Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has cosied up to US President Donald Trump just months after using him as a political smear throughout the 2025 election campaign.

On Tuesday (Australian time), Mr Albanese emerged from the White House with smiles , and warm words, describing the former president as a “great friend and ally”.

President Trump returned the compliment, calling Mr Albanese a “great prime minister” who was “highly respected”.

So flattered by this, the Australian Prime Minister quipped that he would put that compliment to work in his 2028 election ads.

However, just months ago during the 2025 election, Mr Albanese and his ministers had been using President Trump as an insult against then opposition leader Peter Dutton.

Mr Albanese warned voters in February that “we do not

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