The Blubber

Australian billionaire Anthony Pratt has announced his move to the U.S. following his recent green card approval, he shared on LinkedIn. Pratt cited his family’s U.S. citizenship and the extensive businesses he’s developed in America over the past 30 years, creating jobs through his investments in Visy and Pratt Industries. Although relocating, Pratt will remain chairman of Visy Australia and plans to return frequently.

Pratt’s decision to relocate comes just as Donald Trump returns to the White House. Following Trump’s re-election, Pratt’s wealth, valued at $12.3 billion per the Bloomberg Billionaire Index, saw an increase of $311 million post-election.

The relationship between Pratt and Trump reportedly extends beyond business. According to ABC News in October 2023, Trump allegedly shared sensitive U.S. nuclear submarine information with Pratt, who in turn passed on details to others, including journalists and officials. The information was allegedly shared at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago estate and included critical details about U.S. submarines. The Justice Department indicted Trump on multiple charges of document retention under the Espionage Act, though it is expected that these may be dropped with Trump’s return to office. Pratt is among the 80 witnesses identified to testify against Trump regarding the classified document case.

However, recent investigations have strained the Pratt-Trump relationship. Trump, denying the claims, disparaged Pratt on Truth Social, calling him “a red-haired weirdo from Australia.” Despite this, Pratt’s support for Trump began years ago. In 2017, he pledged to invest $2 billion in U.S. manufacturing jobs, particularly in the Midwest, establishing new facilities, including a $500 million paper mill and box plant in Kentucky in 2021.