Donald Trump likens Scott Morrison’s election victory to his 2016 presidential win
READ MORE AT ABC NEWS
US President Donald Trump has likened Scott Morrison’s shock election win to his own presidential victory and the United Kingdom’s Brexit vote.
Key points:
- Donald Trump says Scott Morrison’s victory was similar to his own presidential win in 2016
- Mr Trump publicly praises Mr Morrison in Twitter, congratulating him on a “GREAT WIN!”
- The two leaders speak at length about security challenges around the world
The ABC can reveal that when Mr Trump spoke with the newly elected Prime Minister on Sunday, he observed how people “seem surprised” by the result.
Mr Trump said it was similar to the way people had been surprised by his victory in the 2016 presidential race against Hillary Clinton, and the Brexit vote earlier that year.
The President congratulated Mr Morrison on the May 18 result, and publicly praised the re-elected leader on Twitter.
“Congratulations to Scott on a GREAT WIN!”, Mr Trump wrote.
Donald J. Trump
✔@realDonaldTrump
Congratulations to Scott on a GREAT WIN!
news.com.au
✔@newscomauHQ
#BREAKING: Scott Morrison has swept to victory in a sensational federal election result that defied the polls and cements the Coalition’s power. http://bit.ly/2Hy1JZ5 #Auspol #Ausvotes
The ABC confirmed the President and Mr Morrison spoke at length about security challenges around the world, especially Iran.
Mr Trump warned Tehran to “never threaten the United States again” as concerns over a potential US-Iran conflict escalate.
The US military is sending B-52 bombers to the Middle East to counter what the Trump administration says are “clear indications” of threats from Iran to US forces there.
Shortly after the leaders spoke, the White House issued a formal read-out of their conversation.
“The two leaders reaffirmed the critical importance of the long-standing alliance and friendship between the United States and Australia, and they pledged to continue their close cooperation on shared priorities,” Deputy Press Secretary Judd Deere said in a statement.
Mr Morrison first met the US President on the sidelines of December’s G20 Summit in Buenos Aires, shortly after taking over from former prime minister Malcolm Turnbull.
Mr Trump infamously clashed with Mr Turnbull during a heated 2017 phone call where they discussed a refugee swap deal that had been negotiated with the Obama administration.
