Donald Trump praises PM, claims to not know who Peter Dutton is

Donald Trump — who has been credited with helping Labor win the federal election — has dealt a brutal blow to ousted opposition leader Peter Dutton.

Donald Trump has praised Anthony Albanese after Labor’s landslide election victory over the weekend and said he does not know who Peter Dutton is.

Some — including research firm YouGov — have credited the US President with helping Labor secure its landslide election, with voters rejecting Mr Dutton’s “Trump-style” politics.

In brief remarks outside the White House, Mr Trump had nothing but good things to say about the Prime Minister.

US President Donald Trump has praised Prime Minister Anthony Albanese. Picture: NewsWire / Jim Watson / Pool / AFP

“Albanese I’m very friendly with,” he told media.

“I don’t know anything about the election other than the man that won, he’s very good.”

Mr Albanese has criticised the Trump administration’s decision to include Australia in blanket tariffs on foreign steel and aluminium imports.

Mr Albanese led Labor to a landslide victory at the federal election over the weekend. Picture: NewsWire / Jeremy Pipe

Mr Trump did so after assuring him an Australian carve out was “under consideration”.

Mr Albanese at the time slammed the move as “not the act of a friend”.

Despite the trade tension, Mr Trump said he had a “very good relationship” with Australia’s leader.

“I can only say that he’s been very, very nice to me, very respectful to me,” he said.

“I have no idea who the other person is that ran against him.

“And, you know, we (Albanese and I) have had a very good relationship.”

Mr Trump says he has ‘no idea who’ ousted opposition leader Peter Dutton is. Picture: Adam Head / NewsWire

Responding to Mr Trump’s comments, Mr Albanese said “Australia and the United States have a great friendship”.

More to come.

Originally published as Donald Trump praises PM, claims to not know who Peter Dutton is