‘It’s a chance for him to reflect and learn’
BY JON HEBDITCH AND SALLY HIND
A SCOT who fought plans by Donald Trump to build a golf courses next to his house says he hopes the president “learns something” from his battle with coronavirus.
David Milne became a Trump target when the tycoon began planning his selfproclaimed “world’s greatest golf course” at Menie links, near Balmedie, Aberdeenshire, in 2006.
Trump was accused of bullying locals who didn’t want to sell their land for the course, with David refusing to budge.
When Trump visited Menie during his bid for the presidency a decade later, David flew a Mexican flag from his house to show support for people Trump had “insulted”.
Yesterday, the 55-year-old said: “I really hope he uses a period of illness to reflect and maybe learn something for once.
“I can’t wish him well but I can’t wish him badly either, that’s just not who I am.
“I’m sure he will find some way to make it politically useful. He thinks he is allowed to do what he likes and I don’t think he likes the reaction he has had from Scotland.
“He doesn’t seem to value anyone but himself personally, and I think that even goes for his family members and wife. It just seems that he is the same arrogant bully as before but now he’s president.”
Aberdeenshire Green councillor Martin Ford, who fought a protracted battle to stop the course opening in 2012 over fears of the natural habitat, added: “Mr Trump has not been taking proper precautions. He has been making reckless statements about the risks of the virus and the wearing of masks and generally not following proper scientific advice.
“Whether he has the virus or not, my hope for the election is Mr Trump loses.
“His behaviour in the north-east of Scotland is absolutely how he has behaved in office.”
On Lewis in the Western Isles, where
Councillor Martin Ford
Trump has relations through his late mum Mary Anne Trump, there was concern for the president but also a warning he should have taken precautions.
A pal of Trump’s extended family, SNP councillor John Maciver, said he was “not surprised” to hear the news yesterday.
He said: “You don’t wish ill health to anyone. I just hope he gets over it.
“It will be interesting to see what will happen. If it gets worse than it is, what happens to the election? But I’m not surprised as he doesn’t take proper precautions. He never wears his mask.
“I’m sure the island would wish him well. We don’t hold any grudges and welcome everybody here with open arms and we’d like to see him here again one day.”