Donald Trump said Friday that he did not criticize Theresa May in a sharp-tongued interview that dropped on the evening of his arrival in London and that his comments on her leadership were presented out of context.
‘I didn’t criticize the PM. I have a lot of respect for the PM,’ Trump proclaimed at a news conference where he said the interview with The Sun that sent shock waves across London was generally fine ‘but didn’t put in the tremendous things I say about the PM.’
After refusing to comment earlier on the day on whether he regrets his harsh comments in the interview that was conducted before his arrival in the U.K., the president adopted a conciliatory tone at Chequers, the PM’s country house. He heaped on praise and said that together, they had made the special relationship between their two nations even more special.
He also amended a comment in the interview in which he said he gave May advice on how to get out of the European Union, watering his comments to her as a mere suggestion.
Of Brexit he said Friday, ‘Whatever you’re gonna do is OK with us, just make sure we can trade together.’
A meeting with Vladimir Putin on Monday had Trump promising to ‘firmly’ confront the Russian president about election meddling. However, Trump said that watchers should not expect a ‘Perry Mason’ moment where Putin admits to personally ordering the interference.
Donald Trump said Friday that he did not criticize Theresa May in a sharp-tongued interview that dropped on the evening of his arrival in London and that his comments on her leadership were presented out of context
SPECIAL RELATIONSHIP: Trump heaped on praise on May and said that together, they had made the special relationship between their two nations even more special
I WANT TO HOLD YOUR HAND: Trump was unusually contrite at the news conference that came at the end of he and May’s working visit
After refusing to comment earlier on the day on whether he regrets his harsh comments in the interview that was conducted before his arrival in the U.K., the president adopted a conciliatory tone at Chequers, the PM’s country house
The president claimed that a news outlet had not released the polite remarks he made about May, when indeed it had, and that it was ‘fake news’ to say that he’d signaled that the country should throw her over. He used the slam against American reporters from NBC and CNN in the audience, too
Trump was unusually contrite at the news conference that came at the end of he and May’s working visit. Not only did he say that he apologized to May, he complimented the reporters from The Sun who conducted it, despite their focus on the tension between himself and the prime minister.
The president claimed that The Sun had not released the polite remarks he made about May, when indeed it had, and that it was ‘fake news’ to say that he’d signaled that the country should throw her over in favor of ex-foreign minister Boris Johnson.
Clarifying his comments, Trump said: ‘The only thing I ask of Theresa is we make sure that we can trade and don’t have any restrictions. We want the U.K. to trade with us. We have a tremendous opportunity to double, triple or quadruple trade. If they’re going to go a certain route, I just said I hope they will be able to trade with the U.S.
‘I read reports that said that would not be possible,’ Trump said, ‘but after speaking with the PM and her representatives, it seems that will be possible.’
The president’s two days in London had been particularly eye-opening, he acknowledged, and claiming that he and May had achieved a new rung of cooperation between their two governments.
‘I would give our relationship with the UK the highest level of special. Am I allowed to go higher than that?’ he asked May. ‘They are very special people, it’s a very special country and my mother was born in Scotland.’
Trump admitted at the news conference that he was, perhaps, too tough on May prior to her red-carpet welcome for him in the London after a day of talks on Wednesday in Brussels at a NATO summit.
‘As far as advice goes, I gave her a suggestion and I think maybe she found it too brutal. I gave her a suggestion, not advice,’ he said. ‘I can fully understand why she thought it might be tough. If they don’t get the right deal, she may choose to do what I suggested. It’s a disgrace how the EU has taken advantage of the U.S.’
Trump insisted all day that his friendship with Theresa May has never been better just hours after the publication of interview in which he humiliated U.K prime minister with hardline comments on her plans for Brexit
The president’s two days in London had been particularly eye-opening, he acknowledged, and claiming that he and May had achieved a new rung of cooperation between their two governments
‘I would give our relationship with the UK the highest level of special. Am I allowed to go higher than that?’ he said at the end of their two-day escapade. ‘They are very special people, it’s a very special country and my mother was born in Scotland’
The U.S. president, who will meet the Queen for the first time at Windsor Castle later today, said the special relationship between America and Britain is not on the rocks, even though he trashed her plans for a ‘softer’ exit from the EU and said it would kill off a trade deal with America.
Trump had also blasted May for not taking his negotiation advice and and declared that Boris Johnson would make a ‘great prime minister’ in a series of verbal hand grenades after their Blenheim Palace gala dinner last night.
Today, with the special relationship apparently on a cliff-edge, Trump and May met at Sandhurst to watch military manoeuvres and meet the Special Air Service before before heading off to Chequers, the PM’s country house, for lunch on the second day of his four-day trip.
