SYDNEY (AFP) – Former Australian prime minister Malcolm Turnbull drew chuckles yesterday as he impersonated Donald Trump, urging the nation’s political leaders contesting a general election next month to “stand up” to the United States (US) president.
Turnbull, who was Australian prime minister when Trump first took office in 2017, briefly adopted a nasal American accent as he mimicked the US commander-in-chief during a speech. Political hopefuls contesting Australia’s May 3 general election should not be scared of angering Trump, Turnbull said.
“That’s the challenge for our leaders – they’ve got to be able to stand up,” he began.
“If that means they get a brickbat or a Truth Social post saying ‘You’re weak and ineffectual. You don’t know anything about China’,” Turnbull added, aping Trump’s characteristic cadence.
“If you’re spooked by that you shouldn’t be in the job,” Turnbull finished while drawing laughs from the crowd.
