Clive Palmer’s explosive, rambling Today show appearance: ‘I don’t give a stuff about you’

Clive Palmer made an explosive and rambling TV appearance, touting his huge wealth and saying he doesn’t “give a stuff” what people think.

Clive Palmer has made a rambling appearance on breakfast TV, touting his extraordinary wealth and declaring he doesn’t “give a stuff” what people think about him.

The United Australia Party leader and mining mogul was on Today, addressing his preference deal with the Liberal Party.

Mr Palmer took exception to host Deborah Knight’s line of questioning, repeatedly shouting her down and accusing her of not listening to him.

But it was when addressing criticism of him — including reminders of the times he fell asleep in parliament when serving as the member for Fairfax — that Mr Palmer really fired up.

“My wealth is $4000 million,” Mr Palmer said. “Do you think I give a stuff about you, what you personally think or anyone else (thinks)?”

That’s not a typo — $4000 million is how the colourful businessman constantly refers to his personal worth.

Clive Palmer made an explosive appearance on the Today show.

In a bizarre tangent, which characterised much of his commentary during the interview, he went on to talk about his family’s war service.

“My members of my family have died in the First World War. Served at Tobruk and Kokoda … they have done more for this country than you or I can do. We are not going to let them down, the Anzacs down, who fought for this country.”

Mr Palmer will hold a press conference this afternoon to confirm the UAP’s preference deal with the Liberal Party.

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Clive Palmer, when he was the Member for Fairfax, falls asleep during House of Representatives Question Time.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison has faced criticism for getting into bed with someone who owes millions of dollars in entitlements to workers at his collapsed Queensland Nickel refinery.

Mr Palmer insisted he has paid $7 million into a trust that lawyers would disperse to former employees, but he would not be drawn on the money the government had to stump up when his business folded.

Seriously? Newspoll is a conspiracy? The “real” support for the UAP will see it elected to govern? Now this really is unhinged. We’re told money can’t buy happiness but it seems an ability to make obscene amounts of it does not even require a loose grip on reality. https://t.co/kwS1g5zrDY

— Mark Kenny (@markgkenny) April 28, 2019

pay 👏 your 👏 workers https://t.co/Lyg3RxC0hM

— Eliza Berlage (@verbaliza) April 28, 2019

Mr Palmer also took aim at Labor for “lying” about the extent of discussions with UAP about sharing preferences.

“Anthony Albanese is a liar. He doesn’t even know. It is different that we have people attacking people permanently,” Mr Palmer said.

Clive Palmer made an explosive appearance on the Today show.

He was also asked about dealing with the Liberals, given Mr Morrison once called him a clown.

“I’m not in favour of people calling people names. From any person. It’s just a distraction from the main issue.”

That’s curious, given he once compared Mr Morrison to a Nazi.

Mr Palmer also described opinion polls as “fake news”, invoking Donald Trump, insisting that the UAP is polling “much higher” than the five per cent indicated.

“Do you think there would be all this fuss if we were polling five per cent? Of course we are not. We are polling much higher than that. And there is 28 per cent of Australians that have yet to make their decision.”

Polling shows that Mr Palmer’s preferences could be key in deciding who wins government — something he seems emboldened about.

“They shouldn’t have sour grapes at the Liberals over preferences,” he said about Labor’s attacks.

“He (Bill Shorten) would love to have our preferences.”

Mr Palmer also said he’s confident the UAP will win government.