Former Australian Prime Minister and current Ambassador to the United States Kevin Rudd has deleted tweets critical of President-elect Donald Trump after he won the presidential election. Rudd, who served as Australia’s 26th prime minister from 2007 to 2010, criticized Trump in a 2020 post, calling him “the most destructive president in history.” These comments were made while Rudd served as Chair of the Asia Society Policy Institute, dedicated to using second track diplomacy to resolve policy challenges within Asia and between Asia and the West. In a statement shared with Fox News Digital, Rudd’s office explained that he removed the tweets out of respect for the office of the President of the United States.
Rudd’s office clarified that the decision to delete the critical tweets was to prevent them from being misconstrued as reflecting his current position as ambassador and the views of the Australian Government. The statement emphasized that Rudd looks forward to working with President Trump and his team to strengthen the US-Australia alliance. Despite deleting the critical tweets, Rudd has since shared several posts congratulating President-elect Trump on social media platform X, claiming to have personally called him to offer his congratulations. In one of his posts, Rudd discussed the importance of the Alliance, the strength of the Australia-US relationship in security, AUKUS, trade, and investment, and expressed his eagerness to work together in the interests of both countries.
The AUKUS agreement, a trilateral union between the United States, Australia, and the United Kingdom established in 2021 to promote security in the Indo-Pacific region, was mentioned in Rudd’s post congratulating President-elect Trump. While Rudd has shown support for working with Trump and his team, his office did not provide further comment on the matter in response to Fox News Digital’s inquiry. The deletion of the critical tweets reflects Rudd’s desire to maintain a positive relationship with the Trump administration as he represents Australia in Washington as its ambassador. By removing the past commentaries critical of Trump, Rudd aims to avoid any confusion regarding his official position and to ensure that his personal views do not conflict with his diplomatic responsibilities.
It is noteworthy that Rudd’s actions signify a shift in his public commentary following Trump’s election victory. As a former prime minister and prominent figure in Australian politics, Rudd’s statements and actions carry weight, particularly in the realm of international relations. The decision to delete the critical tweets and to express support for working with President-elect Trump demonstrates Rudd’s commitment to upholding diplomatic norms and fostering positive relations between Australia and the United States. By reaching out to Trump personally and emphasizing the importance of the bilateral alliance, Rudd seeks to solidify the strategic partnership between the two countries and advance mutual interests in security and trade.
In conclusion, the deletion of the critical tweets by Ambassador Kevin Rudd reflects a nuanced approach to diplomatic engagement and the importance of maintaining cordial relations with foreign leaders, even in the face of past disagreements. Rudd’s decision to remove the tweets critical of President-elect Trump underscores his commitment to representing Australia in a positive light and advancing the interests of the country in its relations with the United States. While political differences may arise, especially in the realm of international affairs, it is essential for diplomats and ambassadors to navigate these challenges diplomatically and focus on areas of mutual cooperation and understanding. Ultimately, Rudd’s actions exemplify a thoughtful and strategic approach to diplomacy, emphasizing the significance of robust alliances and constructive dialogue in promoting global peace and security.
