Trump Confronts ABC Journalist Over Business Deal Inquiries

Thu Sep 18 2025 18:48:46 GMT+0300 (Eastern European Summer Time)

In a heated exchange during his UK visit, Donald Trump clashed with Australian journalist John Lyons, accusing him of harming Australia by questioning his business dealings while in office.

During a recent state visit to the UK, Donald Trump had a tense interaction with Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) journalist John Lyons, who asked about Trump's wealth and business dealings since his return to the White House. Trump branded Lyons' questioning as 'hurting Australia' and stated that he would raise the issue with Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese. The incident has further strained US-Australia relations, especially in light of recent trade disputes. Lyons defended his inquiries as legitimate and non-provocative.

Donald Trump has accused an Australian journalist of hurting Australia after he was asked about his business deals while in office.

John Lyons from the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) asked Trump how much wealthier he had become since returning to the White House in January during Trump's state visit to the UK.

I don't know, Trump replied, claiming that his children handle the businesses. He added that he would tell Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese about Lyons, asserting, you set a very bad tone.

On Thursday, ABC announced that they were informed by the UK prime minister's press office that there was no longer space for them to attend a joint news conference with Trump and Sir Keir Starmer.

In a statement, ABC clarified that they were still accredited to attend the prime minister's country residence, Chequers, where Trump is meeting Sir Keir for talks. However, it noted that they no longer have a spot at the joint press conference due to logistical reasons but stressed there was no indication this was connected to Lyons' questions.

This interaction resulted in an uncomfortable moment, with Trump putting his finger to his lips, signaling for quiet, and walking away when Lyons attempted to ask a follow-up question.

Following the exchange, Trump remarked he would meet with Albanese very soon, referencing his desire to discuss Lyons directly with the Australian leader.

Relations between the US and Australia have taken a hit recently since the Trump administration announced a review of the Aukus submarine deal. Australia was also subjected to a 10% tariff on all exports to the US, which Albanese criticized as not the act of a friend.

Lyons insisted that his questions were legitimate and tactful, noting that they were part of an investigation into Trump's business dealings. After the exchange, a social media post from a White House account described Trump's reaction as him smacking down a rude foreign Fake News loser.