Rudd to stay in US after Trump threatened to boot him as ambassador

Foreign Minister Penny Wong has backed Kevin Rudd as Australia's ambassador to the US, after former president and Republican frontrunner Donald Trump threatened to have him booted from the role if he is re-elected. 

In an interview on GB News with former UK far-right politician Nigel Farage, Trump was quizzed on potentially working in Washington with Rudd, who previously called him a "destructive president" and "a traitor to the West".

The former president responded with a heated spray, suggesting Rudd "won't be there long" if he wins this year's presidential race.

"I don't know much about him. I heard he was a little bit nasty. I hear he's not the brightest bulb. But, I don't know much about him," Trump said.

"But if he's at all hostile, he will not be there long."

In light of the comments, the foreign minister was asked whether the Albanese government would keep Rudd on as ambassador if Trump returned to the White House.

"The answer is yes," Wong said.

"Rudd is a very effective ambassador. He's recognised as doing across this parliament, as doing an excellent job in advancing Australia's interests in the United States."

Wong said Rudd has been working with members of Congress on both sides of politics and drew on his experience as former Australian prime minister and foreign minister.

"He will be able to work closely with whoever is elected by the American people as the United States president," she added.

The situation in Washington could, however, get awkward if Trump beats Biden at the voting booths later this year given some of Rudd's historical hot takes on the controversial leader. 

Rudd declared "Donald Trump is a traitor to the West" in a 2022 Facebook post and "the most destructive president in history" in an X post two years earlier.

He also claimed he "drags America and democracy through the mud" and "thrives on fomenting, not healing, division. He abuses Christianity, church and bible to justify violence".

In an 2020 op-ed where he attacked Trump's handling of the coronavirus pandemic, Rudd described the former US president as a "quack apothecary" for making sensational claims that injecting disinfectant or using powerful lights might treat COVID-19.

Trump later walked back those comments, saying he was being sarcastic.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said Rudd would be "an outstanding appointment", when he confirmed the former Labor leader had been selected as ambassador to the US.

"He brings a great deal of credit to Australia by agreeing to take up this position as a former prime minister," Albanese said.