Speaking at Chequers, Trump would not respond to questions about his explosive interview with The Sun but said: ‘The relationship is very, very strong. We really have a very good relationship.’
He added: ‘It’s a very productive two days. We arrived here last night. We had a dinner, where we have never developed a better relationship than last night. We spoke for an hour and a half, and it was really something.’
May also made clear she would not be knocked off track by Trump’s suggestion she had ‘killed’ the chance of a trade deal, saying they would be discussing the ‘real opportunities’ to make it happen after Brexit.
Meanwhile, protests over his visit continued, with a giant balloon depicting him as an orange baby in a nappy inflated in Parliament Square and up to 70,000 people started to march through London.
London Mayor Sadiq Khan signed off on the Trump blimp and the US President last night accused him of abjectly failing to stop the wave of terror attacks on the capital last year.
Around two miles away from Westminster first lady Melania was being given a tour of London by May’s husband Philip, starting at the Royal Hospital Chelsea, where she enthusiastically had a game of bowls with Chelsea Pensioners and local children.
President Trump has sought to repairs wounds he inflicted on Mrs Mary over her ailing Brexit plans by saying their relationship has never been better
Donald Trump today insisted his relationship with Theresa May has never been better as they arrived at Chequers – hours after he embarrassed her by saying she was wrecking Brexit
Mr Trump put his arm around the PM as they walked in for talks overshadowed by some of his criticisms of her
This is the moment Donald Trump met Theresa May after dropping his Brexit bombshell and the leaders looked serious
His visit has sparked mass protests and a controversial giant balloon depicting the US President as a baby in a nappy was inflated in Parliament Square just as Mr Trump’s air entourage flew over (circled)
Last night President Trump and Melania spent the night at the U.S. Ambassador’s home in Regent’s Park and were flown by Marine One to Sandhurst to avoid protests on the streets of London.
His extraordinary entourage of up to 1,000 staff, a giant motorcade led by his bomb-proof Cadillac nicknamed ‘The Beast’ as well as multiple helicopters including Ospreys containing U.S. Marines followed him there.
After a half-hour with soldiers, Trump and May flew separately to Chequers. There, the U.S. president adopted a more conciliatory tone as he sat down for talks with the prime minister.
Seated alongside the PM at her official country residence in Buckinghamshire, he said: ‘The relationship is very, very strong, we really have a very good relationship. We had a dinner where I think we probably never developed a better relationship than last night. We spoke for an hour or an hour and a half and it was really something.
He added: ‘Today we are talking trade, we are talking military – we just looked at some incredible anti-terrorism things that are being done her in conjunction with the US.
‘And the relationship is very strong, we really have a very good relationship. Right now we are going to be talking about some other things in the Middle East and elsewhere.’
Tens of thousands are gathering outside the BBC in central London ahead of an anti-Trump march ending with a rally in Trafalgar Square
Anti-Brexit campaigners are heavily involved in today’s march, which could see an many as 70,000 people taking part
Almost two million people signed a petition demanding he be banned from the UK because they believe he is sexist and racist and many are marching today (pictured)
Protestors wearing Donald Trump and Theresa May paper mache heads join the protest and many believe the Queen should not be seeing him today
Days of protests are planned for The Donald’s visit, including a march through central London tomorrow and everywhere he is visiting
May said Mr Trump had done ‘a very good job’ at the NATO summit in Brussels in encouraging other member states to up their military spending, as it emerged the UK has ordered up to 200 AIM-120D air-to-air missiles for $650 million.
He responded by saying: ‘The Prime Minister and I worked very hard together at NATO. It was an incredible two days. It has never been more united, people are paying.
‘We are two of the five who are fully paid up but others are coming along rapidly.’
Earlier the White House tried to clean up President Trump’s explosive interview, saying he likes May ‘very much’ and she is ‘terrific.’ He made no verbal response to questions about his explosive interview with The Sun. Ignoring a reporter who asked him if he regrets as he convened talks with May, Trump rolled his eyes and shook his head, signaling that he found the inquiry impertinent.
May said trade would be at the heart of their meeting.
‘We have a lot to discuss. We are going to be discussing the special relationship, which is great, between the UK and US,’ she said. ‘We are going to be discussing the real opportunities we have got to have this trade deal coming up when we leave the European Union.’
She added: ‘And of course, we will discuss foreign policy and defense and security issues, where we work really closely together with the U.S.’
This afternoon,Trump will be treated to a Guard of Honour when he meets the Queen at Windsor Castle for tea.
Despite not being an official state visit, the British government is desperate to ensure the U.S. leader feels he is being treated with the appropriate level of pomp and ceremony.
