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During a recent trip to the United States, I had the opportunity to meet President Trump. Here’s my account of that experience.

Late last year, I was part of a Parliamentary delegation to the United States to speak to US lawmakers and department heads to discuss the plight of Australian citizen Julian Assange.

We were there to call for Julian to be brought home from His Majesty’s Prison Belmarsh, a maximum-security prison in the United Kingdom, where he is awaiting an appeal in relation to extradition proceedings which are being pursued by the United States Department of Justice. The meetings went as well as could be expected and garnered much media interest.

As someone who has observed US politics for many years, I seized on the opportunity to make a brief stopover on the way home at the mother of all political spectacles — a Trump rally.

As the crowd assembled in the carpark, it was clear that it was far from unruly or dangerous. I saw neatly dressed men and women with their families, assembling to hear from a man who they believe will push back against the Washington elites I had been surrounded by a day earlier. These were ordinary, good-natured people who simply appreciate someone in politics standing up for them and taking their concerns seriously.

My Meeting With President Trump

With half an hour remaining before the show, I was fortunate enough to be ushered backstage to meet the former President. The meeting was in a tin shed adjacent to the carpark in which the rally was being held.

As I walked in, the former President was standing in front of a large American flag. He extended his hand and asked me how I was today, noting that I was from Australia, before asking me whether I was going to do some shopping while I was in the country. I replied that the only thing I wish I had bought that day was sunblock. He laughed, shook my hand, and we took a picture. He slapped me on the back and wished me a safe trip home.

The President then addressed the crowd with his trademark “politico-entertainment,” which had them in stitches. His off-the-cuff speech was laced with both sober reflections on the US’s political health and his trademark humour, making the event enjoyable and light-hearted.

Despite being hunted by the DC powerbrokers at 77 years of age, Trump was full of his characteristic positive energy at the rally, as were his supporters. No wonder he is ten points ahead of the sitting President in the polls. The people I saw there were just like you and me, save the stars and stripes on their shirts.

This week we learnt that President Trump is giving consideration to pardoning Julian, should he be elected in November. I hope that I played a small part in that process. It is time for Julian to be reunited with his wife and two children.