Was Donald Trump’s pronouncement that the Australian journalist asking uncomfortable questions about whether the US president’s political/business conflicts of interest were “hurting Australia” a thinly veiled threat?

During the exchange, Trump reminded ABC reporter John Lyons that he is meeting fellow head of state Prime Minister Anthony Albanese very soon and that the awkward press conference would be on the agenda.

Donald Trump speaks to journalists during his testy confrontation with the ABC’s John Lyons on Wednesday.Credit: AP

This meeting was scheduled to discuss, among other things, vitally important sovereign issues such as our trade relationship and AUKUS.

It isn’t a long bow to draw.

The White House later referred to Lyons as a “rude foreign Fake News loser”, which puts him in the company of a long line of respected journalists who have fallen foul of the president.

Standover tactics from Trump have become familiar ground for US media companies, which have been blasted by his free speech weapon of choice – defamation actions – aimed at stifling the negative commentary from large media organisations.

In doing so, Trump is weakening or potentially dismantling the infrastructure of the fourth estate. There are already fears for the independence of other US institutions,........

© The Sydney Morning Herald