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Donald Trump impersonated by Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull in leaked recording

"The Donald and I, we are winning in the polls, we are winning so much, we are winning in ways we have never won before"

Rachel Roberts
Thursday 15 June 2017 09:40 BST
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Audio leaked of Australian PM Malcolm Turnbull's joke impression of Donald Trump

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The Australian Prime Minister has performed a skit on stage ridiculing Donald Trump's mannerisms and poking fun at him over “fake polls” and Russia.

Malcolm Turnbull gave the light-hearted speech behind closed doors to a room full of journalists in Canberra at the Australian Parliament’s annual mid-winter ball.

Traditionally remarks from the event are not reported upon, but a recording of the premier's routine leaked online and has now been shared around the world.

In it Mr Turnbull, who leads the Australian Liberal Party, can be heard impersonating the President, who he met for the first time in New York last month.

“It was beautiful. It was the most beautiful putting-me-at-ease ever,” he joked.

“The Donald and I, we are winning and winning in the polls. We are winning so much, we are winning, we are winning in ways we have never won before."

He then alludes to the ongoing investigation into the Trump campaign’s links with Russia, adding: “I have this Russian guy… Believe me, it’s true, it is true.”

Journalist Laurie Oakes, political editor of the Nine Network, leaked details of the speech because he did not attend the event himself and therefore does not believe he should be bound by off–the-record rules.

Mr Turnbull has yet to comment on the leaked recording.

The relationship between the President and the Australian PM did not get off to the best of starts when Mr Trump reportedly told Mr Turnbull he had spoken with four other leaders - including Russian President Vladimir Putin – and that “this was the worst call by far”.

Mr Trump, however, derided reports of a stormy phone conversation between the two as “fake news”.

“They said we had a rough phone call… we didn’t really have a rough phone call. It got a little bit testy. But that’s okay.”

The President then kept Mr Turnbull waiting for three hours before the pair met in New York.

Mr Trump said after that meeting the US had a “fantastic” relationship with Australia.

“I love Australia. I always have,” he said, before stating hew would “absolutely” visit the country as President.

“That will happen. One of the great, great places. One of the most beautiful places on earth,” he said.

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