When veteran Australian journalist John Lyons stepped onto the White House lawn last Monday with perfectly reasonable questions about a sitting president's business dealings, he probably didn't expect to become the target of an extraordinary presidential tantrum that would reverberate across two continents.
The ABC Americas editor found himself accused by Donald Trump of 'hurting Australia' during a heated exchange that saw the US President threaten to 'tell on' Lyons to Prime Minister Anthony Albanese.
What followed was even more concerning—the White House officially labelled the respected journalist a 'foreign fake news loser' on social media.
The incident has sparked serious questions about diplomatic protocol, press freedom, and what it means for one of America's closest allies when their journalists dare to ask uncomfortable questions.
The journalist behind the questions
John Lyons isn't some rookie reporter looking to make a name for himself—he's a 64-year-old journalism veteran who currently serves as the ABC's Americas Editor and has won four Walkley awards.
In 2024, he won Journalist of the Year at the Kennedy Awards for his Middle East reporting, and he's authored several books including recent works on Ukraine and Jerusalem.
Lyons was at the White House as part of an upcoming Four Corners investigation into Trump's business dealings, including his extensive cryptocurrency connections. It's exactly the kind of serious investigative journalism Australian audiences expect from their national broadcaster.
The questions Lyons asked were hardly aggressive. 'Is it appropriate, President Trump, that a president in office should be engaged in so much business activity?' he inquired, referencing reports that Trump and his family have made billions since his return to power.
What triggered Trump's outburst
The exchange unfolded as Trump took questions on the White House lawn before departing for a state visit to the United Kingdom. When Lyons pressed him on business interests, Trump replied he was 'really not' engaged because 'my kids are running the business.'
When Trump learned Lyons was Australian, the conversation took a bizarre turn. 'In my opinion, you are hurting Australia very much right now, and they want to get along with me. You know, your leader is coming over to see me very soon. I'm going to tell him about you. You set a very bad tone', Trump declared before telling the journalist to be 'quiet'.
'You are hurting Australia very much right now, and they want to get along with me'
Speaking to Radio National Breakfast the following day, Lyons said Trump was in a 'pretty feisty mood' and joked he would have to 'brace himself' for when the US president 'tells on me' to Prime Minister Albanese.
The cryptocurrency investigation
What Lyons was investigating should concern every Australian taxpayer who cares about conflicts of interest and international relations. Trump's net worth has skyrocketed to $7.3 billion, up from $4.3 billion in 2024, with cryptocurrency being his primary vehicle for enrichment. In office, Trump has rolled back crypto regulations and signed favorable legislation, while his memecoins unlock daily, freeing tens of millions per week.
Trump's crypto empire raises serious questions
- Net worth increased by $3 billion since taking office
- His memecoins unlock tens of millions weekly
- Justice Department disbanded crypto fraud investigation team
- Major investors include figures previously accused of fraud
Perhaps most concerning, Chinese billionaire Justin Sun, who faces SEC fraud allegations, invested $30 million in Trump's World Liberty Financial, triggering provisions that allow Trump-affiliated entities to receive 75 per cent of the company's net revenue. Bloomberg analysis found that 19 of the top 25 holders of Trump's memecoin are likely foreign nationals, with Sun confirming he held the top spot with more than $18 million worth.
Political defence of journalism
Australian politicians were quick to defend Lyons and the principle of press freedom. Home Affairs Minister Clare O'Neil told Sunrise it's a journalist's job to 'keep politicians accountable' and that journalists are 'entitled to ask difficult questions'.
After the clash, Lyons called it an 'absurd notion' that asking legitimate questions politely would hurt relations between long-time allies, telling the ABC his enquiries were 'fair, based on research and not asked in an abusive way'.
John Lyons' credentials
ABC Americas Editor with four Walkley awards
2024 Kennedy Awards Journalist of the Year
Author of books on Ukraine, Jerusalem, and Middle East affairs
Former Sydney Morning Herald editor
Decades of experience in international reporting
Broader diplomatic implications
This incident comes at a delicate time for Australia-US relations. Australia has been hit with a 10 per cent tariff as part of Trump's 'reciprocal' duties, despite being one of America's closest allies. There's also a Pentagon review into whether the AUKUS submarine deal aligns with Trump's America First agenda, while steel and aluminium tariffs have doubled to 50 per cent.
