Copyright dailymail
Here's the thing about Donald Trump and Anthony Albanese: one craves homage, the other projects friendly eagerness. Put them together and you get choreography that flatters both, if you don't look too hard at the power asymmetry. But does Trump actually like Albo? Because that's the vibe he's giving off. More likely, the US President simply adores sycophants. In the space of ten days their bromance has included a White House debut for Albo, and then the prized seat at the APEC table in Gyeongju, with Albo planted to Trump's right, the presidential sweet spot. The body language was unmistakable: praise from the lectern, clinking glasses, even a light pat on Albo's arm by Trump. It was the theatre of proximity, and Trump understands that stagecraft better than anyone in modern politics. Does this really make Albo a Trump sycophant? Not quite. The White House meeting produced a multibillion dollar critical minerals framework and rare earths push that, on face value, advances Australian economic and strategic interests while edging supply chains away from Beijing. If the price of that is indulging an American president's appetite for flattery, most PMs would do it. But there's a difference between transactional tact and visible obsequiousness. Albanese often projects that kid in a lolly shop delight in high office. It's part charm, part vulnerability. It suits Trump because he thrives on the optics of deference. Why does Trump appear to like Albo? Winners usually like other winners, and Trump certainly hates a loser. Albo's commanding election performance early this year would be one of the few things Trump remembers about our PM. Add policy alignment where it counts: on critical minerals and AUKUS for example. None of this requires personal fealty, of course. However, it does reward leaders who read the room. Albo is good at that, and Trump is the room. For now the Trump-Albo bromance suits both men. Our PM is banking substantive achievements while tolerating some presidential theatrics. Trump is collecting homage and headlines while advancing his agenda. The risk for Albo is appearing so pleased to be there that the public mistakes diplomatic lubrication for servility. Equally, most Labor supporters wouldn't have a lot of time for Donald Trump, and the US President's polls are heading in the wrong direction. It's a contrast to Albo, who is riding high in the polls with little opposition internally or on the Opposition benches. Albo doesn't need to be a sycophant because he's doing just fine.
