Clive Palmer’s latest political venture, the Trumpet of Patriots party, has failed to secure any seats in the 2025 Australian federal election, despite a campaign reportedly costing up to $60 million.
A Costly Campaign with Minimal Returns
Palmer’s campaign was marked by an aggressive advertising strategy, including a barrage of unsolicited text messages sent to voters nationwide. This approach led to over 10,000 complaints, highlighting public dissatisfaction with the party’s tactics.
Despite the high spending and widespread outreach, the Trumpet of Patriots garnered only 1.85% of the national primary vote, failing to win any seats in the House of Representatives.
A Controversial Name from the Start
Initially, the party sought to brand itself as “The Trump Party,” in what critics saw as a blatant attempt to capitalise on the popularity of former U.S. President Donald Trump among certain right-wing voter bases. However, the name was ultimately rejected by Australian electoral authorities due to rules against misleading or foreign-associated party names. The rebranded “Trumpet of Patriots” failed to resonate with voters, with many mocking the name as confusing or comical rather than compelling.
Messaging Misfires and Public Backlash
The party’s campaign drew further criticism for divisive messaging, including ads attacking “welcome to country” ceremonies. These were perceived as culturally insensitive and alienating to mainstream Australian voters.
Fragmentation of the Right-Wing Vote
Palmer’s re-entry into federal politics further fractured the right-wing vote, competing with parties like One Nation, which managed to secure 6.24% of the primary vote. This splintering diluted conservative support and made it difficult for Palmer’s party to build a viable voter base.
Leadership Response and Future Prospects
Following the dismal results, Palmer announced his retirement from politics, citing age and a desire to focus on philanthropic efforts. Reflecting on the campaign, he admitted that the party’s branding and strategy had missed the mark, suggesting that had he retained the more familiar United Australia Party name, the outcome might have been different.
While party leader Suellen Wrightson delivered a concession speech calling for unity, the future of the Trumpet of Patriots remains in doubt. With no electoral wins and minimal public traction, the party’s long-term viability is uncertain.
The 2025 federal election served as a harsh reminder of the difficulty new political outfits face, particularly when built on controversial messaging and branding missteps.
