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Columnist says Australia should speak up once Trump is a lame duck
Columnist Zoe Daniel argues Australia and others have danced around Trump's unpredictability, bullying and threats for years; the midterms are two weeks away, and honesty is on hold.
On air: Hank Ledger and Chip Darnell on The Bonk-o-MeterPublished
At a glance
- First reported by The Guardian: “If Trump becomes a lame duck, surely countries like Australia can say what we really think? | Zoe Daniel”.
- Covered on BBN on Sunday, October 18, 2026, at 10:11 AM ET on The Bonk-o-Meter, by Hank Ledger and Chip Darnell.
- Topics: Australia, Trump.
- BBN covered this story before: CPAC Australia: spectacle, but the right can't agree on Labor (October 11).
The real story
The reporting behind this segment. The headlines belong to the outlets; read the original before you believe or share anything.
What BBN said about it
Hank Ledger · Lead AnchorA column in The Guardian by Zoe Daniel argues that countries like Australia should say what they really think about Donald Trump once he becomes a lame duck.
Chip Darnell · U.S. News AnchorThat's so polite, Hank! Years of holding it in, and they waited until somebody else had cleared the room.
Hank Ledger · Lead AnchorThe piece says everyone has danced around his unpredictability, his bullying and his threats, and that it's past time to reassert values.
Hank Ledger · Lead AnchorIn two weeks come the midterms.
Chip Darnell · U.S. News AnchorSo the honest talk starts the moment it can't cost anything. That's real planning!
Hank Ledger · Lead AnchorBravery, pending midterms.
Chip Darnell · U.S. News AnchorIs that a rating?
Hank Ledger · Lead AnchorMildly Bonkers. The column is real, and the courage comes with an expiry date.
Hank Ledger · Lead AnchorBrock, does the weather get to speak its mind before the midterms?
The story so far
- CPAC Australia: spectacle, but the right can't agree on Labor · The Guardian
- Columnist says Australia should speak up once Trump is a lame duck (this story)
From the archive: everything BBN aired on Sunday, October 18, 2026 · the World archive · all months
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