PVO: Kevin Rudd’s cringe two-word response to Tenacious D’s joke about Trump being shot shows he’s in full suck-up mode to The Donald

Normally, an Australian ambassador to the US who calls a presidential candidate “crazy,” accuses him of “depraved treason” and claims his first term as president was the “most destructive” in history would be immediately disqualified from serving under such a person.

But this year’s presidential showdown between Donald Trump and incumbent President Joe Biden is anything but normal.

Rudd’s colorful and condemnatory comments about Trump pale in comparison to what Trump’s recently announced vice presidential nominee, J.D. Vance, has previously said about his new boss.

In 2016, he claimed that Trump was becoming “America’s Hitler.” It’s hard to be more critical of a presidential candidate.

It goes without saying that Vance distanced himself from those comments, as he sought to climb the Republican ladder in an era when The Donald had become all-powerful within the Republican Party.

Rudd’s penchant for colourful language is well known. He has previously described the Chinese as “rat f**kers” and is said to have cursed an Australian air force employee who had spoiled his in-flight meal.

But our former prime minister and current ambassador to the US apparently draws a line when it comes to rock stars making ill-timed jokes about political assassination attempts.

When Kyle Gass, a member of the band Tenacious D, “wished for the death of the president” at a birthday party in Sydney last weekend, Rudd seized the opportunity to express his outrage.

He called the comments “sick” and urged the successful musician to “grow up and get a decent job.”

Gass made his wish, no doubt spurred on by the audience’s laughter, adding, “Don’t miss Trump next time.”

“When someone jokes about violence, it makes me physically sick,” Rudd claimed.

I wonder if the outrage brigade is equally critical of Trump’s many references to violence in recent years.

For example, during the 2016 campaign, Trump jokingly told a crowd in Iowa, “I could stand in the middle of Fifth Avenue and shoot somebody, and I wouldn’t lose a single vote.”

Does that comment make Rudd “physically ill” too? Or does his stomach only act up selectively when it suits him?

He is in good(ish) company when it comes to stoking the outrage. Senator Ralph Babet of the Palmer United Party said the musician should be deported over the comments. The band has since cancelled its Australian tour.

Frontman Jack Black has reportedly ended his 30-year association with Gass over the lame joke, announcing that the pair’s partnership has ended.

Trump said Gass’ comment about killing Donald Trump made him “physically ill.” Trump is seen above with a bandage on his ear at the Republican National Convention

Kyle Gass’ crude joke caused a rift in his relationship with Tenacious D frontman Jack Black (left and right)

Meanwhile, Rudd has proudly declared that he has become a real pest when it comes to texting, and that he is using his flexible thumbs to build a relationship with the new Republican vice presidential candidate.

I’m sure Vance could take Rudd out of the lineup if called upon.

Rudd is now in full crawl mode, looking to secure his viability as ambassador, regardless of who gets another four years in the White House.

“Since I took office about a year ago, my main focus has been on having conversations with the potential members of a future Trump administration,” Rudd said.

And for good reason. Trump is not exactly glowing in his reflections on Ambassador Rudd. Earlier this year, Trump suggested that Rudd might not be eager for the world of Washington politics:

“I heard he was a little mean. I heard he’s not the brightest, but I don’t know much about him. If he’s even remotely hostile, he won’t be around for long.”

If the Democrats find a way to win, led by Joe Biden or a new, younger candidate instead, Rudd is confident he has the relationships to successfully represent Australia on that side of the party political spectrum.