Government distances itself from WA Premier’s JD Vance ‘knob’ remark

Labor has gone into damage control after Western Australia’s premier called Donald Trump’s number two a ‘knob’.

Richard Marles says he would not call US Vice President JD Vance a “knob”, distancing the Albanese government from the remark by Western Australia’s premier.

Roger Cook’s description of Mr Vance came as Australia vies for an exemption from the Trump administration’s sweeping tariffs on foreign steel and aluminium.

The Deputy Prime Minister said on Wednesday he “wouldn’t use that language” and that Mr Cook had acknowledged it “wasn’t a moment of the greatest discipline on his part”.

Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles says he would not call US Vice President JD Vance a ‘knob’. Picture: NewsWire / Martin Ollman

“That’s obviously not language I would use in terms of describing the American Vice-President and to be frank, the relationship between our government and the new administration in America is going well and they have treated us with enormous respect,” Mr Marles told the ABC.

“I was the first of (JD Vance’s) international counterparts that he met of anyone around the world.

“Penny Wong was the second foreign minister that Secretary Rubio met in terms of any foreign minister around the world.

“We’ve had two discussions between the Prime Minister and the President.

“You know, there is a real courtesy and respect which is being afforded to us by the Trump administration and we’re grateful for that.”

Mr Cook, who is seeking a third term, made the comment at a pre-election event in Perth, during which he said the Trump administration represented an “uncertain” road.

A journalist asked him to finish the sentence: “JD Vance is a …”

“Knob,” Mr Cook replied, sparking laughter and applause.

Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles says he would not call US Vice President JD Vance (left) a ‘knob’. Picture: Roberto Schmidt / AFP

He later brushed it off as a “lighthearted, non-professional moment” and said he “didn’t mean any offence”.

“When I made the comments there was a lot of applause around the room so perhaps some people enjoyed the fun that came with it,” he told reporters.

“Other people might have been offended and I apologise.”

Donald Trump and Mr Vance sparked international ire after they berated Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy during a broadcast exchange in the White House.

Mr Vance accused the Mr Zelenskyy of not being grateful enough for US support as Ukraine fights back against invading Russian forces.