Malcolm Turnbull has been heavily criticised for refusing to denounce Donald Trump’s #MuslimBan this week, but it turns out they may not be as chummy as that move might suggest.
Political sources have revealed to The Washington Post that a recent phone call between the two world leaders was anything but diplomatic, with Trump laying into the PM over a refugee deal between Australia and then-US president, Barack Obama.
Trump is said to have raged that the deal – which involves a commitment for the US to take 1,250 refugees from Nauru – was “the worst deal ever.”
During the conversation, Trump reportedly informed Turnbull that he had spoken with four other world leaders that day and that “This was the worst call by far.”
It is also claimed that he told Turnbull this would mean he’s “going to get killed” politically and that Australia were seeking to export the “next Boston bomber.”
Labelling refugees fleeing war-torn countries as terrorists is not only offensive and insensitive, it’s also factually incorrect.
As per the viral image that was shared the world over this week following Trump’s controversial order banning refugees from entering the US, Americans are over 5,000 times more likely to be shot by another American than an immigrant terrorist.
The Washington Post states: “It should have been one of the most congenial calls for the new commander in chief — a conversation with the leader of Australia, one of America’s staunchest allies, at the end of a triumphant week.”
“A senior administration official acknowledged that the conversation with Turnbull had been hostile and charged.”
Turnbull refused to comment on the reports of a fiery phone call with Trump:
“It’s better that these things — these conversations — are conducted candidly, frankly, privately,” Turnbull told reporters.
