Downing Street cites ‘logistical reasons,’ but exclusion follows tense exchange between Trump and journalist John Lyons.

On Thursday, the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) was excluded from a press conference U.S. President Donald Trump is set to hold near London, following a recent clash between him and the broadcaster’s U.S. correspondent, John Lyons.

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“ABC’s London bureau is still accredited to attend Chequers (the venue of the appearance); however, Downing Street has stated that the broadcaster no longer has space at the joint press conference (with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer) for logistical reasons,” an ABC spokesperson stated.

Trump is scheduled to have lunch today with Starmer at Chequers, the prime minister’s official country residence near London. The two leaders are then expected to appear together before the press.

The Australian broadcaster said it has received no indication that Downing Street’s decision is linked to the episode earlier this week involving Trump and Lyons.

The U.S. president told Lyons to “shut up” after the correspondent asked whether he believed a president could be involved in so many business dealings while in office.

Trump insisted that he does not manage his businesses, saying his children are in charge. He then questioned the journalist about his country of origin and added: “You’re damaging Australia right now … your country wants to get along with me, your leader will come see me very soon, and I’ll tell him you’re asking questions in a very bad tone.”

Lyons, a 65-year-old editor who works for ABC, tried to continue his questioning, but Trump silenced him by putting his index finger to his lips and repeating, “Shut up.”

Later, during a live broadcast on ABC News Australia, Lyons said he did not understand what Trump expected Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese to do about his supposedly “bad tone” in asking questions.

Lyons added that Trump’s reaction was not “appropriate,” as he was asking a legitimate question. The Australian government defended the independence of its public broadcaster. Treasurer Jim Chalmers said, “Journalists have a job to do,” and from what he saw, “that journalist was simply doing his job.”

teleSUR/ JF

Source: EFE

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