Donald Trump rubs people up the wrong way because he is so Scottish, the US ambassador suggested today.
Woody Johnson said the US president’s ‘tough and argumentative’ streak came from his heritage in Scotland.
The claim came as Mr Johnson shrugged off the prospect of mass protests against Mr Trump when he visits the UK on July 13.
The trip was finally confirmed last night after months of wrangling between Downing Street and the White House.
Mr Trump was a frequent visitor to Scotland before entering the White House. He is pictured at the Menie Estate in Aberdeenshire in 2010
Theresa May, pictured in Downing Street yesterday with Azerbaijan President Ilham Aliyev, will welcome Mr Trump on July 13
Officials were thought to have been looking at whether to stage some or all of visit away from London to avoid it being marred by demonstrations.
There has been speculation Mr Trump might hold talks with Theresa May at her Chequers country retreat, and meet the Queen or other royals in either Scotland or Windsor – although it will not be a state visit.
Mr Trump’s mother, Mary MacLeod, was born on the Island of Lewis in 1912, a fishing family.
She left the island at the age of 18 for a holiday in New York, where she met a local builder by the name of Trump and decided to stay.
Mr Trump was a frequent visitor to Scotland before entering the White House.
His last trip came during the presidential campaign in June 2016, when he went to one of his golf resorts.
Mr Johnson said Mr Trump’s combative style was down to his Scottish roots and insisted he was ‘thick skinned’ enough to deal with protest.
‘He’s very thick-skinned. He knows what he wants to do and he speaks in a very clear and unusual way from most politicians,’ he said.
‘Most politicians don’t weigh it out the way he does and so he is going to get a lot of criticism for that as people interpret where he is taking everything.
‘But I think in the end, people are starting to, even now, realise that where he is going is a good direction.’
Mr Johnson added: ‘The Scots are tough and argumentative. All the things he brings to the table to the American people come from Scotland.’
Asked about the idea that Mr Trump’s abrasive style was a Scottish trait, a Downing Street spokesman said: ‘We recognise the excellent characteristics of the Scottish people and the contribution they make to the UK as a whole.’
Mr Trump’s visit to the UK was finally confirmed last night after months of wrangling between Downing Street and the White House
US ambassador Woody Johnson (pictured) denied Mr Trump will avoid the capital – insisting he is ‘thick skinned’ enough to deal with the threat of mass demonstrations