Australian news and politics live: Clive Palmer joins political party Trumpet of Patriots, echoing Trump

Billionaire mining magnate Clive Palmer has joined a new political party echoing the policies of US President Donald Trump.
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Key Events
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Fox News host Sean Hannity has asked President Donald Trump and Elon Musk about when Mr Trump took legal action against X.
“I sued long before he (Musk) had it,” Mr Trump said.
Mr Musk said he left it up to the lawyers at X, but reiterated “I love the President.”
“I think President Trump is a good man.”
Trump, Musk interview to begin in minutes
America’s across the country, and across X and Truth Social, are preparing to watch President Donald Trump and Elon Musk in their first sit-down interview to discuss DOGE amidst mixed public sentiment over it’s operations.
Mr Musk has been tasked with cleaning up wasteful Government spending, something Mr Trump believes will save American’s an enormous sum.
Mr Musk reportedly has access to an immense amount of information including where Government payments are going and how much is in individuals bank accounts.
What to know about Trump and Musk interview
The interview with President Donald Trump and Elon Musk has been prerecorded.
The duo sat down with Fox News host Sean Hannity.
The president and Tesla owner will discuss the first 100 days of Government, the newly created DOGE and news of the day according to Fox News.
‘The interview America will be talking about’
Fox News has released a trailer of Sean Hannity’s interview with President Donald Trump and Elon Musk.
Dubbed “the interview America will be talking about”, Mr Trump is seen saying: “People are smart. They get it. They really see what’s happening.”
Trump, Musk sit down for joint interview
Fox News will shortly air a highly anticipated interview with President Donald Trump and special government employee, Tesla and X owner Elon Musk.
Mr Musk, who is helming the newly created DOGE (Department of Government Efficiency), will sit beside Mr Trump as they discuss the first 100-days of the second Trump administration.
The hour-long interview will air at 1pm AEDT, 10am AWST, on Fox News in the United States.
Check back for our live coverage of the biggest moments.
Clive Palmer is back
A week after losing a High Court challenge seeking to re-register his United Australia Party to run candidates at the imminent election, the mining magnate has found a new place to park his money and support: the Trumpet of Patriots.
The party is the latest iteration of an outfit that has been around the traps (mainly in Victoria) under a string of names since 2005.
Mr Palmer and Trumpet of Patriots candidate for Hunter Suellen Wrightson noted multiple times at their press conference in Canberra this morning that Trumpet of Patriots was a registered political party – not something entities usually feel the need to underscore.
Mr Palmer won’t be running himself – “I’m too old,” the 71-year-old told reporters – but has pledged to run candidates across the country for both houses.
Their policies thus far amount to fast trains on the east coast (something discussed in Australian politics for more than 40 years), and steadfast backing of everything Donald Trump is doing.
Albo weighs in on Clive Palmer’s new venture
Billionaire Clive Palmer is set to launch his new political venture “Trumpets of Patriots” today, ahead of the next federal election.
Asked for his view, the Prime Minister said people were “entitled to run”, but noted it was a “distortion of democracy when you have an individual spending $100m on a campaign right around the country”.
“I’ve seen these strange ads have been appearing for months now. I’m not sure what the objective of them is, but people are entitled to put themselves forward in an election,” he said.
“But if you’re a serious political party, then you have to have serious policies. At the moment, there’s only one political party in Australia that has serious policies.”
He said the alternative Australian Government was not one backed by Mr Palmer, but a “mob that have, after three years, produced three policies”.
Rate cuts ‘make a difference’ PM says
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has held a press conference in Dulwich Hill in Sydney this morning.
The PM was asked if he was disappointed the RBA had shut down suggestions a second rate cut would follow in April, to which he said Governor Michele Bullock had “done her job”.
“The RBA governor has made some comments that aren’t surprising but, importantly as well, if you look at the statement that was made, the first headline in her statement was about inflation falling. And that’s important,” he said.
He said Australians have “worked hard” to get rates down, and that even if it’s only a saving of $100 a month - as it is for people with a $600,000 mortgage - it will make a difference.
“We know that people are still under financial pressure, but Australians have worked hard for this outcome, and Australians deserve praise and support for what they have done,” he said.
Fresh footage of frail Oscar Jenkins in Russian custody
Another unverified video has emerged of frail Australian prisoner Oscar Jenkins undergoing a medical examination.
Melbourne man Oscar Jenkins, 32, was captured by Russian forces while fighting for Ukraine and the Government has demanded Moscow offer him humanitarian treatment under international rules for prisoners of war.
The new footage shows a thin and shirtless Mr Jenkins sitting in front of a Russian flag while his blood pressure is being checked.
A man speaking in Russian jokes that his blood pressure would be zero if he was dead. The video was likely shot after fears emerged earlier this year that Mr Jenkins may have died in Russian custody.
The latest video underscores Mr Jenkins’ revelation in recently published footage that he is weak and has lost significant weight.
The Government has been advocating for his release.
Albo and fiancée need to pick a date
As Australia waits for Prime Minister Anthony Albanese to pick a date for the federal election, his partner Jodie Haydon has revealed details about another important date, their wedding.
Ms Haydon revealed the wedding will not be before the election, but will be “this year”.
“Our wedding will be a moment when we make that commitment,” Ms Haydon told the Australian Woman’s Weekly.
“We’re doing it in front of family and loved ones, and I see that as … for us. It’s something we’re looking forward to — an important and symbolic way to reaffirm our commitment with each other.”
“It will be small, intimate,” she added.