Donald Trump praises Anthony Albanese after Australian election win

Trump calls Albanese a "very fine man" as Australia's prime minister secures a strong mandate.

Anthony Albanese at the Labor Party election night event in Sydney, on May 3, 2025. Photo by Brent Lewin/Bloomberg

By Anna Fadiah and Hayu Andini

U.S. President Donald Trump publicly praised Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese following his decisive election victory, calling their relationship strong and respectful. Trump’s comments came despite Albanese’s clear effort during the campaign to distance himself from policies associated with Trump’s brand of politics, which outgoing Liberal Party leader Peter Dutton was accused of embracing.

Speaking at the White House on Sunday, Trump told reporters he maintained a “very good relationship” with Albanese, describing the Australian leader as “very nice” and “very respectful.” Trump emphasized the friendly rapport he has built with the prime minister, referring to a February phone call in which he characterized Albanese as a “very fine man.”

The remarks came just a day after Albanese’s center-left Labor Party secured a dominant re-election victory. The win was widely seen as a rejection of Dutton’s more hardline, Trump-influenced policies, with voters opting for stability and moderation amid global economic and security challenges. Trump said on Sunday that he was unaware of who ran against Albanese but reiterated his support for the Australian leader.

A strong mandate and strategic diplomacy

Albanese, speaking from Canberra on Monday, confirmed that he and Trump had a “very warm and positive” post-election phone conversation. Topics reportedly included future economic ties, the evolving U.S. tariff structure, and the Aukus security pact—an agreement between the U.S., U.K., and Australia aimed at enhancing regional defense cooperation in the Indo-Pacific.

Under Aukus, Australia is expected to acquire American nuclear-powered submarines by the early 2030s, a move considered central to regional security amid rising tensions in the Asia-Pacific. Albanese’s reaffirmed commitment to this agreement during his conversation with Trump highlights the strategic alignment between the two leaders despite their differing political ideologies.

Trump’s unpopularity in Australia and Dutton’s MAGA misstep

Though Trump praised Albanese’s demeanor and leadership, the U.S. president remains deeply unpopular among Australians. A Redbridge opinion poll from March indicated that 59% of Australians disapproved of Trump, a sentiment that significantly shaped the political narrative during the election campaign.

Peter Dutton, the leader of the center-right Liberal Party and now former opposition leader, was criticized for leaning too heavily into Trump-style rhetoric. During the campaign, Dutton initially applauded Trump as a “shrewd” and “big thinker,” suggesting that he could negotiate better trade deals with the U.S. However, as public backlash grew, Dutton was forced to walk back these comments, highlighting the risks of embracing Trumpism in Australian politics.

Dutton also attempted to introduce a Trump-style policy mandating an early return to office for government employees. This proposal was similarly abandoned following negative media coverage and internal dissent, further weakening his platform.

Albanese reaffirms Australia’s independent values

In his election night victory speech, Albanese emphasized Australia’s distinct political identity and its rejection of foreign influence on domestic governance. “We do not need to beg, or borrow, or copy from anywhere else,” he said to supporters. “We do not seek our inspiration overseas. We find it right here, in our values and in our people.”

The message served as a clear repudiation of Dutton’s strategy and a broader rejection of the MAGA ideology that has polarized American politics. It also signaled that while Albanese is open to working with international allies, including Trump, his administration will prioritize Australian values over imported political agendas.

A contrast in leadership styles

The public contrast between Albanese and Trump is stark. Where Trump is known for his brash, confrontational tone, Albanese has cultivated an image of calm pragmatism and steady leadership. This contrast was visible throughout the campaign, with Albanese projecting a message of unity and renewal, while Dutton often took a more combative stance, echoing some of the polarizing language that characterizes Trump’s political playbook.

This dynamic played out during the second leaders' debate, when Albanese was asked whether he trusted Trump. “I have no reason not to,” he responded, carefully avoiding any direct criticism while subtly reinforcing his own image as a diplomatic and balanced leader.

Australia’s center-right faces identity crisis

Following the election, the Liberal Party faces a critical crossroads. With Dutton stepping down after losing his seat, the party is now grappling with whether to embrace the populist, nationalist rhetoric associated with Trump or return to a more moderate, traditional conservative platform.

The debate within the Liberal ranks reflects broader tensions in conservative politics worldwide, as right-wing parties struggle to define their identity in the post-Trump era. Some members are calling for a return to policy-driven governance and institutional conservatism, while others believe a more confrontational, culture-war-focused strategy is necessary to galvanize voter support.

Political analysts suggest that the Liberal Party’s failure in this election was largely due to its perceived lack of authenticity and strategic clarity. By trying to emulate Trump while simultaneously denying that influence, the party alienated moderate voters and failed to energize its base.

Looking ahead: Can Albanese maintain momentum?

As Albanese begins his second term, the focus will shift to whether his government can deliver on the promises of stability, economic recovery, and climate action that defined his campaign. With the global economy in flux and security concerns growing in the Indo-Pacific, the prime minister’s leadership will be tested in the months ahead.

His reaffirmed relationship with Donald Trump, while diplomatically important, will need to be balanced with Australia’s broader foreign policy goals, including its ties to China, the European Union, and regional partners. Albanese has thus far demonstrated a capacity to navigate these complexities, but the coming years will demand careful diplomacy and policy consistency.

Meanwhile, Trump’s praise of Albanese reflects a rare moment of bipartisan goodwill in the usually fractious world of international politics. However, given Trump’s divisive reputation in Australia, Albanese will likely continue to walk a fine line—maintaining strategic alliances while reinforcing the distinctiveness of Australian political culture.