Former PM Scott Morrison backs in a second Donald Trump US presidency

The former prime minister was full of praise for a likely second Donald Trump presidency, saying it would be a win for the US economy.

Former prime minister Scott Morrison has welcomed a likely second Donald Trump presidency, saying it would lead to a “rejuvenation of the US economy”.

Mr Morris said the Republican candidate had given a “stellar” performance during the election campaign.

All but declaring the win for the former businessman, Mr Morrison said Mr Trump had “won this election,” and believed a result would be called by Wednesday night Australian time.

Mr Morrison, who left politics to join a US-based security and defence think tank, dashed claims Mr Trump was a “scary” character, following unearthed 2017 footage of Anthony Albanese who said the leader “scares the sh*t out of me”.

Congratulations President Trump. pic.twitter.com/0Qy07fcbcV

— Scott Morrison (@ScoMo30) November 6, 2024

“Vladimir Putin is scary. Xi Jinping is scary. Ayatollah Khomeini is scary. Donald Trump is not scary,” Mr Morrison told Sky News on Wednesday.

“I think the three places that will be most unhappy with this result tonight will be in Tehran, will be in Beijing and will be in Moscow.”

Mr Morrison’s prime ministership coincided with Mr Trump’s first presidency between 2018 to 2021, with Mr Morrison sharing effusive praise for the leader.

“The US is an entrepreneurial animal ... and I think we’ll see great confidence come into that economy,” he said.

Mr Morrison also backed former Labor PM Kevin Rudd to continue in his role as Australia’s ambassador to the US, and said Mr Rudd had been “building those relationships across the aisle”.

Former Liberal prime minister Scott Morrison was full of praise for Donald Trump, who will win a second stint in the White House. Picture: NewsWire/ Flavio Brancaleone

Touching on international matters, Mr Morrison also said he was “confident” he would pressure Russian President Vladimir Putin to end his illegal invasion of Ukraine.

Mr Morrison said Mr Trump “won’t want to negotiate or enter into an arrangement from a position of weakness,” and expected to see the “issue resolved”.

“If Vladimir Putin thinks he’s going to get an easy ride out of Donald Trump, he’s got another thing coming,” said Mr Morrison.

“He will know very quickly that any arrangement that he ends up agreeing to isn’t the one that he has in mind right now and one that he believes he will achieve by pressing on with this murderous war.”

Ambassador’s call on US election

Earlier on Wednesday, United States’ ambassador Caroline Kennedy said relations between Australia and the US would continue to deepen regardless of who was president, calling Australia “the most trusted capable ally”.

“One of the things that I say every single day here in Australia is how strong its alliance is and how unshakeable and how much stronger it’s growing everyday,” she told the ABC.

“I have seen that first-hand since I have been here.

“So no matter who wins the election, the fundamentals are there and only getting stronger.”

US Ambassador to Australia Caroline Kennedy says bilateral relations will deepen regardless of who wins the White House. Picture: NewsWire / Kelly Barnes

She pointed to the trilateral AUKUS security pact between Australia, the US and the United Kingdom, as well as two-way trade and Australia’s role in supplying critical minerals to the US.

“So there’s just so many things to bring us together,” Ms Kennedy said.

“That’s not going to change.”

Meanwhile, questions have been looming about Australian Ambassador to the US Kevin Rudd in the event of a second Trump presidency.

The former Labor prime minister has called Mr Trump “nuts”, the “most destructive president in history” and a “traitor to the West”.

Questions are looming over the future of both Australia’s ambassador to the US Kevin Rudd (left) and the US’s ambassador to Australia Caroline Kennedy (right) if Donald Trump wins the White House. Picture: NewsWire / Martin Ollman

Mr Trump has called Mr Rudd “nasty” and “not the brightest bulb”.

“If he’s at all hostile, he will not be there long,” the former president said in an interview earlier this year.

The verbal barbs have prompted the opposition to question if Mr Rudd would be able to serve Australia effectively if the Republicans won.

Election eve polling put Mr Trump and Ms Harris neck and neck ahead of the vote on Tuesday (local time).

Candidate need to secure 270 electoral votes to win the presidency.

Originally published as Former PM Scott Morrison backs in a second Donald Trump US presidency