Australia’s richest woman Gina Rinehart spotted at Trump party

An Australian rich lister and vocal advocate of Donald Trump has made a surprise appearance at the incumbent president’s election day event.

Australia’s richest person and vocal Donald Trump supporter Gina Rinehart has been spotted rubbing shoulder’s at the incumbent president’s election day event.

The mining magnate was pictured at Trump’s Mar-A-Lago resort in Palm Beach, Florida on election night on Wednesday as the results started trickling in.

Ms Rinehart was seated next to Reform UK party leader and Brexit campaigner Nigel Farage and former Liberal Party vice-president Teena McQueen.

With an estimated net worth of $40bn, Ms Rinehart has been a vocal supporter of the controversial former president throughout the campaign.

She told The Australian that she was “nervous, but very much I am hoping for a Trump victory” just days out from polls opening in the US.

The magnate described Trump as “patriotic and courageous” and slammed Democratic hopeful Kamala Harris as “more socialist and worse than” Joe Biden.

Nonetheless, Ms Rinehart voiced opposition to the possibility of Mr Trump imposing tariffs amid concerns he will reignite a trade war between the US and China.

Gina Rinehart (centre), with former Liberal Party vice-president Teena McQueen and Reform UK party leader Nigel Farage. Picture: Michael Koziol

The former US president’s shocking victory sent shockwaves through international markets and drew swift, mixed reactions from Australian politicians.

In a tweet, Anthony Albanese congratulated Mr Trump and said “Australians and Americans are great friends and true allies”.

“Working together, we can ensure the partnership between our nations and peoples remains strong into the future,” the Prime Minister said on Wednesday.

Peter Dutton echoed that sentiment, stating he hoped the two countries “draw renewed energy and confidence from the things that unite the American and Australian people: the principles we hold dear, the patriotism that drives us, and the pragmatism that defines us”.

“The United States has been an overwhelming force for good in the world. When our close ally is strong and at its best, the world is at its best,” the Opposition Leader said.

Greens leader Adam Bandt had a different opinion, calling the election result a “pretty terrifying outcome for many of us”.

“In times like these it can be easy to feel defeated. But there’s too much at stake to give up hope,” he said on X, formerly Twitter.

“My heart is with every person in the USA and around the world who feels justifiable terror tonight.

“Hold your loved ones close. Tomorrow we pick ourselves up and we continue the fight. Hate will not win.”

Mr Trump’s election day event was attended by business and cultural leaders, notably Tesla billionaire Elon Musk, who was a vocal advocate of the ex-president.

Originally published as Australia’s richest woman Gina Rinehart spotted at Trump party