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Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has leapt to the defence of Australia's ambassador to the US Kevin Rudd after he was publicly humiliated by US President Donald Trump. The highly anticipated first official face-to-face talks between Albanese and Trump at the White House took a dramatic turn after the US President was asked at a press conference whether he had any concerns about previous comments made by Rudd. The Australian ambassador to the US and former prime minister previously labelled Trump as a 'village idiot' and the 'most destructive' president in US history. The question from Sky News political editor Andrew Clennell prompted Trump to look across the table at Rudd and say: 'I don't like you either, and probably never will.' One day on, Albanese paid tribute to Rudd as the pair received a warm reception at a Friends of Australia Caucus gathering in Washington DC on Tuesday. It came despite growing calls back home for Rudd to be sacked. 'If there’s a harder working ambassador on the Hill, then please let me know because Kevin works his guts out and he seems to know everything,' Albanese told the gathering. He later downplayed the awkward exchange as light-hearted 'banter' and not a big deal, as he praised Rudd's involvement in organising the meeting with Trump. 'It wasn't, certainly, a significant moment. Kevin Rudd was with me in the Oval Office afterwards,' Albanese told ABC's News Breakfast on Wednesday morning. 'All's good. Kevin Rudd's doing a fantastic job. 'And the work that he did into this outcome is certainly recognised by me, and recognised by all of his American friends as well.' Albanese confirmed that Rudd apologised to Trump shortly after the fiery exchange. 'He said to Kevin Rudd that all was forgiven,' he said. Albanese was also asked about the growing calls led by Opposition Leader Sussan Ley for Rudd to be sacked over the incident that made global headlines. 'I think they're looking to talk themselves into a story,' he said. 'They had an option of backing the Australian national interest and, of course, they chose to play politics. 'To ignore the critical minerals and rare earths deal. To ignore the constructive relationship that I've built with President Trump over a period of time, through the conversations we've had and the correspondence we've had together. Ignoring all of that. 'I think that they're too busy focused on each other. I'm focused on the Australian national interest.' Albanese later reiterated on Channel Nine's Today show that Rudd is staying put. 'You bet he is. We’ve appointed him for four years and he’s doing a fantastic job,' he added. On Channel Seven's Sunrise, Albanese dodged repeated questions from Nat Barr on what was going through his mind during the awkward exchange between Rudd and Trump. 'It was a successful meeting. I got on very well with Trump,' he said. 'The Australia-US relationship is in good shape.' Rudd joined the Prime Minister at a series of official functions in Washington on Tuesday. This included a US Capitol meeting with House Minority Leader Hakeem Jefferies and congressional leaders from the major parties, where Rudd received a warm reception and was invited to be part of photos. 'It’s good to see you,' Jefferies greeted him, news.com.au reported. Albanese will fly home today.
