One Nation leader Pauline Hanson has reportedly declined a face-to-face meeting with Donald Trump in order to campaign for her party’s candidates in South Australia, as the party records a breakthrough result in the state election.
The decision, revealed by Sharri Markson on Sky News Australia on Monday evening, underscores Hanson’s focus on consolidating her party’s growing domestic support.
According to Markson, Hanson had been personally invited to meet the US President over the weekend but chose instead to remain in Adelaide to support One Nation’s election push.
“She was invited by her friend, supporter and donor, Gina Rinehart, to meet with President Trump in the United States on the weekend, but she chose not to attend,” Markson told viewers. “The meeting between Gina Rinehart and others did go ahead with President Trump, and I’m told it was very successful, but Pauline Hanson wasn’t there.
“It shows she’s prioritising advancing her position in Australian politics.”
The move comes as One Nation rides a wave of momentum following Saturday’s South Australian state election, where the party secured a historic foothold in the lower house.
While Peter Malinauskas and Labor claimed a decisive victory overall, One Nation emerged as a notable beneficiary of shifting voter sentiment.
The party has secured two lower house seats and remains in contention for up to three more, marking a significant expansion of its parliamentary presence.
One Nation candidate Robert Roylance made history by winning the seat of Hammond in the state’s southeast, delivering the party its first lower house seat in South Australia.
Meanwhile, Adelaide Plains Council Deputy Mayor David Paton is expected to claim the seat of Ngadjuri, further strengthening the party’s position.
In the upper house, former Liberal senator Cory Bernardi secured a seat for One Nation, adding to its influence in the state’s legislative council.
Senator Hanson described the result as a milestone moment, declaring it “just the start” of a broader national movement as the party looks to build on its electoral gains.
Images: Sky News
