President Trump speaks to reporters at Glasgow Prestwick Airport on July 25, 2025 in Prestwick, Scotland.
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GLASGOW, Scotland — President Trump landed in Scotland on Friday for a four-day journey anticipated to incorporate a mixture of private time and diplomacy.
Trump will spend a lot of his time in the course of the journey at his golf programs. He owns two in Scotland and is opening a 3rd. He plans to fulfill with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer in addition to European Fee President Ursula von der Leyen.
However hanging over the journey is the political firestorm about intercourse offender Jeffrey Epstein that has dominated Washington. Trump informed reporters they had been making “a really large factor over one thing that is not an enormous factor.”
“I am not targeted on conspiracy theories that you’re. I imply, I watch you individuals — it is so unhappy. You ought to speak in regards to the success of our nation as a substitute of this nonsense you discuss over and over,” he stated.
Native individuals maintain up protest indicators as President Trump’s motorcade makes its method to Turnberry Golf Course on July 25, 2025 in Prestwick, United Kingdom.
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Trump, who was as soon as mates with Epstein, is going through a backlash from supporters who need extra info launched in regards to the disgraced financier’s crimes and his 2019 loss of life by suicide in jail.
Trump has been attempting to distance himself from the Epstein controversy however he is been underneath rising stress — notably from inside his MAGA universe — to launch extra info.
Trump needs to concentrate on conferences with Starmer and von der Leyen
Forward of the journey, the White Home stated Trump and Starmer would discuss “refine” a commerce settlement that lowered U.S. tariffs on British vehicles to 10%. However Trump downplayed the likelihood that there could be adjustments to the deal.
“I believe it is extra of a celebration than a exercise” of points, Trump stated. “It is a terrific deal for each, and we will have a gathering on different issues, aside from the deal. The deal is concluded.”
On Sunday, he’ll meet von der Leyen forward of the Aug. 1 deadline for tariffs on the European Union. “We’ll be engaged on a deal — we’ll see if we make a deal,” he informed reporters, saying there was a “50-50 likelihood” of an settlement with an extended listing of sticking factors.
President Trump’s motorcade makes its method to Turnberry Golf Course on July 25, 2025 in Turnberry, United Kingdom.
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Protests are anticipated
When Trump visited Scotland in 2018 throughout his first time period as president, there have been intensive protests. This time, demonstrations are deliberate for Aberdeen and Edinburgh.
As Trump’s motorcade made its method to his golf course at Turnberry, individuals standing alongside the route held up protest indicators associated to the Epstein questions.
This week, Trump’s Deputy Lawyer Common Todd Blanche met with Epstein’s affiliate Ghislaine Maxwell, who’s serving time for intercourse trafficking. Trump stated he did not know something in regards to the conversations. “Lots of people are asking me about pardons. Clearly, that is no time to be speaking about pardons,” Trump stated.
Earlier this week, the Wall Avenue Journal reported that Lawyer Common Pam Bondi informed Trump his title was within the Epstein information in Might. NPR has not independently confirmed that reporting. Trump informed reporters on Friday that he was “by no means” briefed on it. The White Home had earlier dismissed this story, saying it is lengthy been recognized that Trump and Epstein had been mates however had a falling out years in the past.
The go to to Scotland could also be a brand new alternative to try to distance himself from the controversy, nevertheless it’s not just like the British tabloids are recognized for staying out of tales like this.
Republican pollster Jon McHenry says a lot of the journey will rely upon how Trump responds to the controversy.
“The U.Okay. media is not going to say, ‘Oh, he is on trip, I’ll depart him alone,'” stated McHenry of North Star Opinion Analysis. “It is going to be throughout. They’ll odor blood within the water.”
McHenry says this isn’t a prime challenge for many Individuals, however they do care about whether or not the White Home is holding again info — or probably protecting it up.
