Malcolm Turnbull has refused to back down after being publicly humiliated by Donald Trump, insisting world leaders must stop acting like a "conga line of sycophants" when dealing with the former U.S. president.

Turnbull escalated the war of words during an interview with the ABC, responding to Trump’s attack after the former Australian prime minister accused him of playing into the hands of China’s Xi Jinping.

Trump hit back on Truth Social, calling Turnbull a “weak and ineffective leader” who “never understood what was going on in China.” But rather than retreating, Turnbull doubled down, warning that failing to stand up to Trump would only encourage "more bullying."

Put your hand up if you agree with Trump’s assessment of Malcolm Turnbull 🙋‍♂️🙋‍♂️ pic.twitter.com/BtzPxBEv7E

— Avi Yemini (@OzraeliAvi) March 11, 2025

Malcom Turnbull was a disgrace and still is a disgrace. The left say he was the best Liberal PM, that’s because he was always a lefty. Trump is 💯 right.

Turnbull is a weak man and ineffective leader. pic.twitter.com/gYEPgwafiO

— katy 🌸 (@KatyKray73) March 10, 2025

“The impact Trump is having on the world, on the Western alliance, on markets, on our economies. I mean, these are matters that we have to talk about,” Turnbull said on the ABC’s 7.30 program.

“We cannot continue this bipartisan gaslighting that is going on at the moment where there are these massive changes in Washington affecting us and the whole world.”

Slamming Trump’s treatment of allies, Turnbull pointed to Canada as an example of how the former US president had tried to “basically cripple Canada’s economy in order to bully them into becoming the 51st state.”

Thank you President Trump for saying what the majority of Australians think about Turnbull!
Now do the loser on the left!
Equally two of the worst Prime Ministers Australia has ever had! pic.twitter.com/XvETJ94Q6C

— Sara Victoria 🇦🇺🇦🇺🇦🇺🥂 (@SaraVic333) March 10, 2025

Turnbull, who served as Australian prime minister from 2015 to 2018, said Trump’s actions had weakened the Western alliance to the benefit of China.

“The reality is that Xi Jinping, China, will take advantage of Trump's chaotic behaviour and his harassing and bullying, seeking to extort allies, the way he has damaged the Western alliance,” he said.

Calling Trump “erratic” and “rude and abusive,” Turnbull warned that China would exploit the situation by being “the opposite of Trump.”

“I do not believe you should give in to bullies,” Turnbull added. “And I have dealt with Trump in the past… I stood up to Trump and got him to do things he didn't want to do because I wasn't being bullied by him.”

Trump says the obvious about Malcolm Turnbull, who really was a dud Prime Minister, he just couldn't say it at the time.😉 #DudMal #auspol pic.twitter.com/MG0aInmQ6J

— Timjbo 🇦🇺 (@Tim_jbo) March 10, 2025

As Australia tries to secure an exemption from Trump’s latest tariffs on steel and aluminium, Turnbull said he doubted it would succeed, claiming Trump regretted giving Australia an exemption in 2018.

“I think the situation has changed,” he said. “I think the Americans — Trump in particular — regrets giving us an exemption.”

Please donate to support our independent journalism in Australia

Unlike almost all of our mainstream media competitors, Rebel News Australia doesn't receive any government funding. We rely on our generous audience to keep us reporting.

Optional email code

Canadian Dollars U.S. Dollars Australian Dollars British Pounds

Amount

$25

$50

$75

$100

$250

$500

$1,000

$2,500

Other

$

One-time

Monthly

DONATE