Albanese and Trump have not yet met since their re-elections; a meeting looks likely next week in New York on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly. Trump has previously praised Albanese as a 'good man' after their phone calls, which the Prime Minister described as 'really warm'. A face-to-face had been pencilled in at the G7 summit in Canada in June, but it was cancelled when Trump returned to the US early amid the Iran–Israel crisis.
The bigger picture on press freedom
Lyons noted the exchange revealed much about Trump's relationship with media, saying 'He's sort of at war at the moment with large parts of the media, that plays very well with his MAGA base'.
This wasn't an isolated incident. During the same press conference, Trump got into another heated exchange with ABC News reporter Jonathan Karl, warning that his administration's crackdown on 'hate speech' could target journalists, telling Karl: 'We'll probably go after people like you because you treat me so unfairly'.
For Australian seniors who lived through eras when press freedom was more universally respected by democratic leaders, this represents a concerning shift in international norms.
What this means for Australia
The incident highlights the complex balancing act Australia faces with an unpredictable American ally. There are probably doubts in the PM's office about being too cosy with Trump, given his unpopularity with Australians and his 'junkyard dog propensity to wag his tail one moment and bite savagely the next'.
The Trump administration is now openly calling on Indo-Pacific allies to match NATO spending increases of 3.5 per cent on defence, with Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth stating 'we can't want their security more than they do.' Albanese has dismissed this US position, which could further complicate relations.
The awkward reality is that Australia needs America more than America needs Australia, particularly for defence cooperation. Yet scenes of an Australian journalist being publicly dressed down by a US president don't play well with voters back home who expect their leaders to stand up for Australian interests and values.
What did you make of Trump's extraordinary outburst at our respected journalist? Do you think this kind of behaviour damages the important relationship between Australia and America, or is it just Trump being Trump? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
Original Article
https://7news.com.au/news/donald-tr...-in-heated-exchange-at-white-house-c-20044535
Trump was in a 'pretty feisty mood', ABC journalist says, after tense exchange | SBS News
Cited text: During a tense exchange on the lawn of the White House, Trump told the ABC's Americas editor John Lyons he was 'hurting Australia'.
Excerpt: The ABC Americas editor found himself accused by Donald Trump of 'hurting Australia' during a heated exchange that saw the US President threaten to 'tell on' Lyons to Prime Minister Anthony Albanese
https://www.sbs.com.au/news/article...w-up-with-abc-journalist-john-lyons/85u3mdbz1
Watch: Trump accuses journalist of 'hurting Australia'
Cited text: US President Donald Trump has criticised an Australian journalist during a tense exchange at the White House, accusing him of damaging Australia’s rel...
Excerpt: The ABC Americas editor found himself accused by Donald Trump of 'hurting Australia' during a heated exchange that saw the US President threaten to 'tell on' Lyons to Prime Minister Anthony Albanese
https://www.1news.co.nz/2025/09/17/watch-trump-accuses-journalist-of-hurting-australia/
Watch: Trump accuses journalist of 'hurting Australia'
Cited text: The Trump administration then used an official White House account to label Lyons a 'foreign fake news loser'.
Excerpt: the White House officially labelled the respected journalist a 'foreign fake news loser' on social media
https://www.1news.co.nz/2025/09/17/watch-trump-accuses-journalist-of-hurting-australia/
John Lyons (journalist) - Wikipedia
Cited text: John Lyons (born 1961) is an Australian journalist. As of May 2025 Lyons is Americas Editor at the Australian Broadcasting Corporation, having previou...
Excerpt: John Lyons isn't some rookie reporter looking to make a name for himself—he's a 64-year-old journalism veteran who currently serves as the ABC's Americas Editor and has won four Walkley awards
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Lyons_(journalist)
John Lyons (journalist) - Wikipedia
Cited text: Lyons won the Graham Perkin Australian Journalist of the Year Award in 1999 for his work with The Bulletin.
