Pomp and 'Baby Trump' blimps: This is how London is welcoming Trump


Britain's outgoing prime minister and royal family are rolling out the red carpet for President Trump, who arrives in London on Monday for his first state visit to Britain. The rest of Britain? Well, this is how Sky News is teasing his visit:
Trump has already caused a row in Britain. He essentially endorsed former Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson for prime minister, called Meghan Markle, the Duchess of Sussex, "nasty" — he tweeted an unequivocal denial, but The Sun has it on tape — and has "already humiliated outgoing Prime Minister Theresa May over Brexit and challenged her to be tougher in dealing with China's Huawei," Reuters says. Trump said he might meet with Johnson and Brexit Party leader Nigel Farage — either meeting "would be seen as a snub for May" — and he suggested Britain "walk away" from the European Union, a nod toward an economically calamitous no-deal Brexit.
London Mayor Sadiq Khan said in an op-ed Sunday that Trump is "one of the most egregious examples of a growing global threat" from politicians using "the same divisive tropes of the fascists of the 20th century to garner support." Labour Leader Jeremy Corbyn, who declined an invitation to Trump's lavish state banquet at Buckingham Palace, said "Trump's attempt to decide who will be Britain's next prime minister is an entirely unacceptable interference in our country's democracy."
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.
And yes, the "Baby Trump" blimp featured in the Sky News preview will be out, flying in front of Britain's Parliament amid what protesters are calling a "carnival of resistance." Incidentally, Comcast bought Sky last year, beating Rupert Murdoch, who'd been trying to purchase a controlling stake for years. We'll never know how a Murdoch-owned Sky News would have welcomed Trump.
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
Peter has worked as a news and culture writer and editor at The Week since the site's launch in 2008. He covers politics, world affairs, religion and cultural currents. His journalism career began as a copy editor at a financial newswire and has included editorial positions at The New York Times Magazine, Facts on File, and Oregon State University.
-
What are your retirement savings account options?
The explainer The two main types of accounts are 401(k) plans and individual retirement accounts (IRAs)
By Becca Stanek, The Week US
-
7 tranquil hotels worth the trek
The Week Recommends Find serenity off the beaten path
By Catherine Garcia, The Week US
-
'From his election as pope in 2013, Francis sought to reform'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By Justin Klawans, The Week US
-
Hegseth reportedly shared war plans in 2nd group text
Speed Read The defense secretary sent information about an attack in Yemen to a Signal group chat that included his wife and brother
By Peter Weber, The Week US
-
Judge threatens Trump team with criminal contempt
Speed Read James Boasberg attempts to hold the White House accountable for disregarding court orders over El Salvador deportation flights
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US
-
Biden slams Trump's Social Security cuts
Speed Read In his first major public address since leaving office, Biden criticized the Trump administration's 'damage' and 'destruction'
By Peter Weber, The Week US
-
El Salvador refuses to return US deportee
Speed Read President Nayib Bukele of El Salvador said he would not send back the unlawfully deported Kilmar Ábrego García
By Peter Weber, The Week US
-
Trump says electronics tariff break won't last
Speed Read The tariff exemptions on smartphones, laptops and other electronic devices are temporary, the administration says
By Peter Weber, The Week US
-
Man charged in arson attack on Pennsylvania's Shapiro
Speed Read Governor Josh Shapiro and his family were sleeping when someone set fire to his Harrisburg mansion
By Peter Weber, The Week US
-
White House pushes for oversight of Columbia University
Speed Read The Trump administration is considering placing the school under a consent decree
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US
-
Supreme Court backs wrongly deported migrant
Speed Read The Trump administration must 'facilitate' the return of wrongfully deported migrant Kilmar Ábrego García from El Salvador, Supreme Court says
By Peter Weber, The Week US