Donald Trump’s UK visit: ‘Britain is in turmoil,’ says president
US leader lavishes praise on Boris Johnson as tension mounts ahead of arrival
US President Donald Trump has addressed the political upheaval gripping Westminster just two days before his visit to the UK.
Speaking to reporters on the White House lawn, the US commander-in-chief laid out the itinerary of his week-long trip to Europe in characterically blunt style. “I have Nato, I have the UK which is in somewhat turmoil, and I have Putin,” he said. “Frankly, Putin may be the easiest of all.”
The two-day working visit to the UK would be “an interesting time”, Trump added.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Interesting, certainly, but Theresa May and her allies might also say inopportune. May’s premiership has been left hanging by a thread following the dual resignations of Brexit minister David Davis and Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson from her cabinet in protest at the Prime Minister’s Brexit plans.
Asked if May should remain in No. 10, Trump “offered few words of reassurance” for the beleaguered PM, says The Independent.
“That’s up to the people,” he said, adding: “I get along with her very well.”
Unhappily for May, his most effusive praise was reserved for the outgoing foreign secretary.
“Boris Johnson’s a friend of mine, he’s been very nice to me, very supportive and maybe I’ll speak to him when I get over there,” Trump said. In case there was any doubt on the matter, he added: “I like Boris Johnson, I’ve always liked him.”
The two-day whirlwind tour, which will see the president take in London, Windsor and Scotland, is set to be an uncomfortable experience both for Trump and his hosts.
Officers from regional police forces will pour into London on Friday to help their Met Police colleagues contain the anticipated mass demonstrations. The Guardian reports that Trump’s visit has spurred the biggest police mobilisation in the capital since the 2011 riots.
White House sources have already raised concerns that the scale of the protests - which will include a giant blimp over Whitehall caricaturing Trump as a crying baby - could prompt the thin-skinned president to “lash out” at his hosts.
Trump’s “extraordinary comments” today will do little to assuage fears that the two-day visit will be a “diplomatic minefield”, says the Daily Mail.
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
Today's political cartoons - April 27, 2024
Cartoons Saturday's cartoons - natural gas, fundraising with Ted Cruz, and more
By The Week US Published
-
Aid to Ukraine: too little, too late?
Talking Point House of Representatives finally 'met the moment' but some say it came too late
By The Week UK Published
-
5 generously funny cartoons on the $60 billion foreign aid package
Cartoons Artists take on Republican opposition, aid to Ukraine, and more
By The Week US Published
-
Haiti interim council, prime minister sworn in
Speed Read Prime Minister Ariel Henry resigns amid surging gang violence
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Justices set to punt on Trump immunity case
Speed Read Conservative justices signaled support for Trump's protection from criminal charges
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
'Biden is smart to keep the border-security pressure on'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By Harold Maass, The Week US Published
-
Arizona grand jury indicts 18 in Trump fake elector plot
Speed Read The state charged Mark Meadows, Rudy Giuliani and other Trump allies in 2020 election interference case
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
'Voters know Biden and Trump all too well'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By Harold Maass, The Week US Published
-
Who will win the 2024 presidential election?
In Depth Election year is here. Who are pollsters and experts predicting to win the White House?
By Justin Klawans, The Week US Published
-
National Enquirer helped Trump in 2016, ex-boss says
Speed Read David Pecker says the tabloid published fabricated content to hurt Trump's rivals
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Sitting in judgment on Trump
Opinion Who'd want to be on this jury?
By Susan Caskie Published