Excerpt: John Lyons isn't some rookie reporter looking to make a name for himself—he's a 64-year-old journalism veteran who currently serves as the ABC's Americas Editor and has won four Walkley awards
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Lyons_(journalist)
John Lyons (journalist) - Wikipedia
Cited text: ... 1999, for Commentary, Analysis, Opinion & Critique, for his national affairs reporting for The Bulletin · 2001, for Broadcast Interviewing for his...
Excerpt: In 2024, he won Journalist of the Year at the Kennedy Awards for his Middle East reporting
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Lyons_(journalist)
Trump was in a 'pretty feisty mood', ABC journalist says, after tense exchange | SBS News
Cited text: Lyons said he had been researching Trump's business dealings, including his links to cryptocurrency, as part of an upcoming Four Corners program....
Excerpt: Lyons was at the White House as part of an upcoming Four Corners investigation into Trump's business dealings, including his extensive cryptocurrency connections
https://www.sbs.com.au/news/article...w-up-with-abc-journalist-john-lyons/85u3mdbz1
Trump was in a 'pretty feisty mood', ABC journalist says, after tense exchange | SBS News
Cited text: Lyons said he had been researching Trump's business dealings, including his links to cryptocurrency, as part of an upcoming Four Corners program.
Excerpt: Lyons was at the White House as part of an upcoming Four Corners investigation into Trump's business dealings, including his extensive cryptocurrency connections
https://www.sbs.com.au/news/article...w-up-with-abc-journalist-john-lyons/85u3mdbz1
Donald Trump Lashes Out at Reporter Asking About His Family Cash Grabs: ‘Quiet!’
Cited text: Speaking to reporters at the White House before departing for his state visit to the U.K., Trump was asked by Australian Broadcasting Corporation jour...
Excerpt: 'Is it appropriate, President Trump, that a president in office should be engaged in so much business activity?' he inquired, referencing reports that Trump and his family have made billions since his return to power
https://www.thedailybeast.com/donal...ter-asking-about-his-family-cash-grabs-quiet/
Trump Tells Australian Journalist To ‘Be Quiet’ Over Question On Business Dealings As President, Conflict Of Interest | Sahara Reporters
Cited text: John Lyons, a correspondent with the Australian Broadcasting Corporation, had asked the president whether it was appropriate for a sitting president “...
Excerpt: 'Is it appropriate, President Trump, that a president in office should be engaged in so much business activity?' he inquired, referencing reports that Trump and his family have made billions since his return to power
https://saharareporters.com/2025/09...iet-over-question-business-dealings-president
Trump was in a 'pretty feisty mood', ABC journalist says, after tense exchange | SBS News
Cited text: 'In my opinion, you are hurting Australia very much right now,' the president said. 'And they want to get along with me. You know, your leader is comi...
Excerpt: 'In my opinion, you are hurting Australia very much right now, and they want to get along with me.
https://www.sbs.com.au/news/article...w-up-with-abc-journalist-john-lyons/85u3mdbz1
Trump was in a 'pretty feisty mood', ABC journalist says, after tense exchange | SBS News
Cited text: Speaking to Radio National Breakfast on Wednesday, Lyons said Trump was in a 'pretty feisty mood' and joked he would have to 'brace himself' for when ...
Excerpt: Speaking to Radio National Breakfast the following day, Lyons said Trump was in a 'pretty feisty mood' and joked he would have to 'brace himself' for when the US president 'tells on me' to Prime Minister Albanese
https://www.sbs.com.au/news/article...w-up-with-abc-journalist-john-lyons/85u3mdbz1
Trump was in a 'pretty feisty mood', ABC journalist says, after tense exchange | SBS News
Cited text: The prime minister described his call with Trump as 'really warm'.
Excerpt: Speaking to Radio National Breakfast the following day, Lyons said Trump was in a 'pretty feisty mood' and joked he would have to 'brace himself' for when the US president 'tells on me' to Prime Minister Albanese
https://www.sbs.com.au/news/article...w-up-with-abc-journalist-john-lyons/85u3mdbz1
Trump Tells Australian Journalist To ‘Be Quiet’ Over Question On Business Dealings As President, Conflict Of Interest | Sahara Reporters
Cited text: Previously, SaharaReporters reported that President Trump had the most lucrative year of his life, with his net worth skyrocketing to a record $7.3 bi...
