Sydney Morning Herald · August 2026

• Frequent use of 'Trump' as metonym for US, framing actions as personal and erratic
• Evaluative vocabulary: 'humiliation', 'unmaking', 'shocking grab for power', 'doom loop'
• Focus on scandals, threats, and failures rather than policy substance
• Quotes Trump with distancing or mocking framing ('coy', 'loses his cool', 'berates')

The entity is 'US' but coverage overwhelmingly centres on Trump as its embodiment; stance toward the country is inferred from treatment of its leader. Some headlines (e.g., 2, 4, 15) report actions neutrally, but the dominant framing is hostile. The outlet's own voice is critical, not merely quoting critics.

• Frames Albanese as politically calculating and manipulative
• Highlights internal party doubts and 'fatal flaw'
• Uses critical verbs like 'spooks' and 'manipulating'
• Questions effectiveness of his strategies

Entity is AU (country), but coverage focuses on PM Albanese as its leader; stance toward the country is inferred via its leader. Some headlines are neutral or positive (e.g., 5, 6), but the dominant political coverage is critical of Albanese's leadership and tactics.

• Uses evaluative framing like 'shocking grab for power', 'great humiliation', 'doom loop'
• Highlights controversies, scandals, and failures (Reflecting Pool, Natalie Harp, January 6)
• Quotes Trump with distancing or critical verbs ('loses his cool', 'berates', 'coy')
• Frames Trump's actions as destabilizing or self-destructive

Some headlines are neutral factual reports (e.g., #1, #12), and #20 reports praise of Kim Jong-un without explicit outlet judgment. The negative stance is conveyed through selection and framing rather than overt hostility; no celebratory or promotional coverage appears.