<
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/sep/16/donald-trump-clashes-with-australian-abc-journalist-and-hints-at-albanese-meeting>
"Australia’s politicians have thrown their support behind an
ABC journalist
who was berated by Donald Trump after asking questions about the US president’s
personal business dealings in Washington DC on Tuesday.
Trump was answering questions on the White House lawn when he clashed with the
ABC’s Americas editor, John Lyons, who said he was reporting for
Four
Corners.
The exchange also appeared to include Trump’s first confirmation he would meet
Anthony Albanese for their first face-to-face talks, as part of the PM’s visit
to the UN general assembly next week.
Lyons asked Trump how much wealthier he had become since returning to the Oval
Office for his second term in January, noting that he was regarded as the
wealthiest man to occupy the White House.
“I don’t know,” Trump said, explaining that his children were responsible for
the family business, the Trump Organization.
“But most of the deals that I’ve made were made before,” he said. “This is what
I’ve done for a life. I’ve built buildings.”
He pointed to the site of a grand ballroom planned for the White House.
Lyons then asked whether it was appropriate for a US president to be conducting
personal business while in office. “I’m really not, my kids are running the
business,” Trump said before asking Lyons where he was from.
Trump then accused Lyons of “hurting Australia” with the line of questioning.
“In my opinion, you are hurting Australia very much right now. And they want to
get along with me.
“You know, your leader is coming over to see me very soon. I’m going to tell
him about you. You set a very bad tone.
“You can set a nicer tone,” Trump said, before telling Lyons: “Quiet.”
Australia’s treasurer, Jim Chalmers, said Lyons was “just doing his job”.
“I respect the
ABC and I respect its independence and that extends to not
second-guessing the questions asked legitimately by journalists,” he said.
Lyons told the
ABC his questions had been “perfectly normal,” describing them
as fair, based on research and not asked in an abusive fashion.
“If we’ve reached the point where asking those sort of questions prevents you
from going into the White House, then I think it’s a very dark day,” he said.
“I’ve still got to brace myself for what happens when he tells on me.”"
Cheers,
*** Xanni ***
--
mailto:xanni@xanadu.net Andrew Pam
http://xanadu.com.au/ Chief Scientist, Xanadu
https://glasswings.com.au/ Partner, Glass Wings
https://sericyb.com.au/ Manager, Serious Cybernetics