He will then fly up to Scotland this evening before a weekend of golf at one of his resorts with his son Eric before jetting to Helsinki to meet with Russian president Vladimir Putin on Monday.
The two world leaders shook hands ahead of crunch talks as Mrs May had to swallow his criticism of her Brexit negotiations
America’s commander-in-chief was scathing in his critique of the PM’s Brexit negotiations and said she did the ‘opposite’ of what he suggested
A week after the cabinet agreed her Brexit white paper at Chequers, Mrs May was back with Jeremy Hunt (next to the PM) who has replaced Boris Johnson after he quit
Donald Trump waves to crowds as he leaves the London home of US Ambassador Woody Johnson as he spends a likely uncomfortable day with Theresa May after he blasted her over Brexit
Mr Trump has already had a bumpy start to his four-day trip with some critics saying he should not intervene in UK business
Marines salute their Commander-in-Chief as he gets on to Marine One and heads off to meet the PM
Today is Mr Trump’s final day in England before he heads to Scotland, where his mother was born and he owns several golf resorts
May’s trusted Foreign Office minister Sir Alan Duncan insisted Friday that the four-day trip had already been a ‘great success’ — but critics are saying Trump ‘should keep his nose out of British business.’ Some suggested the Queen should cancel her tea with him today.
Protesters have pledged to follow him wherever he goes in Britain. and 10,000 police officers have been drafted in to protect him — the largest number deployed since the 2011 riots.
Almost two million people signed a petition demanding he be banned from the U.K. because they believe he is sexist and racist, and ‘Stop Trump’ campaigners say he will face a ‘Wall of Sound’ outside all the landmarks he visits because supporters will bang pots and pans.
Asked about the threat of mass demonstrations Thursday in Brussels, Trump brushed them off. ‘I think it’s fine. A lot of people like me there. I think they agree with me on immigration. I think that’s why Brexit happened,’ he said.
But Trump waded into the Brexit row in an interview with The Sun conducted from Brussels, saying Theresa May’s Chequers agreement will ‘kill’ a U.S. trade deal.
The U.S. president said he offered the prime minister advice on how to negotiate Brexit, but she ignored him and did the ‘opposite’ in the comments that boomeranged across both sides of the Atlantic.
And in comments sure to infuriate his host, he said Boris Johnson would make a ‘great’ prime minister.
Prior to leaving the White House for Europe, Trump suggested he would meet with Johnson in London. However, the White House told DailyMail.com that a meeting was not on the books before Trump departs for Scotland today.
In an interview with The Sun yesterday, Trump warned that May’s version of Brexit would be consequential for the trade deal that she would then seek to negotiate with the U.S. ‘If they do a deal like that, we would be dealing with the European Union instead of dealing with the U.K, so it will probably kill the deal.’
Ahead of talks with May at Chequers today, he added that he would have approached Brexit differently and had offered his advice, but said May had ignored him.
‘I would have done it much differently. I actually told Theresa May how to do it, but she didn’t listen to me,’ he said.
A British army Apache helicopter hovers as President Donald Trump arrives at Sandhurst Miltary Academy
A ring of steel surrounds Chequers – the PM’s home nestled in the Chilterns in Buckinghamshire
A road block is in place at Chequers ahead of Theresa May’s lunch with Donald Trump at the PM’s country estate in Buckinghamshire
British police snipers watch from the roof of Winfield House as Donald Trump leaves after a night there with First Lady Melania
An Osprey helicopter carrying US Marines follows Mr Trump in Marine One (right) down to Sandhurst for his meeting with Theresa May
Dusting the Beast: A Secret Service officer cleans the armoured Presidential limousine while Mr Trump was meeting Mrs May
Trump’s characteristically undiplomatic intervention twisted the knife on a day when May’s Brexit deal was published and immediately torn to shreds by her own MPs.
One said: ‘This is not going to fly. If the Prime Minister does not drop it, it will kill her.’
Mr Trump also threatened to further strain relations with Mrs May by saying Mr Johnson would make a ‘great’ Prime Minister, and he was saddened to see the former Foreign Secretary resign earlier this week.
In a scathing attack, he said Mrs May’s Chequers deal did not respect the referendum result and would have a ‘negative’ effect on a trade deal with the US.
‘The deal she is striking is a much different deal than the one the people voted on,’ he said.
‘It was not the deal that was in the referendum. I have just been hearing this over the last three days. I know they have had a lot of resignations. So a lot of people don’t like it.’
He added that Mrs May’s plan ‘will definitely affect trade with the United States, unfortunately in a negative way’.
