Malcolm Turnbull slammed for ‘pandering’ to President-elect Donald Trump

As recently as a few days ago, Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull wouldn’t have dreamt of speaking about a conversation with Donald Trump in such positive terms.

He would have been crucified by his questioners for being so gracious to the man who had publicly slighted women, Muslims, and countless other groups and individuals. The PM wouldn’t have risked his already teetering popularity.

But now that the man even so many in his own party disowned has been voted to the most powerful position in the world, it seems everyone’s keen to get on with him.

Mr Turnbull relayed his “very warm” call of congratulations with Mr Trump, and their mutual enthusiasm for an early meeting to reporters in Canberra.

“I have had, earlier this morning, a very warm and constructive and practical discussion with President-elect Trump,” he said.

“We canvassed a number of issues. Most importantly, we absolutely agreed on the vital importance of our strong alliance.”

Mr Turnbull said his and Mr Trump’s conversation “couldn’t have been warmer” and they each expressed their eagerness to meet.

He even went so far as to compare himself to the next president.

“I suppose as both being businessmen who found our way into politics, somewhat later in life, we come to the problems of our own nations and indeed world problems with a pragmatic approach,” Mr Turnbull said.

“Mr Trump is a deal maker. He is a businessman, a deal maker and he will, I have no doubt, view the world in a very practical and pragmatic way.”

But for many viewing the cringe-worthy conference, Mr Turnbull’s attempt at diplomacy came across as pandering to the controversial leader, and he’s copping it for it.

Broadcasting from Sky News’s studio, baffled host Peter van Onselen ripped into the Prime Minister over his comments.

“I just find the political class, one and all, who are backing away from their understandably strong words of criticism about Donald Trump, his character, the person he is, now that he is president they walk away from that,” he said.

“I find it incredibly pathetic ... why world leaders feel the need, almost one and all, not quite all, to turn around and pander to him, rather than stand by their principles ... just leaves me baffled.

“Donald Trump wins an election, and suddenly all is forgiven. I don’t get it.”

The broadcaster predicted the President-elect would not be able to deliver on his promises to voters, and did not deserve to be praised for having conned Middle America.

Van Onselen went on to suggest Mr Turnbull “take a leaf out of Bill Shorten’s book and show some leadership and continue to stand up to a deplorable, deplorable man”.

Labor leader Bill Shorten, who has previously called Mr Trump “barking mad” and “entirely unsuitable to be the leader of the free world”, last night refused to back down from those comments after learning Mr Trump had won the election.

During the same press conference, environment minister Josh Frydenberg backed away from his earlier labelling of Mr Trump as a “drop kick”.

“In the lead-up to the vote, I think the Prime Minister and Foreign Minister hit the right note. I concede I probably should have followed their lead,” he said.

Foreign Minister Julie Bishop has also sought a silver lining in Mr Trump’s impending presidency, this morning saying she was keen to discuss the new leaders “new ideas” around tackling the situation in Syria.

Reporting from Washington, Sky’s political editor David Speers said the Republicans who had previously disowned Mr Trump had largely laid down arms, proving it wasn’t just Australian politicians who had decided to pander to the next president.

“On the Republican side, everyone here is, at least in public, smiling, talking about the great moment they have,” he said.

“They’ve got the house, they’ve got the senate, they’ve got the opportunity here to do some things, but we know they are deeply divided over what they want to do.”

Speaking during Question Time on Thursday afternoon, Mr Turnbull added: “This morning, I spoke with President-elect Donald Trump and offered the Australian Government’s congratulations on his election victory.

“Mr Trump spoke warmly and admiringly of Australia and re-affirmed that the Australia-American alliance is one of enormous importance to the United States and would always remain so. “

Originally published as ‘I find it incredibly pathetic’