ABC News Daily Why Kevin Rudd quit as our man in Trump’s America
Jan 13, 2026
Mark Kenny, Director of the ANU Australian Studies Institute, and Arthur Sinodinos, former Australian ambassador to the US, dive into Kevin Rudd's abrupt early exit as ambassador. They dissect Rudd's past criticisms of Trump and how those may have impacted diplomatic relations. Sinodinos highlights Rudd’s achievements like AUKUS and navigating complex ambassadorial relationships, while Kenny argues that Rudd's tenure was successful despite tensions. Both guests share insights on adapting to different US administrations and Rudd's future role in US–China relations.
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Big Strategic Wins Despite Friction
- Kevin Rudd secured major strategic wins including AUKUS support and a $3bn critical minerals deal.
- Those outcomes show strong bilateral cooperation despite political friction with the US president.
Deleted Tweets Spark White House Awkwardness
- Kevin Rudd was forced to delete historical tweets calling Donald Trump a "village idiot" and a "traitor to the West."
- That led to an awkward White House interaction where Rudd apologised during a meeting between Prime Minister Albanese and President Trump.
Past Criticism Didn’t Break The Relationship
- Mark Kenny argued Rudd's prior criticism of Trump did not materially damage Australia–US ties.
- He pointed out the relationship actually strengthened through achievements like lower tariffs and AUKUS progress.