He concluded: ‘No, if they do that, I would say that would probably end a major trade relationship with the United States.’
Mr Trump said Mrs May had not listened to his advice on Brexit, adding: ‘I would have done it much differently. She wanted to go a different route. I would actually say that she probably went the opposite way. And that is fine.
‘She should negotiate the best way she knows how. But it is too bad what is going on.’
US President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump are welcomed at Blenheim Palace by Prime Minister Theresa May and her husband Philip May before his extraordinary intevention on Brexit last night – and all four looked extremely serious
Awkwardly grabbing Theresa May hand ay Blenheim – in a replay of their White House meeting last year – Trump was treated to a fanfare welcome by the Scots, Irish and Welsh Guards bands
President Trump and Melania walked from Air Force One as they landed at Stansted Airport yesterday in a 24 hours where he intervened on Brexit
Donald Trump raises his fist in the air as he lands at the US Ambassador’s historic London home at the start of his four-day tour and the couple spent the night there last night
Protesters gathered at the security fence watch as US President Donald Trump and US First Lady Melania Trump leave in Marine One yesterday
His aerial entourage followed him, and included an Osprey helicopter carrying elite troops from the US Marine Corps protecting him in the UK
Donald Trump’s motorcade speeds through Regent’s Park led by elite British police from Scotland Yard
Johnson had previously said that Trump would do a good job of negotiating Brexit. Trump returned the compliment, saying, ‘I have a lot of respect for Boris. He obviously likes me, and says very good things about me.
‘I was very saddened to see he was leaving government, and I hope he goes back in at some point. I think he is a great representative for your country.’
In a comment that was overlooked in the chaos his praieI am not pitting one against the other. I am just saying I think he would be a great Prime Minister. I think he’s got what it takes.’
Trump also reignite his feud with London Mayor Sadiq Khan, who has granted permission to fly a giant blimp of the President over London.
The pair have clashed on Twitter over terrorism in London. Last night, Mr Trump accused Mr Khan of doing a ‘very bad job’ on terrorism.
‘You have a mayor who has done a terrible job in London. He has done a terrible job.
‘Take a look at the terrorism that is taking place. Look at what is going on in London. I think he has done a very bad job on terrorism.
‘He has done a bad job on crime, if you look – all of the horrible things going on there, with all of the crime that is being brought in.’
Mr Trump also made a series of controversial comments about immigration and the migrant crisis which will infuriate European leaders, adding: ‘I think what has happened to Europe is a shame. Allowing the immigration to take place in Europe is a shame.
‘I think it changed the fabric of Europe and, unless you act very quickly, it’s never going to be what it was and I don’t mean that in a positive way.
‘So I think allowing millions and millions of people to come into Europe is very, very sad.
‘I think you are losing your culture. Look around. You go through certain areas that didn’t exist ten or 15 years ago.’
Last night, Mrs May tried to mend fences with Mr Trump at a black-tie dinner at Blenheim Palace, telling him the UK and US remained ‘not just the closest allies, but the dearest of friends’.
The Prime Minister said Brexit presented an ‘unprecedented opportunity’ to work more closely with US.
Melania bowls them over! First Lady shines on trip to meet the Chelsea Pensioners alongside Philip May
Melania Trump showed off her playful side she tried her hand at bowls during a visit to the Royal Hospital Chelsea on Friday morning.
The First Lady, who wore a £1,550 Victoria Beckham dress and 5in heels for the engagement, looked in excellent spirits as she joined Philip May, the Chelsea Pensioners and a group of local schoolchildren for the game.
Mrs Trump, 48, threw herself into the spirit of the competition and groaned in frustration when her turn went awry. She later celebrated by high-fiving a uniformed Chelsea Pensioner, much to his delight.
The carefree atmosphere is a far cry from the serious mood at Chequers, where Theresa May is currently holding crucial talks with President Trump.
Mrs Trump will later rejoin her husband for a private audience with the Queen at Windsor Castle.
Showing off her skills! The First Lady, wearing 4in heels, tries her hand at bowls as she spends time with Mr May, the Chelsea Pensioners and local schoolchildren at Royal Hospital Chelsea
Close call! Melania looked to be getting into the spirit of the game as she joined the group in the summer sunshine
Team spirit! Melania Trump high-fives a Chelsea Pensioner following the quick game of bowls at the hospital
Good job! Mrs Trump prompted a chuckle from Philip May (pictured standing behind) as she tried bowls on the lawn
Philip May and Mrs Trump appeared to be getting on famously as they joined schoolchildren for the event on Friday
Mr May, who is entertaining Mrs Trump in London today, was instructed by a schoolboy (right) on the bowls lawn
Melania, elegant in a £1,550 Victoria Beckham dress, threw herself into the spirit of the competition and clapped and cheered
Mrs Trump and Mr May appeared in good spirits as they spent time helping the veterans and local schoolchildren make Remembrance Day poppies.