Excerpt: Trump's net worth has skyrocketed to $7.3 billion, up from $4.3 billion in 2024, with cryptocurrency being his primary vehicle for enrichment
https://saharareporters.com/2025/09...iet-over-question-business-dealings-president
Trump Tells Australian Journalist To ‘Be Quiet’ Over Question On Business Dealings As President, Conflict Of Interest | Sahara Reporters
Cited text: Trump's primary vehicle for enrichment has been cryptocurrency.
Excerpt: Trump's net worth has skyrocketed to $7.3 billion, up from $4.3 billion in 2024, with cryptocurrency being his primary vehicle for enrichment
https://saharareporters.com/2025/09...iet-over-question-business-dealings-president
Trump Tells Australian Journalist To ‘Be Quiet’ Over Question On Business Dealings As President, Conflict Of Interest | Sahara Reporters
Cited text: In January, days before reentering the White House, Trump launched a memecoin, adding hundreds of millions to his pile of cash.
Excerpt: Trump's net worth has skyrocketed to $7.3 billion, up from $4.3 billion in 2024, with cryptocurrency being his primary vehicle for enrichment
https://saharareporters.com/2025/09...iet-over-question-business-dealings-president
Trump Tells Australian Journalist To ‘Be Quiet’ Over Question On Business Dealings As President, Conflict Of Interest | Sahara Reporters
Cited text: In office, Trump rolled back regulatory enforcement of crypto and signed legislation favorable to the industry, ensuring he would personally benefit f...
Excerpt: In office, Trump has rolled back crypto regulations and signed favorable legislation, while his memecoins unlock daily, freeing tens of millions per week
https://saharareporters.com/2025/09...iet-over-question-business-dealings-president
Chinese entrepreneur sued for fraud invests $30 million in Trump crypto venture—ABC News
Cited text: Justin Sun -- a cryptocurrency billionaire famous in part for his purchase of a $6 million banana art piece last month -- announced his $30 million in...
Excerpt: Chinese billionaire Justin Sun, who faces SEC fraud allegations, invested $30 million in Trump's World Liberty Financial, triggering provisions that allow Trump-affiliated entities to receive 75 per cent of the company's net revenue
https://abcnews.go.com/US/chinese-e...d-invests-30-million-trump/story?id=116499146
Casten, Smith Demand DOJ Investigation Into Trump Crypto Dinner | U.S. Congressman Sean Casten
Cited text: However, a Bloomberg analysis found that 19 of the top 25 memecoin holders are likely foreign nationals. Notably, Justin Sun, a Chinese billionaire wh...
Excerpt: Bloomberg analysis found that 19 of the top 25 holders of Trump's memecoin are likely foreign nationals, with Sun confirming he held the top spot with more than $18 million worth
https://casten.house.gov/media/pres...nd-doj-investigation-into-trump-crypto-dinner
Trump was in a 'pretty feisty mood', ABC journalist says, after tense exchange | SBS News
Cited text: The journalist said he thought the exchange said a lot about Trump's relationship with the media.
Excerpt: Home Affairs Minister Clare O'Neil told Sunrise it's a journalist's job to 'keep politicians accountable' and that journalists are 'entitled to ask difficult questions'
https://www.sbs.com.au/news/article...w-up-with-abc-journalist-john-lyons/85u3mdbz1
Trump clashes with Australian journalist over business deals in office
Cited text: After the clash, Lyons said it was an 'absurd notion' that asking legitimate questions politely would hurt relations between the long-time allies. ......
Excerpt: After the clash, Lyons called it an 'absurd notion' that asking legitimate questions politely would hurt relations between long-time allies, telling the ABC his enquiries were 'fair, based on research and not asked in an abusive way'
https://ca.news.yahoo.com/trump-clashes-australian-journalist-over-000756022.html
Australia’s Albanese says he had ‘warm’ call with Trump after election win | Elections News | Al Jazeera
Cited text: Australia, one of the closest US allies, has been slapped with a 10 percent tariff as part of Trump’s so-called “reciprocal” duties on dozens of trade...
