President Trump speaks to reporters at Glasgow Prestwick Airport on July 25, 2025 in Prestwick, Scotland.
Andrew Harnik/Getty Photographs Europe
conceal caption
toggle caption
Andrew Harnik/Getty Photographs Europe
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 throughout 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 have been making “a very big thing over something that’s not a big thing.”
“I’m not focused on conspiracy theories that you are. I mean, I watch you people — it’s so sad. You ought to talk about the success of our country instead of this nonsense you talk about over and over again,” he mentioned.
Native folks maintain up protest indicators as President Trump’s motorcade makes its solution to Turnberry Golf Course on July 25, 2025 in Prestwick, United Kingdom.
Andrew Harnik//Getty Photographs Europe
conceal caption
toggle caption
Andrew Harnik//Getty Photographs Europe
Trump, who was as soon as pals with Epstein, is dealing with a backlash from supporters who need extra data launched in regards to the disgraced financier’s crimes and his 2019 demise by suicide in jail.
Trump has been making an attempt to distance himself from the Epstein controversy however he is been underneath growing stress — significantly from inside his MAGA universe — to launch extra data.
Trump desires to give attention to conferences with Starmer and von der Leyen
Forward of the journey, the White Home mentioned Trump and Starmer would discuss how one can “refine” a commerce settlement that lowered U.S. tariffs on British automobiles to 10%. However Trump downplayed the likelihood that there could be adjustments to the deal.
“I think it’s more of a celebration than a workout” of points, Trump mentioned. “It’s a great deal for both, and we’re going to have a meeting on other things, other than 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 working on a deal — we’ll see if we make a deal,” he informed reporters, saying there was a “50-50 chance” of an settlement with an extended record of sticking factors.
President Trump’s motorcade makes its solution to Turnberry Golf Course on July 25, 2025 in Turnberry, United Kingdom.
Andrew Harnik/Getty Photographs Europe
conceal caption
toggle caption
Andrew Harnik/Getty Photographs Europe
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 solution to his golf course at Turnberry, folks standing alongside the route held up protest indicators associated to the Epstein questions.
This week, Trump’s Deputy Legal professional Normal Todd Blanche met with Epstein’s affiliate Ghislaine Maxwell, who’s serving time for intercourse trafficking. Trump mentioned he did not know something in regards to the conversations. “A lot of people are asking me about pardons. Obviously, this is no time to be talking about pardons,” Trump mentioned.
Earlier this week, the Wall Avenue Journal reported that Legal professional Normal Pam Bondi informed Trump his title was within the Epstein recordsdata in Could. NPR has not independently confirmed that reporting. Trump informed reporters on Friday that he was “never” briefed on it. The White Home had earlier dismissed this story, saying it is lengthy been recognized that Trump and Epstein had been pals 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, however 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 depend upon how Trump responds to the controversy.
“The U.K. media isn’t going to say, ‘Oh, he’s on vacation, I’m going to leave him alone,'” mentioned McHenry of North Star Opinion Analysis. “It’s going to be all over. They’re going to smell blood in the water.”
McHenry says this isn’t a high challenge for many People, however they do care about whether or not the White Home is holding again data — or doubtlessly protecting it up.
