‘Biting his tongue’: Why Albo could face rocky relationship with Trump presidency come November 5 elections

Anthony Albanese could face a rocky relationship with Donald Trump if the Republican nominee returns to the White House - with speculation the PM could be “biting his tongue” if that happens.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese could be punished for his close relationship with incumbent US President Joe Biden should Republican nominee Donald Trump make a return to the White House.

Political journalist Nick Bryant made the comment on Channel 10’s The Project on Monday night amid Mr Albanese dodging questions regarding the country’s future relationship with Mr Trump, should he win the election on November 5.

Political journalist Nick Bryant. Picture: The Project

“The fact that Albanese has such a good relationship with Joe Biden might (turn) against him himself,” Mr Bryant told the program.

“Trump tends to punish those who’ve had close relationships with people he doesn’t like,” Mr Bryant told the program.

“One of the tragedies of the Trump years was watching people who would ordinarily criticise Donald Trump have to be so sycophantic and sort of kiss his ring.

“And you can imagine Albo would be absolutely biting his tongue.”

Mr Bryant’s comments continued over on the ABC’s Q&A program, where he said Trump was not an “accident of history”.

Asked by an audience member why the world “ignores” Trump being “the very epitome of US society”, Mr Bryant said many historical trend lines ranging from economic to social favoured Trump’s rise.

“I mean, when Donald Trump said the American dream is dead, that really resonated for people who felt like economic castaways in an age of globalisation,” Mr Bryant told the program.

Nick Bryant (left) pictured with policy strategist & commentator Parnell Palme McGuinness on the ABC's Q&A program on Monday night. Picture: Supplied / ABC

“Twitter placed in the hands of Donald Trump a tool to bypass the media, but he didn’t need to because the media kept on amplifying his message.

“Facebook gave the Russians a way of interfering with the election.

Mr Bryant said the “vagaries” in the US Electoral College, which allowed someone who didn’t get the most votes to still become president, also facilitated Trump’s rise.

“He wasn’t historically inevitable, but by 2016 - he had almost become historically inescapable.”

A recent YouGov poll commissioned by the ABC’s Q&A program reveals 1,500 plus voters show concern over both presidential candidates.

Over half (52 per cent) said that they’re worried about Biden retaining power and 60 per cent of Australians fear Donald Trump’s possible return.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese could face problems with his relationship with Donald Trump if the Republican nominee wins the November election, with The Project discussing why Mr Albanese would be “biting his tongue”. Picture: NewsWire / Martin Ollman

The Prime Minister previously spoken out against Mr Trump in the wake of the Capitol riots on January 6 in 2021, stating that he was someone who “sought to undermine democratic process”.

“As we get reminded time and time again, when it’s the United States government that changes, the impact radiates throughout the world,” he said in 2021 as then Opposition Leader.

“Under President Trump, we saw the first steps in a retreat by the US from its historical role as the leader of the post-War international order; an order whose underlying values are those which Australians hold dear.

“It appeared the US was no longer interested in being the indispensable power.”

When asked whether the Prime Minister would be willing to work with a second Trump Administration, Mr Albanese reiterated his good relationship with current president Joe Biden.

“The US elections are a matter for the people in the US,” he said.

“I have a very good relationship with President Biden and the relationship that we’ve built through AUKUS but through other work that we’ve done together as well.”

Former U.S. President Donald Trump is running for a second term. Picture: Spencer Platt/Getty Images/AFP

Travel concerns

Another question that Mr Albanese has refused to answer is what will happen to Mr Trump should he visit Australia, following his US felony conviction.

Mr Trump was found guilty on all 34 counts of falsification of business records in the first degree, which is a felony in the state of New York.

The former president will remain free until his sentencing, which is scheduled on the morning of July 11.

In Australia, the Department of Home Affairs may refuse or cancel a visa if the applicant doesn’t pass the character test.

Despite having a felony status, Donald Trump attended UFC 302 at Prudential Center on June 1 in Newark, New Jersey. Picture: Luke Hales/Getty Images/AFP

Under Section 501 of the Migration Act 1958, one of the key examples of failing the character tests includes “the person has a substantial criminal record”.

This has led to several celebrities such as Snoop Dogg, Mike Tyson and Chris Brown being banned from entering Australia. All three men were banned under the criminal record but have all since had their bans lifted.

When asked whether or not he would grant Mr Trump special access to the country, Mr Albanese reiterated that “it is important that the Prime Minister of Australia (does) not comment. We’re not a party to these court proceedings”.