Albanese clashes with reporter over Trump joke in New York, sets stage for October Trump meeting

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese clashed with a reporter in New York over remarks he had made earlier about Donald Trump, telling Latika Bourke of The Nightly, “don’t verbal me,” after she pressed him on whether he had the former president’s personal number. In April, Albanese said he did not have Trump’s mobile number, arguing that the way leaders communicate is formal and organized through note-takers in rooms where mobile devices are not allowed.

Bourke drew a contrast between Albanese’s earlier remarks and a report that French President Emmanuel Macron had direct contact with Trump during a traffic jam, prompting questions about who could reach the U.S. president. Albanese acknowledged the distinction, insisting that between national leaders, calls are arranged through proper channels and that note-takers operate in controlled settings. “There’s people taking notes from either side, it’s not a casual relationship,” he said, adding, “I don’t have Donald Trump’s number.” He later characterized the exchange as a joke or humor if taken as a comment. “The point I was making was that between leaders of nations, you organise phone calls, you have note-takers, and you do it in rooms where mobiles aren’t allowed. That’s the point.”

The two leaders then met in person at a UN General Assembly welcome reception hosted by Trump and First Lady Melania Trump at the Lotte New York Palace Hotel on Tuesday night. The reception, attended by more than 100 world leaders, marked the first time Albanese had met Trump since the U.S. president was re-elected last year. Albanese also confirmed a formal bilateral meeting with Trump would take place on October 20 on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York. He said the discussions in Washington, D.C., could be substantial and potentially include an Oval Office audience.

As Albanese prepared for a second stand-alone visit to the United States within a month, officials signaled the talks would cover security and trade issues, including the AUKUS nuclear submarine deal and U.S. tariffs currently in place. The Australian prime minister stressed the long-standing alliance between Canberra and Washington and described the upcoming meeting as highly productive.

The UN General Assembly schedule has been crowded with a mix of diplomacy and diplomacy-linked distractions. Trump delivered an address at the assembly that drew international attention, while other leaders pressed the U.S. on various geopolitical issues. Trump did not meet Albanese during the broader assembly window, instead meeting leaders from Ukraine, France, the European Union and others. Some analysts suggested a broader context for the near-term snub, including Australia’s recent recognition of a Palestinian state, as well as shifting U.S. priorities and scheduling.

Australian ambassador to the United States, Kevin Rudd, had earlier told attendees at an Albanese speech in New York that the October meeting with Trump was locked in and that Australia looked forward to productive talks. Rudd’s remarks complemented Albanese’s assertion that a concrete date was set, reinforcing the government’s effort to maintain momentum in the bilateral relationship.

The plan to hold a meeting at the G7 Leaders Summit in Canada in June was scrapped when the U.S. president departed to manage a developing Iran-related crisis, according to Albanese officials. The postponement underscored the volatile rhythm of high-level scheduling in a busy diplomatic year.

In New York, Albanese’s exchange with Bourke underscored the broader tension between insisting on formal processes and answering persistent questions about access to Trump. While the October 20 meeting remains on the calendar, officials cautioned that schedules can shift, and that the substance of the discussions would hinge on ongoing bilateral priorities, including defense, technology cooperation, and trade relations between the United States and Australia.