US President Donald Trump has hit out at the ABC’s Americas editor John Lyons following questions over his business dealings while in office.
Lyons asked the President whether it was appropriate that “a president in office should be engaged in so much business activity?”
Trump replied that he wasn’t engaged in business activity after proudly telling reporters he was spending US$250 million on a new ballroom for the White House.
“My kids are running the business,” continued Trump.
“You know what the activity — where are you from?”
When Lyons told Trump he was from the Australian Broadcasting Corporation, Trump replied: “Oh, the Australian — you’re hurting Australia.
“In my opinion, you are hurting Australia very much right now, and they want to get along with me.
“You know, your leader is coming over to see me very soon. I’m going to tell him about you. You set a very bad tone.”
When Lyons tried to ask Trump a follow-up question, the President replied: “quiet”.
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese is due to travel to New York for the UN General Assembly next week and ha said he hopes to meet Trump. The pair have not met since their respective election wins.
The Trump administration labelled Lyons a “foreign fake news loser” in a social media post alongside a Fox News clip from the press conference.
If Trump remembers the spat with Lyons and does care enough to tell Albanese, it could add to a list of grievances the President has with Australia—including the looming child social media ban.
ABC News director Justin Stevens said Lyons had the broadcaster’s full support.
“John Lyons is a highly awarded journalist and one of the most experienced and respected reporters in Australia,” Mr Stevens said.
“His job is to ask questions.”
