Kevin Rudd says new vice president candidate will help him smooth things over with Trump

Ambassador to the US Kevin Rudd broke his silence on Donald Trump’s threat to refuse to work together, as the former PM revealed his close connection to the new vice president pick.

Kevin Rudd has broken his silence on Donald Trump’s threat to refuse to work with him if he returns to power, expressing confidence that his relationships with top Republicans would ensure he would remain Australia’s ambassador to the US.

Speaking on the sidelines of the Republican convention, the former prime minister revealed he had a longstanding “texting relationship” with Trump’s new running mate JD Vance.

US Senator from Ohio and 2024 Republican vice-president candidate JD Vance has a “texting relationship” with Kevin Rudd. Photo: AFP.

And amid a fierce Democratic debate about whether Joe Biden should be dumped as the party’s candidate, Dr Rudd said that from his interactions with the 81-year-old, he believed he was “discharging his responsibilities as President effectively”.

Four months ago, Trump unleashed an extraordinary broadside against Australia’s top US diplomat, saying he was “nasty” and “not the brightest bulb” and adding: “If he’s at all hostile, he will not be there long.”

Trump smiles as he is cheered on by Vance and his sons Donald Trump Jr. and Eric Trump during the first day of the 2024 Republican National Convention. Photo: AFP.

The Republican was responding to Dr Rudd’s criticism of him – before becoming the ambassador – as “nuts”, “the most destructive president in history” and a “traitor to the West”.

While the Australian government defended the former Labor leader and said he would not be replaced if Trump won November’s election, Dr Rudd repeatedly refused to respond.

At the @GOPconvention today catching up with @robertcobrien, President Trump’s former National Security Advisor. Also @michaelgwaltz, Congressman from Florida’s 6th District and Chair of the Armed Services Sub-Committee. And Mike’s wife, Dr Julia Nesheiwat, former Homeland… pic.twitter.com/5yCql8l8Ht

— Kevin Rudd AC (@AmboRudd) July 16, 2024

Speaking in Milwaukee, Dr Rudd said he would not “add to that discussion”, although he pointed out that “a whole range of people over time have had a range of interesting things to say about President Trump, including John Howard, including Tony Abbott”.

Michael Waltz Congressman from Florida’s 6th District and Chair of the Armed Services Sub-Committee, his wife Dr Julia Nesheiwat, former Homeland Security Advisor to the President pose with Rudd at the convention. Photo: X

Instead, he highlighted his relationships with “a vast array of individuals who would be likely to form the nucleus of an incoming Trump administration” including Senator Vance, who he was most recently texting in the aftermath of the assassination attempt against Trump.

“What I’ve been doing is just head down, tail up really since I arrived … in engaging with the likely members of a future Trump administration, way before President Trump was endorsed as the Republican candidate,” Dr Rudd said.

“If the American people decide to elect President Trump and Vice President JD Vance, the Australian government stands ready to work with them openly, constructively, positively, and we’re confident we can do that.”

Michael Waltz, Robert O'Brien Trump’s former National Security Advisor and Australia’s ambassador to the US Kevin Rudd. Photo: X.

Dr Rudd, who was in the crowd when Trump emerged to a hero’s welcome on the opening night of the convention, said he had been meeting with members of his foreign policy and national security team in Milwaukee to discuss their common interests with Australia.

He said Trump’s brush with death was a stark reminder that “democracies are fragile”, as he condemned the “repugnant” violence and praised Republican and Democratic leaders for their “concerted effort to call for calm and to call for national unity.”

Rudd is drawing attention to his connections within the Republican Party. Photo: Noah Willman

“We wish all Americans well as they seek to come together in this trying and testing time as we move towards the next presidential election,” Dr Rudd said.

“What we in Australia hope, and what I’m sure our American counterparts hope and pray for, is that we can conduct the rest of this election campaign in peace and sobriety, and without either violence or the threat of violence from here until election day.”

Trump has been in fine form at the convention. Photo: AFP.

With Trump leading Mr Biden in the polls, the ambassador refused to say who he expected to win November’s election rematch between the bitter rivals.

And while he was complimentary of the President’s efforts during last week’s NATO summit, he said the future of his candidacy was “a matter for the Democratic Party” to decide.

Originally published as Kevin Rudd says new vice president candidate will help him smooth things over with Trump