‘I am going to tell Albanese about you’: Trump shuns Australian reporter over question on his business deals

US President Donald Trump engaged in a war of words with an Australian journalist after he was asked about the status of his business deals while in office.

John Lyons from the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) asked Potus how much wealthier he had become after becoming the president of the United States for the second time.

An irked Trump said, “I don’t know,” adding that his children handle the family businesses. “In my opinion, you are hurting Australia very much right now, and they want to get along with me,” the president asserted.

In the same line of sentence, Trump told Lyons that he is going to meet Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese soon and said that he is “going to tell him about you. You set a very bad tone,” referring to the journalist.

As Lyons began to ask a follow-up question, Trump put his finger to his lips, told him to “quiet,” and walked off to engage with another reporter.

‘You’re hurting Australia’: Donald Trump criticises ABC journalist John Lyons in White House clash pic.twitter.com/rlR4glUEVF

— Ben Knight (@benknight38) September 16, 2025

For months, Albanese has been trying to secure a meeting with the US president, after their planned talks were abruptly cancelled when Trump left the G20 summit early in June to address the escalating conflict in West Asia.

Speaking to ABC Radio on Monday, ahead of his trip to the US for the UN General Assembly next week, Albanese said he and Trump would “see each other in New York.”

“He’s hosting a reception on Tuesday night of next week. And as well, we’ll see each other at various forums that are taking place between now and the end of the year,” he said.