Foreign Minister Penny Wong and Australia’s US ambassador to attend Donald Trump’s Inauguration

Despite a terse start to the relationship, Australia’s ambassador to the US, Kevin Rudd will be attending the inauguration of president-elect Donald Trump.

Foreign Minister Penny Wong and Australia’s ambassador to the US Kevin Rudd will both attend the inauguration of Donald Trump, despite furore over historic tweets in which Dr Rudd labelled the incoming US president as “the most destructive president in history”.

Senator Wong’s office confirmed they will both represent Australia at the event on January 20 in Washington D.C. with the minister slated to hold meetings with key members of the Trump Administration and US congress during the visit.

Senator Wong said she was “honoured to be invited” and said it was “demonstration of the steadfast alliance between Australia and the US”.

Foreign Minister Penny Wong said she was “honoured” to be invited to Donald Trump’s inauguration. Picture: NewsWire/ Martin Ollman

Australia’s ambassador to the US, Kevin Rudd will also attend. Picture: NewsWire/ Martin Ollman

It’s understood there are also currently discussions around convening a meeting between the foreign ministers among the Quad, which also includes the US, India, Japan and Australia.

“The United States is Australia’s vital ally, closest global partner, and most important strategic relationship,” she said.

“This early visit will be an important opportunity to discuss how we can advance the benefits of our strong economic and security partnership and expand our co-operation.”

Following Mr Trump’s election win in November, Dr Rudd, who was appointed the ambassadorship in March 2023, was lambasted over historic social media posts from 2022 in which he called the president-elect a “traitor to the West,” and “the “most destructive president in history”.

Donald Trump will be sworn in as the 47th president of the United States on January 20. Picture: Allison Robbert/ Pool/ AFP

Tensions were inflamed after longstanding Trump aide Dan Scabino Jr. shared a GIF of a hourglass in response to an X post from Mr Rudd congratulating Mr Trump on his win, suggesting Dr Rudd’s days in the job were numbered.

In response to the deleted tweet, Dr Rudd’s office confirmed the tweets had been deleted “out of respect for the office of the president of the US”.

“This has been done to eliminate the possibility of such comments being misconstrued as reflecting his positions as ambassador and, by extension, the views of the Australian government,” he said.

“Ambassador Rudd looks forward to working with president Trump and his team to continue strengthening the US-Australia alliance.”

Originally published as Foreign Minister Penny Wong and Australia’s US ambassador to attend Donald Trump’s Inauguration