Trump derides protests in London as ‘fake news’
President derides protests as ‘fake news’
Thousands of demonstrators Tuesday showed their discontent with President Donald Trump’s state visit to Britain.
– Thousands of demonstrators Tuesday showed their discontent with President Donald Trump’s state visit to Britain as they marched with placards, in costumes and with unusual depictions of the president that mixed anger with humor.
The protest route ran from London’s Trafalgar Square, past No. 10 Downing St. – Prime Minister Theresa May’s official office and residence – and on to Parliament Square, a large open green space across the street from the British Parliament.
Marchers expressed opposition to the Trump administration on issues from climate change and abortion rights, to its disregard for multilateral agreements and its aggressive rhetoric toward Iran. Many protestors described Trump as an ill-disciplined bully.
“He’s just mean,” said Rachel Hawkins, 30, a Londoner who works in finance.
Trump was in Britain for three days as part of a spectacle-and-ceremony-laden visit aimed at reaffirming the “special relationship” between Britain and the U.S. that has grown out of close cooperation through wars, terrorist attacks and economic and cultural ties.
Trump said he saw only a handful of protesters as he traveled through the streets of London, but that is because of the way British police placed security barriers. Most of the demonstrators were out of his sight.
“There were thousands of people cheering,” said the president. “I don’t see any protests. I did see a small protest today, very small. So, a lot of it is fake news, I hate to say.”
Although there did not appear to be as many protesters as when the president visited Britain in July, the highlight for some was, again, a 20-foot-tall inflatable balloon, known as Trump Baby. It depicts the White House occupant as a diaper-wearing baby holding a mobile phone. It has a scowl on its face. The blimp was hoisted above Parliament Square on Tuesday.
Making nice at the end, Trump eased up on his frequent criticisms of May over her handling of the Brexit deal, declaring that history will remember her fondly if the United Kingdom can sucLONDON cessfully leave the European Union.
The president’s unexpected compliments for May come just days before she was set to resign the leadership of her party after failing to secure a Brexit deal. She will depart as prime minister once her successor has been chosen.
“I have greatly enjoyed working with you. You are a tremendous professional and a person who loves her country very much,” Trump told May at a news conference.
Trump said he would have “sued and settled, maybe, but you never know. She’s probably a better negotiator than I am.” And he added that the deal May came away with was a good one and “perhaps you won’t be given the credit you deserve.”