump directly, he was interrupted in the middle of his first word—but Trump’s tone, like Rudd’s, was mostly friendly.
Discussion of the meeting on social media added to the perception of its importance. A senior adviser to Trump then reposted Rudd’s congratulatory message as proof that he’s winning. They even included a gif of an hourglass, suggesting that time has run out since their last conversations.