Mrs Trump was greeted by Mr May when she stepped out of her vehicle.
On arrival she also met Lieutenant Colonel Nicky Mott, hospital CEO Gary Lashko and Chelsea pensioners John Riley, Alan Collins and Marjorie Cole.
Melania Trump showed her maternal nature as she helped a schoolgirl make a poppy
Mr May and Mrs Trump helped Chelsea Pensioners and schoolchildren make poppies
After the poppy making, Mrs Trump listened to school children talk about values and service.
Mrs Trump sat in front of a poster which said ‘Be the best you can be’.
The hospital was founded as a retirement home for soldiers by King Charles II in 1682, and the Chelsea pensioners are famous for their distinctive scarlet coats.
The First Lady looked elegant in a bold colour block dress and stilettos for the appearance
Melania Trump and Philip May have stepped out for a joint engagement in London
Melania, who will later join her husband to meet the Queen, struck the right note with her look
The First Lady was greeted by Mr May as she arrived at the hospital on Friday morning
Mrs Trump is carrying out her own engagements as her husband meets with Mrs May
Mrs Trump arrived at Royal Hospital Chelsea, the home of the Chelsea Pensioners
Police officers were part of the convoy escorting Melania to the hospital this morning
Nothing Personal! White House goes on cleanup duty after explosive Trump interview about Theresa May saying he likes British prime minister ‘very much’ and she is a ‘really terrific person’
The White House tried to clean up President Trump’s explosive interview where he trashed British Prime Minister Theresa May’s Brexit plan after pointing to ‘turmoil’ in her government – saying he likes May ‘very much’ and she is ‘terrific.’
White House Press Secretary Sarah Sanders issued the unusual personality-based statement after Trump’s gave an interview with Britain’s Sun where he said her soft Brexit plan would ‘kill the deal’ and said just-resigned Boris Johnson would make a ‘great prime minister.’
‘The President likes and respects Prime Minister May very much,’ Sanders said in the statement.
‘As he said in his interview with the Sun she ‘is a very good person’ and he ‘never said anything bad about her,’ she added – immediately following a black tie event at Blenheim Palace in London where Trump held May’s hand to guide her up the stairs.
US President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump are welcomed at Blenheim Palace by Britain Prime Minister Theresa May and her husband Philip May
‘He thought she was great on NATO today and is a really terrific person,’ she gushed in the statement, the Washington Post reported.
She continued: ‘He is thankful for the wonderful welcome from the Prime Minister here in the U.K.’
Trump will have to deal with fallout from his shots at May at a press conference Friday at Chequers, the prime minister’s official country house.
The walk-back came after Trump began his trip pointing to ‘turmoil’ in Britain and saying he thought his summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin would be easier than either his trip to the UK or NATO.
In Brussels this week, Trump harangued Germany during a breakfast with the NATO secretary general, bashing Angela Merkel for buying energy from Russia and for not boosting defense spending fast enough.
The vote of confidence in May’s personality came after Trump warned that her soft Brexit plan would ‘kill the deal’ between the US and Britain on trade, in an incendiary interview just as his visit to Britain began.
‘Baby Trump’ balloon flies above London as tens of thousands demonstrate against President’s visit after he said he feels ‘unwelcome’ in capital
A ‘baby Trump’ balloon has been erected in Parliament square as tens of thousands take to the streets to protest President Trump’s controversial visit to the UK.
Hours after he landed in London for a four-day tour of the UK, President Donald Trump says he feels ‘unwelcome’ in England’s capital and a 20ft ‘Baby Trump’ blimp made in his likeness is to blame.
The inflated giant blimp made headlines after London Mayor Sadiq Khan permitted the controversial balloon to be flown during Trump’s stop in the city.
The ‘baby Trump’ balloon has been erected in Parliament square as tens of thousands take to the streets to protest President Trump’s controversial visit to the UK
Trump hovers next to the statue of former British Prime Minister Winston Churchill as it soars through London
As the President woke up in the UK, the blimp soared in the skies above Parliament Square beside a Union Jack flag
Hours after he landed in London for a four-day tour of the UK, President Donald Trump said he felt ‘unwelcome’ in England’s capital and said the 20ft ‘Baby Trump’ blimp made in his likeness is to blame
The President proceeded to throw jabs at Mayor Khan, not only for allowing the baby blimp to fly above protests in London that are set to take place this week during his stay, but also for his criticism on Trump’s travel ban on citizens from predominately Muslim countries
The inflated giant blimp made headlines after London Mayor Sadiq Khan permitted the controversial balloon to be flown during Trump’s stop in the city
Hours after he landed in London for a four-day tour of the UK, President Donald Trump says he feels ‘unwelcome’ in England’s capital and a 20ft ‘Baby Trump’ blimp made in his likeness is to blame
Trump, who arrived in Britain on Thursday, told the Sun newspaper that planned protests against him in London and other British cities made him feel unwelcome so he was avoiding the capital as much as possible.
