ABC journalist at the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) has become the center of attention after being criticized by U.S. President Donald Trump for his coverage. The reporter stated that the Australian Prime Minister’s office denied him the opportunity to cover the meeting between Trump and the Prime Minister at the White House.
John Lyons, the resident U.S. journalist and editor at the Australian Broadcasting Corporation, announced on Tuesday (October 21) that he would not be able to attend the official meeting between Trump and Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese.
Lyons told ABC Radio, “We have tried. We have made multiple requests to the Prime Minister’s office, but all have been rejected.”
“They didn’t want to say much, the reasons given were vague, and the whole process was verbal,” Lyons said. “So, I have no idea why I was not allowed to attend the meeting today.” He mentioned that the television station never received any written documentation.
Despite Lyons himself not being able to attend the event, ABC still sent a delegate to the meeting, as reported by Dajiyuan Times.
In September of this year, during an interview with Trump outside the White House, Lyons repeatedly asked the President about his wealth and the growth of his wealth since taking office. Trump informed Lyons that his business was mainly managed by his children, but Lyons continued to press on with the same questions.
Following this, Trump asked Lyons where he was from and upon learning he was a reporter from the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC), he issued a warning. Trump said to Lyons, “Oh, good… you’re hurting Australia.”
Trump stated, “In my opinion, you are now hurting Australia. And they want to get along with me.” “You know, your leader is coming to see me very soon. I will mention you to him. Your attitude is not good.”
Subsequently, ABC lost the seat to attend the summit between Trump and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer at Chequers, but an ABC spokesperson informed Dajiyuan Times that the absence was due to “logistical reasons” and showed no signs of being related to the clash between Lyons and Trump.
The recent meeting between Trump and Albanese is closely watched, marking the first encounter between the two leaders since the reelection of the U.S. President. During the meeting, they signed a rare earth agreement where both countries will jointly invest 13 billion Australian dollars (approximately 8.5 billion U.S. dollars) in key mineral projects within the next six months.
Dajiyuan Times has reached out to the Australian Prime Minister’s office for a response.
Lyons is not the only Australian media journalist criticized by Trump.
Michael Koziol, North America correspondent for The Sydney Morning Herald, was also labeled as a “hateful person” by President Trump. This brief comment came after Trump questioned Koziol about his identity and media affiliation.
While Trump criticized some aspects of the journalists’ questioning, he still answered questions about comparing Albanese to other Australian leaders.
Trump said, “I mean, that wouldn’t be fair because, you know, the one on my right has a big advantage, you know that, right?” “But I think he (Albanese) is doing very well, and our relationship is very good.”
Trump also commented on Latika Bourke, a reporter affiliated with The Nightly and The Sydney Morning Herald. Bourke inquired why the U.S. leader did not provide enough weapons to Ukraine to end the Russia-Ukraine conflict.
Trump stated that he believed Bourke did not understand the situation.
Trump said, “It’s a little more complicated than it sounds, seemingly simple, but we are in the process of trying to make a deal.”