Deng Thiak Adut social media account unleashes on Donald Trump in now-deleted Facebook post
Deng Thiak Adut’s social media account unleashes on Donald Trump over a range of issues including the war in Gaza as wildfires destroy America’s second largest city — leading to rebukes from Jewish leaders.
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A post shared by former NSW Australian of the Year, lawyer Deng Thiak Adut, expressed hope that Donald Trump burns in LA’s “God fires”, as retribution for aligning himself with Israel, saying: “I hope you burn for burning children in Gaza!”.
On Saturday, a Facebook account belonging to lawyer and refugee advocate Adut, a recipient of the Australian of Year award 2017, a post referenced the LA fires said: “I am glad the weather forecast is hell for you. I hope you burn … Burning children in Gaza!
“Why shouldn’t I celebrate you being burnt by God fire! Free speech,” the post goes on to say. The post has since been deleted.
The bizarre outburst also attacks the US government for withdrawing its weapons used in Sudan after Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced sanctions against RSF leader Mohammad Hamdan Daglo Mousa and seven RSF-linked companies based in the United Arab Emirates.
Curiously, the post said: “I heard Trump doesn’t want his dirty weapon (sic) used in Sudan.
“The dirty UAE citizens or associates should stay away from Sudan, and South Sudan. I am not your friend … go to hell, you merchants of death.
“We are all going to die, so l don’t fear anything.”
A separate post last June expressed solidarity with Hamas writing: “Israel Must go. No time for killing, and enough is enough”.
“INDIGENOUS PEOPLES. Now, leave Africa forever. No more Israel in Africa, you heard … I am now a pro Russian and Hamas until the day I die.”
“Jewish are safe forever but not people who want to kill people. I am HAMAS now, Arabs, keep the hell out of Sudan …” it continued.
Another post suggested Mr Adut could take on Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Opposition Leader Peter Dutton in “hand to hand combat”.
The Australian Jewish Association has led calls for Mr Adut’s 2017 award to be revoked is lodging a complaint with the legal watchdog The Law Society.
“These comments are reprehensible. The fires in Los Angeles have taken 24 lives, including an Australian,” said CEO Robert Gregory.
“There is zero connection to Gaza, and it is bizarre to make one. In another post, Mr Adut appears to claim that he supports the proscribed terrorist organisation, Hamas.
“It is particularly concerning that these posts were made by someone who practices as a lawyer and who was honoured as the NSW Australian of the year.
“Mr Adut’s conduct is increasingly erratic and risks bringing the awards into disrepute. His NSW Australian of the year award should be revoked.
“We are making a complaint to the NSW Law Society.”
Mr Adut’s inspiring journey from immigrant to qualified defence lawyer netted him the 2017 NSW Australian of the Year title.
He met with King Charles and Queen Camilla during their first tour as monarch of Australia in October 2024 at a community BBQ in Parramatta Park hosted by NSW Premier Chris Minns.
At the height of the civil conflict in South Sudan in the late-1980s, Mr Adut was taken captive from his mother and handed an AK-47.
Alongside thousands of other children he was forced to become a child soldier until he escaped his homeland in Southern Sudan camouflaged under sacks of corn on the back of a truck in 1995.
He arrived in Australia in 1998, aged 14, without speaking a word of English and received Australian citizenship in 2001 working part-time jobs to make ends meet.
Thanks to a scholarship at the Western Sydney University he completed a TAFE course and a law degree.
He subsequently worked pro bono for immigrants predominantly from Western Sydney.
He is the co-founder at the Australian Criminal Law Group based in Sydney.
Adut has been contacted for comment.
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