‘I guess when they put out blimps to make me feel unwelcome, no reason for me to go to London,’ Trump told the newspaper.
‘I used to love London as a city. I haven’t been there in a long time. But when they make you feel unwelcome, why would I stay there?’
Britain regards its close ties with the United States, which it calls the special relationship, as a pillar of its foreign policy and Prime Minister Theresa May has courted Trump ahead of the country’s departure from the European Union.
But some Britons see Trump as crude, volatile, unreliable and opposed to their values on a range of issues. More than 64,000 people have signed up to demonstrate in London against Trump’s visit while other protests are expected around the country.
A few hundred people gathered to watch the blimp launch in Parliament Square, with organisers of the stunt wearing red boiler suits and red baseball caps emblazoned with ‘TRUMP BABYSITTER’.
After counting down from 10 to 1 a cheer went up as the large balloon rose to fly around 10 metres off the ground, next to parliament and the River Thames.
A demonstrator stood in a cage in London during the visit by the America President
Protesters gathered in Westminster, London to take part in the ‘Stop Trump’ rally this morning
Trump said that planned protests against him in London and other British cities made him feel unwelcome so he was avoiding the capital as much as possible
Opponents of Donald Trump flew the six-meter blimp depicting the U.S. president as an orange, snarling nappy-wearing baby just outside the British parliament
A few hundred people gathered to watch the blimp launch in Parliament Square, with organisers of the stunt wearing red boiler suits and red baseball caps emblazoned with ‘TRUMP BABYSITTER’
After counting down from 10 to 1 a cheer went up as the large balloon rose to fly around 10 metres off the ground, next to parliament and the River Thames
Organiser Daniel Jones, a charity communications officer aged 26, said they were trying to make people laugh as well as making a serious point. ‘It’s also about giving a boost to those in America resisting his policies,’ he said
One man dressed as a guerrilla and wore a Trump plastic mask, stood inside a large metal cage
London Mayor Sadiq Khan, who was criticised by Trump for failing to control crime and prevent militant attacks, gave his blessing for the blimp to be flown and rejected suggestions this showed a lack of respect to the U.S. president
‘The idea that we restrict freedom of speech, the right to assemble, the right to protest because somebody might be offended is a slippery slope,’ Sadiq Khan told BBC radio, adding that a protest to welcome Trump was also planned
The Trump Big Baby inflatable Blimp is installed in Parliament Square as hundreds of people look on
The inflated giant blimp made headlines after London Mayor Sadiq Khan permitted the controversial balloon to be flown during Trump’s stop in the city. But the balloon didn’t seem to fare so well with the president
Organiser Daniel Jones, a charity communications officer, said they were trying to make people laugh as well as making a serious point.
‘It’s also about giving a boost to those in America resisting his policies,’ the 26-year-old said.
One man dressed as a guerilla and wore a Trump plastic mask, stood inside a large metal cage.
London Mayor Sadiq Khan, who was criticised by Trump in the Sun interview for failing to control crime and prevent militant attacks, gave his blessing for the blimp to be flown and rejected suggestions this showed a lack of respect to the U.S. president.
‘The idea that we restrict freedom of speech, the right to assemble, the right to protest because somebody might be offended is a slippery slope,’ he told BBC radio, adding that a protest to welcome Trump was also planned.
‘We have a rich history in this country of having a sense of humour as well.’
More than 50 events have been planned nationwide in a ‘carnival of resistance’ today, with the balloon kicking things off
Osprey helicopters fly overhead as the 20ft high cartoon baby blimp of U.S. President Donald Trump is inflated
The centerpiece of demonstrations is in protest against Trump’s policies on issues ranging from immigration and race relations to women and climate change
The balloon is intended to be a symbol for all those campaigning against Mr Trump’s controversial policies
Although he may not be a fan of the blimp, it looks like it’ll be following him as he ventures to Scotland later this week.
Protesters are planning to transport the balloon to Scotland overnight to fly it at Trump’s Turnberry golf course, where he is set to play on Saturday, according to The Hill.
Police Scotland says, however, that protesters are not allowed to fly the balloon at the estate during the president’s visit.
