'F**k off!': Gold Coast Mayor Tom Tate loses it at journo

Gold Coast Mayor Tom Tate has sworn at a journalist, then walked out of a press conference, after being questioned about a visit to the US in February this year.

At the time, Tate claimed to have had dinner with president Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump at Trump's property Mar-a-Lago.

The ABC reports that it later "uncovered inconsistencies over whether Mr Tate had actually dined with the president, with the White House saying the president and first lady 'did not have dinner with that group'.”

Which is why at a press conference yesterday, an ABC reporter questioned Tate about the incident.

He was asked to confirm that he attended the dinner with the Trumps, and replied, "We all know that."

When he was asked to confirm how long the dinner went, the mayor said: “I've already answered yes, and the matter's private so I'm not going to elaborate much further than that.”

As Tate continued to avoid giving direct answers, the reporter referenced a statement from The Trump Organization, which reportedly said the “account of what occurred is a complete fabrication.”

The statement continued, "Any suggestion that the president had dinner with Mayor Tate, or that he attended an event that was directly or indirectly connected to or associated with Mayor Tate or his event, is categorically false.

“While the president was on the patio, he briefly said hello to the mayor's table, as he typically does with guests at Mar-a-Lago.”

Tate responded, "All I'm telling you is what I believe is correct".

The exchange escalated after that. Under increasing pressure, Tate finally exploded.

 

 

 

 

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When a journalist asked how much the trip cost, a clearly irritated Tate repeated that the information is "private" before asking if the reporter was from the ABC.

Upon the reporter confirming he was, Tate flicked his hand in his direction as he walked away, saying “F**k off, yeah f**k off, I've had enough of that.”

Following the exchange, Gold Coast Deputy Mayor Mark Hammel said Tate’s language was not appropriate.

“That’s not appropriate behaviour in any circumstance,” Hammel told reporters.

“I appreciate the mayor was worked up, but that’s not appropriate language.

“You’ve got a job to do as journalists to ask questions.”

Tate did not return to the press conference, nor has he yet apologised to the journalist.