From flowers to golf, no missteps in Albanese’s visit
The PM’s invitation to stay at the official presidential guest residence Blair House was an early sign the first bilateral meeting with Trump was going to be a success.
Anthony Albanese’s invitation from Donald Trump to stay at the official presidential guest residence Blair House was an early sign the first bilateral meeting between the pair was going to be a success.
With the Australian flag flying outside the historic residence across the road from the White House, Albanese was greeted on arrival with a bunch of flowers sent over from Trump and First Lady, Melania.
Original plans to host the meeting in the Oval Office were changed at the last minute to accommodate Trump’s top officials.
After Albanese was given a special tour of Trump’s renovated office and Presidential Walk of Fame, the main action took place in the West Wing Cabinet room.
Albanese was ushered to a seat next to Trump on the American side of the table that featured heavy-hitters including US Vice-President JD Vance, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, White House chief-of-staff Susie Wiles, US Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum and US Secretary of the Navy John Phelan.
On the opposite side of the Cabinet table was the Australian delegation, which included Albanese’s chief-of-staff Tim Gartrell, Ambassador to the US Kevin Rudd, Department of Prime Minister & Cabinet secretary Steven Kennedy, Resources Minister Madeleine King, Industry Minister Tim Ayres and the PM’s communications director Fiona Sugden.
The menu for the light working lunch was healthier than the McDonald’s cheeseburgers that Trump has been known to devour.
The three-courses included a fall green salad with sunset tomatoes and White House honey dressing, rosemary roast chicken with celery root puree, asparagus, collard greens and Dijon sauce, and a pear pavlova with candied ginger ice cream and berry compote.
Sitting opposite Trump, Rudd was on his best behaviour hoping to escape the glare of the Republican billionaire he once described as “the most destructive president in history”, “nuts” and a “traitor to the west”.
During a 40-minute pre-lunch press conference, Trump was asked about Rudd’s “nasty” comments.
Trump’s response was brutal. And Rudd couldn’t walk away from what he had said.
“Maybe he’d like to apologise,” Trump said.
He turned to a smiling Albanese and said: “Did an ambassador say something bad about me … don’t tell … where is he?”
To Rudd, he said: “You say bad?”
Rudd said: “Before I took this position, Mr President”.
Trump responded with “I don’t like you either and I probably never will”, which drew laughs from everyone at the table including Albanese.
On a lighter note, Trump said he was very keen to become the first US President to travel down under since Barack Obama in 2014.
And the obvious lure for the golf mad US President is the 2028 President’s Cup at the Kingston Heath Golf Club in Melbourne.
Albanese, who prefers tennis, might have to get some golf lessons in advance of hosting Trump for a hit around during both Australian and US election years.
Following his lunch with Mr Trump, Mr Albanese was due to meet with US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and dine with Mr Rubio.
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