WA Premier Roger Cook Apologizes for Calling US Vice President JD Vance a 'Knob'
Cook described his remark during a Perth event as a lighthearted but unprofessional moment, extending an apology to Vance and others who may have taken offense.
- Roger Cook, Premier of Western Australia, called US Vice President JD Vance a 'knob' during a rapid-fire Q&A at a leadership forum in Perth, eliciting laughter and applause from the audience.
- Cook later clarified that the remark was meant to be lighthearted and apologized for any offense caused, including to Vice President Vance.
- The comment comes during a sensitive time in US-Australia relations, with Western Australia playing a key role in the AUKUS security partnership involving nuclear-powered submarines.
- Federal Treasurer Jim Chalmers and former WA Premier Mark McGowan offered differing reactions, with Chalmers suggesting he would have chosen different words and McGowan defending Cook's honesty.
- This is not the first time Cook has criticized US leadership; he previously warned that Donald Trump's policies could negatively impact Western Australia's economy and trade with China.
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