Australian Billionaires Back Trump With Full-Page Ads Amid Inauguration Buzz

President-Elect Donald Trump speaks at his victory rally at the Capital One Arena on Jan. 19, 2025. Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images

As Donald Trump prepares to take office, Australian billionaires Anthony Pratt and Gina Rinehart have publicly thrown their support behind him through full-page advertisements in major American newspapers.

Pratt, the packaging magnate, placed an ad in The New York Times featuring a map of the United States congratulating Trump and endorsing his economic agenda.

“Congratulations, President Trump,” the ad read. “I’m honored to support your call to Make America Great Again by bringing manufacturing jobs back home.”

Pratt, who recently secured U.S. permanent residency, announced his relocation to the United States in a LinkedIn post on Nov. 11, citing longstanding business interests and family ties.

Pratt Industries is headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia and has spent three decades investing in the States with 70 factories, and 12,000 manufacturing jobs.

Australia’s Wealthiest Person Lauds Trump Economic Policies

Mining tycoon Gina Rinehart placed ads in The New York Post and The Wall Street Journal, addressing Trump directly in a message titled, “To the Outstanding Leader.”

The ad commended Trump’s stance against excessive government regulation and taxation, stating, “We well know you love your country and are exceptionally dedicated to its people.”

Rinehart expressed confidence in Trump’s pro-business approach, arguing that “high government tape, regulation and taxes do nothing to encourage investment,” which she described as essential for raising living standards.

Rinehart was photographed at Mar-a-Lago during U.S. election night along with UK Reform Party leader Nigel Farage.

The mining magnate has long been a supporter and sponsor of conservative causes, and has often called for Australia to adopt more free market principles.

Rinehart and Pratt will both attend the inauguration.

Inauguration Plans Adjusted Due to Weather

Meanwhile, Trump’s inauguration plans have faced last-minute changes due to an approaching winter storm. The swearing-in ceremony, originally set to take place outdoors at the National Mall, will now be held inside the Capitol building’s rotunda.

The indoor venue can accommodate only a fraction of the crowd initially expected to attend. The sudden change has also led to a reassessment of the guest list, making it a more exclusive affair.

Australian Delegation Attending Ceremony

Australia will be officially represented at the inauguration by Foreign Minister Penny Wong and Ambassador to the U.S., former Prime Minister Kevin Rudd.

Wong highlighted the importance of Australia’s presence, calling it “a demonstration of the steadfast alliance between Australia and the United States.”

Rudd, who has been critical of Trump in the past and once dismissed him as “not the brightest bulb,” recently met with the president-elect at one of Trump’s golf courses in Florida.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese welcomed the interaction, stating, “Kevin Rudd has been very active in fostering relationships with the new administration, and this underscores the importance Australia places on our alliance with the U.S.”