US President Donald Trump on Monday publicly expressed his disapproval of Australia’s ambassador to the United States, Kevin Rudd, during a meeting with Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese at the White House.

The otherwise cordial discussion, which included confirmation of a submarine deal between the two allies, took an awkward turn when Trump was asked about Rudd`s past criticism of him. Responding to the question, Trump said, “Maybe he’ll like to apologize,” before turning to Albanese and asking, “Where is he? Is he still working for you?”

Albanese smiled uncomfortably and gestured to Rudd, who was seated directly across the table. Attempting to clarify, Rudd said, “That was before I took this position, Mr. President,” but Trump interrupted him, saying, “I don’t like you either. I don’t. And I probably never will.”

The comment prompted laughter from some officials in the room, and the meeting quickly moved on as another reporter changed the subject.

Later, Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong dismissed Trump’s remarks as “clearly tongue-in-cheek,” telling Australia’s Nine Network, “We heard the laughter. We know that we had a very successful meeting and full credit to Kevin.”

Rudd, a former Labor prime minister and experienced diplomat, had previously made strong criticisms of Trump on social media, calling him the “most destructive president in history” and a “traitor to the West” following the Capitol riot in 2021. Those posts were later deleted after Trump returned to office.

Appointed ambassador under President Joe Biden, Rudd was seen as a strategic choice due to his foreign policy background and fluency in Mandarin, amid growing concerns about China’s regional influence.

Trump had previously labeled Rudd “nasty” during an interview with British politician Nigel Farage, predicting he wouldn’t last long in the ambassadorial role.