While all eyes were on Washington over the weekend as one billionaire officially entered public office, another touched down in Australia to be entertained by our public officers.
Media mogul Rupert Murdoch, together with his wife, model and thespian Jerry Hall, were the main attraction at Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull's sundowner soiree at Kirribilli House on Saturday.
As foreshadowed in The Australian Financial Review, Hall, Murdoch and his son Lachlan were joined by a handful of chairmen and chief executives, including local entrepeneur Gerry Harvey, newlyweds Ryan and Clare Stokes, the Commonwealth Bank's Catherine Livingstone and SBS boss Michael Ebeid at the Prime Minister's secondary Sydney residence for a belated Christmas party.
Some of Turnbull's cabinet stars, such as new Federal Industry minister Arthur Sinodinos, also turned out to help the host pass around the cocktail franks and dish up acceptable small talk.
Despite only making a cameo appearance, the 85-year-old businessman looked spritely, sophisticated and relaxed in a blue lounge suit, while Hall opted for a ruby midi skirt suit with matching handbag. The couple, who married last March, both accessorised their looks with beaming smiles and some Barack and Michelle Obama-inspired PDA.
It is understood Murdoch is in town to check in with his News Corp lieutenants, while back home in the United States his beleaguered Fox News network announced its latest talking head – former Ukip leader and Donald Trump cheerleader Nigel Farage.
The appointment adds weight to the recent New York Magazine report that Murdoch, who also owns Sydney's Daily Telegraph, The Sun and The Times papers in London, is working hard to establish a relationship with the newly installed President by speaking to Trump three times a week.
While 'Jupert' are down under, Murdoch's ex-wife Wendi Murdoch was on the ground in Washington enjoying the inauguration celebrations with her close friend, Ivanka Trump.
She accompanied Trump's daughter to a candlelit pre-inauguration dinner on Thursday before taking a front-row seat at the swearing in ceremony on Friday.
A photo posted by Wendi Murdoch (@wendimurdoch) on Jan 20, 2017 at 4:57am PST
