Donald Trump has criticized Australia’s ambassador to the United States, former Prime Minister Kevin Rudd, describing him as “nasty” and “not the brightest bulb”.
Interviewed by GB News’ Nigel Farage, the former president also suggested that Rudd may not be able to retain his ambassadorial role if he is elected US president again in November.
His comments come after Rudd called Trump a “crazy”, “the most destructive president in history” and a “traitor to the West” before he was appointed to the diplomatic post.
Farage said: “Things have changed in Australia. We have a Labor government. The previous ambassador, Joe Hockey, was, I think, a very good friend of yours. Now they have named Kevin Rudd.
“He said the most horrible things; you have been a destructive president, a traitor to the West, and he is now Australia’s ambassador to Washington.
Trump replied: “I don’t know, he won’t be here long if that’s the case.”
“I don’t know much about him. I heard he was a bit mean. I heard it wasn’t the brightest bulb.
“If he’s hostile, he won’t be there long.”
This is the first time Trump has publicly mentioned Rudd and if he wins the presidential race in November, it could create tensions between Canberra and Washington.
Since being appointed U.S. ambassador last April, Rudd has been actively working on relations with both Republicans and Democrats.
“In terms of the ability of the Australian government to manage the relationship with whoever wins the next election, Republican or Democrat, we are well equipped for that task,” Mr Rudd told News Corp earlier.
But many political commentators believe that Rudd’s time in Washington is limited and that he will not survive a second Trump presidency.
Donald Trump has criticized former Prime Minister and Ambassador to the United States Kevin Rudd and described him as “nasty” and “not the brightest bulb.”
His comments come after Rudd called Trump a “crazy”, “the most destructive president in history” and a “traitor to the West”.
Earlier this year, Sky News host Andrew Bolt told the ambassador to “get ready to pack your bags”.
“How could Rudd ask Trump for favors for Australia when this sensitive braggart knows how Rudd has defamed him all over the world?,” Bolt wrote.
He accused Rudd of having “poor judgement”.
“I guess Trump is seen as a violent crackpot and a wrecker who’s done for. That’s a serious underestimate,” he wrote.
This view was echoed by Liberal Defense and National Security Chairman Lincoln Parker, who told the network that Rudd will have to go if Trump is re-elected because they go together like “oil and the water “.
“If the Australian government wants to communicate effectively with the Trump administration, it will need to find a new Australian ambassador in Washington DC,” Parker said.
“Kevin Rudd is going to have to leave and maybe go back to the role he had with the Asia Society because it’s not a good mix.”
But some believe Rudd will survive if Trump returns to the White House in November.
Joe Hockey, US ambassador to Australia during Trump’s presidency, told The Australian that Rudd’s tough stance on China would curry favor with a Republican administration.
“I think if Donald Trump is elected, from day one he will have a long list of people he wants revenge against.” And Kevin Rudd is not one of them,” Hockey said.
“His credentials as a China hawk are going to be greater than the criticisms he’s made (of Trump) before and he’s reached out to all sides of the Republican Party as well, that’s the truth.”
Rudd acknowledged that there will always be “disagreements” between diplomats and administrations.
“It’s the normal business of diplomacy. We usually conduct them in private,” he told News Corp.
Rudd said he was willing to meet with Trump, but admitted he had not made a direct approach.
“The last thing you want to do as a candidate is waste your time with a bunch of well-meaning foreign diplomats,” he said.