Here’s a concise briefing based on recent coverage:

• What happened: During a White House meeting with Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, Kevin Rudd, who serves as Australia’s ambassador to the United States, was publicly addressed by President Donald Trump with a sharp joke that included the line, “I don’t like you, and I probably never will.” The moment drew laughter from attendees and generated widespread attention in the media. This exchange occurred in the context of ongoing discussions about Rudd’s role and performance as ambassador.

• Reactions and context:
  • Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese publicly defended Rudd, describing him as doing a fantastic job and downplaying any call for his removal. Albanese characterized Trump’s remark as banter and not a substantive rebuke of Rudd’s performance.

* Some Australian opposition voices and commentators referenced the incident as a test of diplomatic optics, with discussions about Rudd’s longevity in the post and the importance of the Australia–US relationship, including on strategic issues like Aukus.

• Notable follow-ups:
  • Australian media and political figures echoed that Rudd’s ambassadorship has remained under a generally positive assessment from various U.S. and Australian stakeholders, and there was emphasis on Rudd’s engagement with U.S. lawmakers and his role in fostering ties between the two nations.

* Several outlets reported that the episode was largely treated as a lighthearted moment in a high-stakes diplomatic visit, rather than a serious public chal lenge to Rudd’s position.

If you’d like, I can pull direct quotes or summarize additional viewpoints from other outlets to give a broader picture of the reaction across Australian and international media.