‘Clearly there is a significant protection operation in place for the president and this includes restrictions to the airspace in the Turnberry area.
‘We need to ensure there is a balance between protection and public safety and the public’s right to peacefully protest,’ Assistant Chief Constable Mark Williams said.
‘With that in mind and on this occasion we are unable to grant permission for the balloon to fly in that area, however we are in discussion with the applicants about possible alternatives,’ he added.
‘I used to love London as a city. I haven’t been there in a long time. But when they make you feel unwelcome, why would I stay there?’ he said to The Sun.
Around 9,000 people signed a petition urging authorities in Scotland to grant the same permission for Turnberry as in London
Although he may not be a fan of the blimp, it looks like it’ll be following him as he ventures to Scotland later this week
Protesters are planning to transport the balloon to Scotland overnight to fly it at Trump’s Turnberry golf course, where he is set to play on Saturday
The balloon rose over Parliament Square in central London as part of the protests against the president’s visit
Campaigners plan to transport the 20ft high caricature blimp north of the border after flying it over central London as Donald Trump begins his visit to the UK. They had hoped to fly it over the South Ayrshire golf resort on Saturday to coincide with the president’s visit there
Sadiq Khan defended his approval of the giant ‘baby Trump’ blimp flying above London during the visit by the US President
The city’s Mayor has come under fire after his Greater London Authority approved plans by protesters to fly the balloon in the centre of London during a demonstration against Mr Trump’s visit
Mr Khan insisted there is freedom of speech and freedom to protest in the UK and he could not act as a ‘censor’
‘I guess when they put out blimps to make me feel unwelcome, no reason for me to go to London,’ Trump added.
He proceeded to throw jabs at Mayor Khan, not only for allowing the baby blimp to fly above protests in London that are set to take place this week during his stay, but also for his criticism on Trump’s travel ban on citizens from predominately Muslim countries, according to USA Today.
‘You have a mayor who has done a terrible job in London. He has done a terrible job. Take a look at the terrorism that is taking place. Look at what is going on in London,’ Trump said.
‘He might not like the current president, but I represent the United States,’ he added.
Piers Morgan asked the mayor if he would have endorsed a giant black baby blimp of Barack Obama in protest during his presidency, or an image depicting Mr Khan as a pig despite that being offensive to Muslims
The 20ft (6m) high inflatable, dubbed ‘Trump baby’, has been granted permission to rise above Parliament Square Gardens for two hours this morning
Mr Khan said he supported the decision taken by the Greater London Authority, adding that it was not for him to be a ‘censor’
Mr Khan and the American leader have engaged in a long-running war of words over issues like crime and terrorism
It is believed that more than 50,000 take to the streets of the capital to protest against the President’s visit
Mr Trump’s schedule will largely keep him out of central London and it seems unlikely that the US president will come close enough to Westminster to see the blimp
Mr Khan said it was important that the UK could be ‘candid’ with the US as a close ally, saying ‘that’s how special relationships work’
Upwards of 10,000 police officers will be deployed to keep the US commander-in-chief and his wife Melania away from trouble during his visit
Its appearance in central London was controversially approved by the Greater London Authority
Matthew Butcher, an anti-Trump campaigner and one of the ‘babysitters’ of the balloon, said: ‘I think that the thing that the Trump balloon does is that it brings an element of fun to the protests, but it also gets under Donald Trump’s very thin skin.’
The balloon, which depicts the American leader as an angry infant wearing a nappy and clutching a mobile phone
The nappy-clad balloon, with a quiff of hair and a mobile phone for tweeting, is to soar over the Houses of Parliament
The ‘Baby Trump’ balloon is pictured here being inflated in London’s Parliament Square
Police Scotland said that protesters are not allowed to fly the balloon at the estate during the president’s visit
Sadiq Khan hits back at Trump’s jibe that he has done ‘a very bad job’ protecting London from terrorism saying the US president has NOT criticised mayors of other cities targeted by extremists
Sadiq Khan hit back at Donald Trump today after the US president accused him of doing a ‘very bad job’ on terrorism and crime.
The London Mayor questioned why he was being ‘singled out’ after Mr Trump renewed their feud in bombshell comments during his UK visit.
The president said Mr Khan was failing to tackle extremism and crime in the city – blaming high levels of immigration.
But Mr Khan said other major cities had suffered terror attacks, and asked why Mr Trump was ‘making it about me’.
‘He criticised the mayor of London – me personally – for the terror attacks we had last year. But the evil of terrorism has been grappled with in Manchester, Berlin, Paris, Nice,’ he told ITV’s Good Morning Britain.
‘Why has he singled me out?’
