Kevin Rudd is desperate to hang on to his post as Australia’s ambassador in Washington and it’s unedifying to watch what he’s doing to placate America’s new king — the very same reprobate he denounced just four years ago.
In 2020, citizen Rudd let it all hang out on Twitter. He condemned Donald Trump as “the most destructive president in history”. Trump “drags America and democracy through the mud … He abuses Christianity and the Bible to justify violence. All aided and abetted by Murdoch’s FoxNews network.”
As eviscerations go it was pretty complete. They were principled words from Rudd reflecting his conviction that democracy was under threat from the combined assault of the Trump-Murdoch forces. But after Trump’s election win two days ago the ground suddenly shifted. The new king, it is said, only likes those who flatter him — so what’s this you’ve written?
Rudd could stand by his convictions and resign if needs be. But he has always fancied himself as an international player — remember his manoeuvring to become UN secretary-general? — and Washington is the jewel in the crown of diplomatic posts. Just look at what it’s done for Joe Hockey. Facing his moment of truth, Rudd has chosen to disavow his past convictions. He has scrubbed the incriminating tweet from the public record. As Groucho Marx said: “Those are my principles and if you don’t like them then I have others.”
Some like it hot
The rise of Trump has been a form of character test for politicians who have occupied high office in the world’s democracies. Earlier this week the leading UK conservative William Hague described Trump as “positively dangerous”. Another leading Tory, Rory Stewart, said the same. In the US Republicans such as Liz Cheney have forfeited their careers to stand by their conviction that Trump is an existential threat to the republic. They have all elected to face the consequences. Rudd? Not so much. (On his personal website Rudd said he deleted his comments out of respect for the office of president of the United States.)
But Rudd may not be out of the woods. The Murdochs have not forgotten his campaign for a royal commission into News Corp. At the same time Murdoch favourite Scott Morrison is circling. Morrison has been shamelessly hawking himself as the Trump whisperer who alone can guarantee Australian access to the White House to keep the alliance and AUKUS on track.
It is an ugly game that is unfolding in Washington. And it might be replicated in Canberra with the Murdochs backing Trump man Peter Dutton over Anthony Albanese, who maybe got on a little too well with old Joe Biden. The Trump effect is only just beginning.
You can catch up on our coverage of the US election and other stories this week by clicking the links below.
Trump puts the dick in dictatorship
The convicted felon ran a hypermasculine campaign with grievance at its heart. It delivered for the tech bros. And it heralds the fall of a once great democracy.
Trump gets off Scott free in a race to the bottom
As the former prime minister and Australia’s elite suck up to a convicted criminal, our nation shudders with shame.
Poll position: get the inside track
With 48 hours to election day, polls still show Trump and Harris deadlocked. But US polling can be confusing, conflicted and sometimes fantastical. Here’s why.
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