Bitter ex-prime minister Malcolm Turnbull is savaged after weighing in on the American election with just three simple words

Malcolm Turnbull has been criticised for weighing in on the US election, with some Australians taking the opportunity to savage his issue-plagued NBN rollout. 

The former Australian prime minister tweeted the simple message 'count every vote' on Wednesday night after President Donald Trump preemptively claimed he beat Joe Biden at the polls before all the votes have been counted.

But Mr Turnbull's opinion wasn't met with a warm reception, with hundreds savaging the retired politician for his own time as leader. 

'Who are you?' One Twitter user replied. 'Don't worry Mal, I'm sure none of them are for you,' said another.

Donald Trump declared victory in the deadlocked election at 2.30am Wednesday morning local time, calling Tuesday's election a 'fraud on the American people'

But Mr Turnbull's opinion wasn't met with a warm reception, with hundreds savaging the retired politician for his own time as leader

Former prime minister Malcolm Turnbull tweeted the simple message: 'Count every vote'

'Must hurt knowing Trump is admired by the Americans and you sadly are laughed at by the Australian public. Must hurt a tad,' a third wrote.

'Fibre to every house...,' said another, taking a swipe at Mr Turnbull's copper NBN, which is $21 billion over-budget and ranked 62nd in the world for speed. 

Labor foreign affairs spokeswoman Penny Wong also weighed in on the US election, saying Americans had voted in historic numbers and their votes should be respected.

'They deserve to have their voices heard,' she tweeted after Mr Trump's comments.

'The democratic process must be respected, even when it takes time.

'It's in Australia's interest that America remains a credible, stable democracy.'

Labor foreign affairs spokeswoman Penny Wong also weighed in on the US election, saying Americans had voted in historic numbers and their votes should be respected

Liberal MP and former diplomat Dave Sharma was similarly concerned.

'Above all else, being a democratic leader means respecting the verdict of the voters, the sanctity of the process, and facilitating a peaceful transfer of power when needed,' he tweeted.

'Patience and humility are both necessary virtues.'

Labor MP Kate Thwaites was critical of the potential delay to the count.

'Democracy is precious.'

Earlier, Labor leader Anthony Albanese said he would be looking closely at the outcome.

'It may well be a range of days before we get an outcome, and I think that's concerning - there's nervousness there in the US, given the propensity for a more divisive society than we've seen for a long period of time.'

Senior ministers declined to comment on the election count.

Labor foreign affairs spokeswoman Penny Wong said Americans had voted in historic numbers and their votes should be respected

'I am absolutely confident that, no matter the outcome, Australia's relationship with the United States will continue with the strength and the depth that it has exhibited over more than a century now,' Foreign Minister Marise Payne said. 

Trump is preparing to seek a Supreme Court injunction to stop the count, alleging a 'fraud on the American public'.

The comment came despite Trump expressing the view he had won the election.

Contender Joe Biden says his lawyers will fight the move, arguing the American nation must be 'patient' and await the results, which could take days in some states with large numbers of postal votes.

With 80 per cent of the vote counted on Wednesday night, Edison Research was giving Biden 220 electoral college votes to 213 for Trump.

The winner needs 270 electoral college votes.