Donald Trump has berated an ABC journalist asking questions about the US president’s personal business dealings, accusing him of “hurting Australia” ahead of crucial talks with prime minister Anthony Albanese.
Trump was answering questions on the White House lawn when he clashed with the ABC’s Americas editor, John Lyons, who said he was reporting for Four Corners.
The exchange also appeared to include Trump’s first confirmation he would meet with Albanese for their first face-to-face talks, coming as part of a visit to the UN general assembly next week.
Lyons asked Trump how much wealthier he had become since returning to the Oval Office for his second term in January, noting he was regarded as the wealthiest man ever to occupy the White House.
“I don’t know,” Trump said, explaining his children were responsible for the family business, the Trump Organisation.
“But most of the deals that I’ve made were made before,” he said. “This is what I’ve done for a life. I’ve built buildings.”
He pointed to the site of a planned grand ballroom planned for the White House.
Lyons then asked whether it was appropriate for US president to be conducting personal business while in office.
“I’m really not, my kids are running the business,” Trump said before asking Lyons where he was from.
Trump then accused Lyons of “hurting Australia” with the line of questioning.
“In my opinion, you are hurting Australia very much right now. And they want to get along with me.
“You know, your leader is coming over to see me very soon. I’m going to tell him about you. You said a very bad tone.
“You can set a nicer tone,” Trump said, before telling Lyons: “Quiet.”
Albanese has been seeking a meeting with Trump since the pair’s first talks were abruptly cancelled at the G20 summit in Canada in June. His schedule for the upcoming visit to New York is yet to be confirmed but Australian officials are trying to lock in a time.
This week Albanese said he would see Trump at the meeting of world leaders in New York, as well at upcoming international summits.
“We’ll see each other in New York,” the prime minister said.
“He is hosting a reception on Tuesday night of next week. As well, we’ll see each other at various forums that are taking place between now and the end of the year. It’s summit season.”
The meeting is expected to covering a number of urgent issues in the bilateral relationship, including the Pentagon’s review of the Aukus nuclear submarines agreement and Trump’s demands that Australia spend more on defence.
Trump and senior US officials have privately urged Australia to commit to spending as much as 3.5% of GDP on defence, a potential $30bn annual increase to the current defence spend of about $59bn.
The Aukus review – which is being led by the undersecretary of defence and Aukus sceptic Elbridge Colby – is due to be completed around November. Australia has already sent about $1.6bn to the US as part of the agreement.
