Donald Trump clashed with an Australian journalist over his business dealings while in office, accusing him of “hurting Australia.” John Lyons of the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) asked Trump during his state visit to the UK how much wealthier he had become since returning to the White House in January. Trump deflected, saying his children manage his businesses, and added that he would inform Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese about Lyons, remarking, “you set a very bad tone.”
On Thursday, ABC announced that it would no longer have a spot at a joint news conference with Trump and UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer at Chequers, citing logistical reasons. The network said it was still accredited to attend the prime minister’s country residence but there was no indication that the exclusion was linked to Lyons’ questioning.
During Wednesday’s encounter, Trump held his index finger to his lips and said “quiet,” walking away when Lyons attempted to ask a follow-up question. He also told Lyons that he would meet Albanese soon and inform him about the journalist. Albanese had previously sought a meeting with Trump after their G20 summit talks were canceled when Trump left early to address the war in the Middle East. Albanese is expected to meet Trump at the UN General Assembly in New York next week.
Relations between the US and Australia have recently been tense, particularly after the Trump administration reviewed the Aukus submarine deal worth £176 billion, signed in 2021, and imposed a tariff of at least 10% on Australian exports. Lyons defended his questioning, calling it a fair and polite inquiry based on research for ABC’s Four Corners program investigating Trump’s business dealings since returning to office. The White House later posted on social media, describing the exchange as Trump “smacks down a rude foreign Fake News loser.”
