Australian author Peter FitzSimons has hinted that he may abandon Elon Musk’s “free speech” platform, X, following Donald Trump’s historic presidential victory, after suggesting that Americans who voted for him were stupid.
Shortly after 6pm AEDT on Wednesday, Trump took to the stage to declare victory over his Democratic opponent Kamala Harris.
FitzSimons, who “quietly thought Kamala was going to win,” was active on X when Trump announced his victory.
Throughout the night, he interacted with his followers to discuss Trump’s victory and its impact on global politics.
One follower commented that FitzSimons was “witnessing the result of the brutalization of America” and warned Australians to learn from the US election.
FitzSimons responded: “That is also a question worth exploring.” What are the political ramifications for Australia?
In another post, he noted that he believed most Australians would “stagger in horror at Trump’s America”, although he doubted Trump’s style of politics would fully translate to Australia, but warned “there could be attempts”.
FitzSimons also agreed with another X user who described Trump’s victory as a “horrible result” and noted that Republican supporters were “coming out of nowhere.”
Australian author and left-wing journalist Peter FitzSimons (pictured with wife Lisa Wilkinson) has said he may leave social media platform X following Donald Trump’s election victory.
Before the election, Peter FitzSimons shared a post on social media suggesting that those who voted for Trump had low IQs.
‘TRUE. And they are emboldened. But, as they say in the classics, it is what it is. So that we hold the line,” replied Mr. FitzSimons.
Another suggested it was time to abandon X, saying Trump, Musk and “right-wing extremists” would make the platform unbearable.
FitzSimons added: “A lot of people seem to be taking that view. I’ll see how it goes. If it turns into a cesspool, I guess I’ll have to do it too.
While Trump supporters celebrated his historic political return, many around the world were unimpressed with his imminent return to the Oval Office.
Greens leader Adam Bandt shared his disappointment, saying Trump’s presidential victory was a “bad day for the world.”
“This is a pretty scary result for many of us,” Bandt wrote.
‘In times like these, it can be easy to feel defeated. But there is too much at stake to give up hope. We must unite and continue our fight for people and the planet.’
Bandt also claimed that the Trump administration would encourage far-right hate and extremism.
“President Trump will embolden far-right hate and extremism in the United States and abroad,” Bandt wrote.
“We have seen far-right extremism grow around the world and time and time again it has been strengthened by Trump’s anti-immigration rhetoric.”
Meanwhile, Anthony Albanese has said he is “looking forward” to working with Trump after being asked if he would apologize for previous comments criticizing the new US president.
The Prime Minister was recorded saying Trump “scares the hell out of me” while he was shadow transport and infrastructure minister in 2017 and insisted Australia should treat him with “concern”.
Sunrise host Nat Barr suggested Albanese may need to apologize after Trump was elected president and reporters looked into the matter further Thursday morning.
Republican leader Donald Trump claimed victory after beating his Democratic rival Kamala Harris in key states.
“No, I look forward to working with President Trump,” Albanese said.
‘I think I have demonstrated my ability to work with world leaders and develop relationships with them, which are positive.
“And I think I have demonstrated that in the two and a half years that I have had the honor of being Prime Minister.”
In 2020, Albanese described Joe Biden’s 2020 election victory over Trump as a “triumph of hope over fear.”
