It is proven that three things fascinate Donald Trump the most: luxury, power and flattery.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He will be offered these in abundance this two-day visit to Britain, during his historic – as unprecedented – second (after 2019) official visit, accompanied by the “first lady” Melania, following a royal invitation – in this case from King Charles III – and with unprecedented honors for a foreign leader.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Under draconian security measures and far from anti-American demonstrations, the US presidential couple will spend the first day of the visit behind the enclosed walls of Windsor Castle, in southern England, with royal grandeur and a state dinner.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
But the main “menu” is Thursday’s meeting with Keir Starmer, who is being criticized everywhere within his country, at the British Prime Minister’s country residence in Chequers, in southeast England.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Dressed in royal charm, as a lever for exercising soft power, Starmer’s goal is to portray Britain and himself personally as a reliable ally of the US on the international stage and a “bridge builder” with a rearming and geopolitically “vertigo” Europe.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
This, amidst fundamental bilateral differences, a spiraling government crisis in London and the rise of the pro-Trump far right in Britain.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
That said, Starmer is banking on Trump’s royally “gold-plated” visit for bilateral economic agreements worth over $10 billion, in addition to the trade agreement with Washington amid the tariff wars of the Trump 2.0 era.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
They focus on three pillars: technology, nuclear energy and the defense industry, with the aim of creating new jobs and long-term reductions in energy prices, amid a cost-of-living crisis and escalating questions about Starmer\u2019s leadership.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI\u2019m getting off my chest\u201d\u2026 the \u201cE\u201d word!<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Under different circumstances \u2013 as was the case last February, when Starmer was teasing Trump, handing him King Charles\u2019s \u201cgolden\u201d invitation to the White House \u2013 the US president\u2019s visit would have been a first-class public relations opportunity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Now, however, it is even being questioned whether it can function as a political distraction, either way.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The murder of pro-Trump podcaster and influencer Charlie Kirk has given Trump a \u201chandle\u201d for further militarization in the US, now in the name of what the White House calls \u201cdomestic terrorism\u201d from the \u201cfar left\u201d, combined with his rhetoric about freedom of expression at will.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Elements of the British far right have already made a show of force in London, with the techno-oligarchy and former Trump \u201csidekick\u201d, Elon Musk, calling for the overthrow of the centre-left Labour government.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Although Starmer condemned the statements, he is now facing increasing pressure within his party to do more – among many other things – against the growing nationalist sentiment in Britain, which is fuelled by Trumpism and has sent the polls soaring for former \u201cMr. Brexit\u201d Nigel Farage\u2019s Reform UK party.<\/p>\n\n\n\n However, the biggest shadow on this otherwise historic visit is, unfortunately, cast by the Jeffrey Epstein scandal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n While it has haunted Trump\u2019s second presidency, causing cracks in his MAGA base, it has also sparked a political uproar in London, following the recent dismissal of the new UK ambassador to the US, Peter Mandelson, due to the revelation of his close friendship with the late sex offender.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In fact, shortly before the US presidential plane landed in London on Tuesday night, the Mandelson case was the subject of fierce political debate in an emergency sitting of the House of Commons, raising new questions about Starmer\u2019s political longevity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Even the Charles-Trump meeting is meanwhile overshadowed by the Epstein scandal, due to the involvement of Prince Andrew, the brother of the British monarch.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Between decay and incorruption<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n When visiting Britain, Donald Trump intends to be the perfect guest and plans to avoid anything too controversial during his stay in Britain.<\/p>\n\n\n\n He has been looking forward to inspecting the guard at Windsor Castle for months and does not want anything to spoil it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Moreover, although he is not a typical politician, what he recognizes is loyalty and criticism. For this, he wants to be lenient with Starmer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n He did the same during their recent, informal meeting in Scotland, as part of Trump’s private visit, last July.<\/p>\n\n\n\n This time his stance will be seen in substance at the joint press conference scheduled for Thursday afternoon, which concludes the state visit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n No one can predict how the unpredictable American president will react to uncomfortable questions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Opponents of his visit to Britain, meanwhile, accuse the Starmer government of legitimizing a leader who has fueled division, weakened democratic norms and dismissed the urgency of climate change.<\/p>\n\n\n\n But whatever one thinks of Trump personally, he remains a crucial ally for Britain on trade, defense and global security.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Even within Labor, however, fewer and fewer believe that Britain will be the winner in this Anglo-Saxon \u201cspecial relationship.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Even more are expressing doubts about whether Sir Keir Starmer will remain in power before the Trump 2.0 era in the US comes to an end.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" It is proven that three things fascinate Donald Trump the most: luxury, power and flattery. 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