An Australian politician has branded Donald Trump Jr. a "big baby" after his tour of the country was postponed over visa issues.
The son of former President Donald Trump had been due to speak in Sydney, Brisbane and Melbourne. The event's organizer, Turning Point Australia, said the dates had to be postponed after Trump Jr.'s visa to enter Australia was delayed.
On Thursday, Australia's home affairs minister, Clare O'Neil, wrote in a since-deleted tweet that the tour had actually been canceled due to poor ticket sales.
O'Neil wrote: "Geez, Donald Trump Jr is a bit of a sore loser. His dad lost an election fair and square—but he says it was stolen. Now he's trying to blame the Australian government for his poor ticket sales and cancelled tour.
"Donald Trump Jr has been given a visa to come to Australia. He didn't get cancelled. He's just a big baby, who isn't very popular."
The speaking tour, which was also due to feature Brexit campaigner and former politician Nigel Farage, had been targeted by protesters.
A Change.org petition calling for Trump Jr. to be refused a visa to enter Australia gained more than 22,000 signatures. In an update on the petition page on Thursday, its creator Kris Eriksen claimed a victory over the "indefinite postponement" of the tour.
"People power, manifested in the form of 20,000+ strong petition, secured this win," Eriksen wrote. "The Home Affairs Minister has refuted any claims of 'visa problems' causing the postponement. Australians united against Trump's agendas made this happen along with presumably weak ticket sales."
A Turning Point Australia spokesperson told Newsweek on Wednesday that the postponement was down to visa delays.
"The visa, which has now been issued, was only received late afternoon of Wednesday July 5; only 24 hours before Donald Trump Jr. was set to board a flight to Sydney," the spokesperson said.
Turning Point Australia's Joel Jammal posted on Twitter on Wednesday: "It seems America isn't the only country that makes it difficult for the Trumps."
Jammal added that people who had been due to attend should "hold onto your tickets, this is a short delay nothing more. #CancelCulture."
Alex Antic, a conservative Australian senator who had been due to emcee the speaking tour, said he was "disappointed but not altogether surprised" about the visa delays.
"I am reminded about last year when Nigel Farage received his visa in the last 24 hours. I'm looking forward to the show getting new dates. Aussies want to hear from conservative warriors like these guys."
Newsweek has contacted Trump Jr.'s office via email for comment.
Update 07/06/23, 5:05 a.m. ET: This article was updated to add extra information.
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