Donald Trump faces a “truly massive demonstration” when he jets to the UK on Air Force One for a second state visit.
Campaigners issued the warning as the freewheeling US President suggested a date for September is being set for him to meet the King. Mr Trump said he was a “friend of Charles” and had “great respect” for the monarch when quizzed by reporters in the Oval Office.
The red-carpet was previously rolled out for the Republican leader with a grand UK state visit – hosted by the late Queen – during his first term in 2019. Mr Trump said on Thursday evening he did not “know how it can be bigger than the last one” but that “they say it’s going to be even more important”.
Thousands protested during the event and a giant inflatable of a Trump “baby blimp” – showing the US President wearing a nappy – was flown over Parliament Square. On Friday the campaign group Stop Trump Coalition pledged to meet his next visit to the UK with “huge numbers” out on the streets.
They said in a statement: “Donald Trump is not welcome in Britain. We will build the broadest possible alliance for a truly massive demonstration against his visit. During his first term, we mobilised hundreds of thousands of people against Trump.
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“This time it will be even bigger, uniting campaigners across a huge range of issues. The UK government should not roll out the red carpet for Trump or do dirty deals with him.”
Keir Starmer handed Mr Trump what he described as a “truly historic” personal invitation from the King for a second state visit when he visited the White House in February. During the pair’s first official face-to-face meeting, the US President, who has since slapped massive tariffs on UK goods, said the invite would be an “honour”.
Speaking on Thursday, he appeared to let slip the rough date before Buckingham Palace. “I was invited by the King and the country – great country,” Mr Trump said. “They’re going to do a second, as you know, a second fest… that’s what it is: a fest, and it’s beautiful, and it’s the first time it’s ever happened to one person.
“And the reason is we have two separate terms, and it’s an honour… I’m a friend of Charles, I have great respect for King Charles and the family, William, we have really just a great respect for the family. And I think they’re setting a date for September.”
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