Overview
- Asked in Washington on Friday night whether ties with Australia's envoy were repaired, President Trump replied, "When they say bad about me, I don't forget."
- Prime Minister Anthony Albanese rejected suggestions Kevin Rudd should be replaced, calling the flap "trivia," praising his work, and rebuking what he termed "fake media" questions.
- At the White House earlier in the week, Trump told Rudd, "I don't like you either... and I probably never will," with Albanese later saying an off‑camera apology prompted "all is forgiven," a version now clouded by Trump's latest comments.
- Trump noted the U.S. ambassador post in Canberra remains vacant and said he has "one or two" candidates in mind, promising to choose someone Albanese will "like."
- The visit still yielded a multi‑billion‑dollar critical minerals deal and a renewed AUKUS endorsement, as opposition calls to sack Rudd softened over subsequent days.