Trump creates chaos in London
SATURDAY, JULY 14, 2018 US President Donald Trump received a pomp-filled welcome ceremony in London, which was soon overshadowed by an interview in which he blasted Prime Minister Theresa May and argued that Europe was “losing its culture” because of immigration.
Mr Trump told The Sun newspaper he felt unwelcome because of protests, including plans to fly a blimp over Parliament that depicts him as an angry baby in a diaper.
Mr Trump, in the interview given before he left the NATO meeting in Brussels for the UK, accused Ms May of ruining what her country stands to gain from the Brexit vote to leave the EU.
He said Ms May’s “soft” blueprint for the UK’s future dealings with the EU would probably “kill” any future trade deals with the US.
“The deal she is striking is a much different deal than the one the people voted on,” Mr Trump said.
He also said Ms May had ignored advice he had shared with her during Britain’s negotiations with the EU.
The President also claimed Europe was “losing its culture” because of immigration from the Middle East and Africa.
“Allowing the immigration to take place in Europe is a sham,” he said.
He also criticised London Mayor Sadiq Khan. Mr Khan, who is a Muslim, had given protesters permission to fly the Trump baby blimp.
Such protests made Mr Trump feel unwelcome, he told the newspaper.
Details from Mr Trump’s interview became public as he and the First Lady were attending a black-tie dinner with Ms May. It was held at Blenheim Palace, the birthplace of Sir Winston Churchill.
On Thursday night, hundreds of demonstrators chanted outside the US ambassador’s residence where Mr Trump was staying on the DONALD TRUMP outskirts of London, providing a preview of the forceful protests expected on Friday.
Mr Trump’s Marine One departure from the ambassador’s residence was met by jeers from demonstrators banging pots and pans, and another pack of protesters lined roads near the palace.
Some of their signs read “Dump Trump,” “Lock Him Up” and “There Will Be Hell Toupee.” Police worked overtime, their days off cancelled.
Mr Trump’s staff have opted to keep him largely out of central London and the swarms of demonstrators who are likely to provide some of the defining images of his first official trip to the UK.