Mr Trump has clashed with the Labour mayor repeatedly in the past, including over his administration’s visa policy and most recently over Khan’s decision to allow a gigantic Trump blimp to fly over London.
Sadiq Khan hit back at Donald Trump today after the US president accused him of doing a ‘very bad job’ on terrorism and crime
Speaking on the eve of his visit to Britain yesterday, the president (left with Melania in London) said Khan (right) was doing a ‘terrible job’ in the capital by allowing migrants to flock to the city
Protesters gathered at the security fence watch as US President Donald Trump and US First Lady Melania Trump leave in Marine One from the US ambassador’s residence, Winfield House
Speaking to The Sun, Trump said: ‘Take a look at the terrorism that is taking place. Look at what is going on in London. I think he has done a very bad job on terrorism.’
He added: ‘I think he has done a bad job on crime, if you look, all of the horrible things going on there, with all of the crime that is being brought in.’
London was devastated by four terror attacks last year – at Westminster, London Bridge, Parsons Green and Finsbury Park.
Trump also accused Mr Khan, who is muslim, of failing to show respect for the world’s wealthiest and most powerful nation.
Trump also accused Khan of failing to show respect for the world’s wealthiest and most powerful nation. Pictured: Trump being greeted at Blenheim Palace yesterday
US President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump are welcomed at Blenheim Palace by Britain Prime Minister Theresa May and her husband Philip May
‘I think he has not been hospitable to a government that is very important,’ he said. ‘Now he might not like the current president, but I represent the United States.
‘I also represent a lot of people in Europe because a lot of people from Europe are in the United States.’
A source close to Khan told The Sun that it is the responsibility of the Home Office to determine London’s migration policy, as well as that of the UK as a whole.
Mr Khan said the Prime Minister should not be afraid to challenge the Republican property mogul, who also provoked anger by criticising her Brexit plans and praising her rival, Boris Johnson, as having the ability to be a ‘great prime minister’.
‘I’m quite clear that both the UK and the US have a special relationship that means we stand shoulder to shoulder at times of adversity,’ the Labour mayor said.
Tottenham MP Mr Lammy said the president knows full well that Mr Khan is not responsible for the attacks
‘But at times where we think the other side is not meeting the high standards we expect of each other we shouldn’t be afraid of calling them out – that’s like having a best mate.’
He added: ‘I think our Prime Minister should have the confidence to speak to the US President on equal terms and it’s for President Trump to say what he wants about me; I’m not going to rise to President Trump’s views.’
Tottenham MP Mr Lammy said the president knows full well that Mr Khan is not responsible for the attacks.
‘I will call it like it is. The real reason Trump blames my friend @SadiqKhan for the terror attacks last year is simple,’ he tweeted.
‘He hates that London chose a Muslim mayor. The President is racist. He does not deserve to meet our Queen today #StopTrump.’
Britain is ‘losing its culture’ because of immigration and ‘it’s never going to be what it was’ if politicians don’t ‘act soon’ says Trump
President Donald Trump has warned Britain that it is ‘losing its culture’ by allowing ‘millions and millions’ of people to move to the continent.
He said that mass migration has changed Europe in a negative way – and that without quick action, it will never be the same again.
It comes after the continent’s migration crisis has made headlines yet again this year as hundreds of thousands of people – mostly from Africa and the Middle East – make dangerous journeys to reach Europe illegally.
Trump said that mass migration has changed Europe in a negative way – and that without quick action, it will never be the same again. Pictured: Migrants off the coast of Libya in 2015 at the height of the migration crisis
US President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump are welcomed at Blenheim Palace by Britain Prime Minister Theresa May and her husband Philip May
Speaking to The Sun in Brussels before coming to Britain yesterday, Mr Trump said: ‘I think what has happened to Europe is a shame. Allowing the immigration to take place in Europe is a shame.
He added: ‘I think it changed the fabric of Europe and, unless you act very quickly, it’s never going to be what it was and I don’t mean that in a positive way. So I think allowing millions and millions of people to come into Europe is very, very sad.
‘I think you are losing your culture. Look around. You go through certain areas that didn’t exist ten or 15 years ago.’
He also said that crime was being ‘brought in’ to London and criticised Sadiq Khan – with whom he has clashed several times already – over his failure to prevent it.
Mr Trump said: ‘I think what has happened to Europe is a shame. Allowing the immigration to take place in Europe is a shame.’ Pictured: Thousands of migrants move through Slovenia at the height of the migration crisis in 2015
The president added that he has ‘great love’ for European countries – particularly because he is ‘essentially a product of the European Union’.
That is because his mother was Scottish and father was of German ancestry.