Excerpt: Australia has been hit with a 10 per cent tariff as part of Trump's 'reciprocal' duties, despite being one of America's closest allies
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025...e-had-warm-call-with-trump-after-election-win
Albanese must learn that smiles and handshakes with Trump won’t save Australia’s AUKUS ambitions | Lowy Institute
Cited text: Following the announcement of a Pentagon review into the extent to which AUKUS is aligned with Trump’s America First agenda and the doubling of tariff...
Excerpt: There's also a Pentagon review into whether the AUKUS submarine deal aligns with Trump's America First agenda, while steel and aluminium tariffs have doubled to 50 per cent
https://www.lowyinstitute.org/the-i...-trump-won-t-save-australia-s-aukus-ambitions
Trump was in a 'pretty feisty mood', ABC journalist says, after tense exchange | SBS News
Cited text: ... Albanese is preparing to travel to New York in the coming days for the United Nations General Assembly meeting, where a face-to-face with Trump on...
Excerpt: Albanese is preparing to travel to New York for the UN General Assembly, where a face-to-face meeting with Trump remains possible.
https://www.sbs.com.au/news/article...w-up-with-abc-journalist-john-lyons/85u3mdbz1
Trump was in a 'pretty feisty mood', ABC journalist says, after tense exchange | SBS News
Cited text: The journalist said he thought the exchange said a lot about Trump's relationship with the media. 'He's sort of at war at the moment with large parts ...
Excerpt: Lyons noted the exchange revealed much about Trump's relationship with media, saying 'He's sort of at war at the moment with large parts of the media, that plays very well with his MAGA base'
https://www.sbs.com.au/news/article...w-up-with-abc-journalist-john-lyons/85u3mdbz1
Donald Trump Lashes Out at Reporter Asking About His Family Cash Grabs: ‘Quiet!’
Cited text: After his clash with Lyons, Trump got into another heated exchange with a reporter, warning that his administration’s crackdown on “hate speech” in th...
Excerpt: During the same press conference, Trump got into another heated exchange with ABC News reporter Jonathan Karl, warning that his administration's crackdown on 'hate speech' could target journalists, telling Karl: 'We'll probably go after…
https://www.thedailybeast.com/donal...ter-asking-about-his-family-cash-grabs-quiet/
Trump Melts Down at ABC Reporter Jonathan Karl: ‘Hate in Your Heart’
Cited text: However, when pressed by ABC’s Jonathan Karl on what he thought, the president replied: “We’ll probably go after people like you because you treat me ...
Excerpt: During the same press conference, Trump got into another heated exchange with ABC News reporter Jonathan Karl, warning that his administration's crackdown on 'hate speech' could target journalists, telling Karl: 'We'll probably go after…
https://www.thedailybeast.com/trump-melts-down-at-abcs-jonathan-karl-hate-in-your-heart/
Meeting Xi before Trump? Why Albanese’s diplomatic calendar matters | Lowy Institute
Cited text: Also—and the government won’t say this part out loud—there are probably doubts in the PM’s office about the value of being too cozy with Trump, gi...
Excerpt: There are probably doubts in the PM's office about being too cosy with Trump, given his unpopularity with Australians and his 'junkyard dog propensity to wag his tail one moment and bite savagely the next'
https://www.lowyinstitute.org/the-i...mp-why-albanese-s-diplomatic-calendar-matters
Albanese government cuts to the heart of the US alliance | Lowy Institute
Cited text: Hegseth is leaving no doubts: “With NATO stepping up, we now have a new standard for allied defence that all of our allies around the world should mov...
Excerpt: The Trump administration is now openly calling on Indo-Pacific allies to match NATO spending increases of 3.5 per cent on defence, with Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth stating 'we can't want their security more than they do…
https://www.lowyinstitute.org/the-interpreter/albanese-government-cuts-heart-us-alliance
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