John Swinney schmoozed Donald Trump days after ‘whipping up' protests over president's Scots visit
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JOHN Swinney schmoozed Donald Trump as the US President ended his trip to Scotland — days after 'whipping up' protests over it.
The First Minister said the pair had enjoyed a 'pleasant' dinner and swapped gifts ahead of the opening of Mr Trump's new Aberdeenshire golf course today.
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The US president left behind previous rows as he hailed the First Minister as 'terrific' and 'a special guy'
Credit: Getty
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John Swinney schmoozed Donald Trump as the US President ended his trip to Scotland
Credit: PA
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Ambassador Warren Stephens and First Minister John Swinney at the New Course
Credit: PA
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Donald Trump waved as he boarded Air Force One at RAF Lossiemouth today
Credit: Getty
Before jetting off on Air Force One, Mr Trump said of the SNP leader, who dubbed himself Full-on John: 'He's a very special guy.'
The pair revealed their unlikely bromance after bonding at a posh dinner where they chewed over hot political topics — plus beef and langoustines.
The US president, in a cheery mood at the opening of his latest Scots golf course, left behind previous rows as he hailed the First Minister as 'terrific' and 'a special guy'.
And the SNP supremo told how he'd forged a 'positive relationship' with the US leader after 'perfectly courteous' talks on whisky tariffs and aid for starving kids in Gaza.
He also revealed they'd enjoyed a 'very pleasant' private chat.
There had been fears the pair's first meeting at the Menie Estate in Aberdeenshire would be awkward after Mr Swinney publicly backed Mr Trump's rival Kamala Harris in last year's presidential election.
And last week the First Minister was accused of whipping up demos when he called on those planning to protest against the five-day private visit to 'do Scotland proud'.
But there was no sign of any lingering resentment as the President singled out Mr Swinney and showered him with praise at the glitzy ceremony in Balmedie.
While addressing an audience of VIPs beside the first tee of his new 18-hole links, Mr Trump gestured to the First Minister to stand up in the temporary grandstand.
He then said: 'John Swinney is a terrific guy. He loves golf and he loves the people of this country.
Donald Trump's Secret Service probes major security breach on Scotland visit after attempt to smuggle person onto plane
'And we really appreciate it. He's a very special guy.'
The glowing praise followed a short official meeting between the two politicians this morning.
And the night before they had been seen in 'deep conversation' for more than an hour while seated together at a banquet-style dinner at the Trump International resort.
Guests enjoyed a seafood starter of langoustine, followed by a beef main course then a trio of desserts featuring Scottish fruits.
GOLF SWIPE
By Conor Matchett
JOHN Swinney rejected claims £180,000 in taxpayer cash for a golf tournament at Donald Trump's Aberdeenshire course was an attempt to 'butter up' the US President.
The First Minister was forced to defend the decision to spend the sum to help support the Nexo Championship in Scotland next month.
Asked if it was an effort to 'butter up' Mr Trump, he said: 'No, I think what I was trying to do is to make sure that a tournament that was coming to Scotland could be properly promoted.'
Sources said Mr Swinney came good on his vow to raise awkward 'critical' issues with Mr Trump.
They included his ten per cent import tariffs on Scotch, which are hammering the whisky industry, plus the desperate crisis in Gaza.
The Nats boss also buttered up the golf-mad tycoon by showing him snaps of his 14-year-old son Matthew playing the sport.
And in an exchange of gifts, Mr Swinney presented Mr Trump with a framed 1921 census form showing the entry for his late mum Mary Anne MacLeod plus a historic map of the Isle of Lewis, where she was born.
In return, the President gave the First Minister a figurine of bald eagle, the US national emblem.
Other guests at Monday night's private dinner included PM Sir Keir Starmer — who had earlier flown from Ayrshire with Mr Trump on his Air Force One jet — and Scots golf legend Colin Montgomerie.
After the ceremony, Mr Swinney was quizzed over his dealings with the controversial visitor.
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Donald Trump and Prime Minister Keir Starmer on Air Force One
Credit: The White House
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Other guests at Monday night's private dinner included Scots golf legend Colin Montgomerie
Credit: Getty
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The First Minister was accused of whipping up demos against Trump
Credit: Getty
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Donald Trump with sons Eric Trump and Donald Trump Jr
Credit: Reuters
It was suggested he had previously been seen as a 'Trump sceptic', with one reporter asking: 'Has he won you over?'
The SNP boss replied: 'I have a job to do, which is to use every opportunity to protect and promote the interests of Scotland.
'Obviously, I've had a very extensive opportunity in the course of the last 24 hours or so to engage with the President of the United States to set out issues that matter to people in Scotland, domestically and internationally.
'And I've used that opportunity to raise issues around, for example, trade and tariffs, particularly the effect on Scots whisky.
'Also international issues around Gaza and Ukraine — and especially on the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, where I implored the President to use his influence.'
ANAS' BIZ BOOST VOW
By Conor Matchett
ANAS Sarwar pledged to build closer links with Donald Trump's businesses if Labour wins next year's Holyrood election.
The party's Scots chief claimed the US leader's resorts have been hamstrung by SNP policies.
After meeting Trump International boss Sarah Malone, he said: 'They have not always felt as if Scotland is a good place to do business.'
He admitted to having many 'political disagreements' with the American but added: 'He does genuinely have an affinity and love for Scotland.
'If we can harness that then that is a positive in terms of economic outcomes.'
Lib Dem MP Susan Murray urged Mr Trump to drop 'damaging' whisky tariffs.
Mr Swinney was asked about critics in his own party and beyond who claimed he should not have agreed to meet Mr Trump.
Last week Scots Green co-leader Patrick Harvie branded his decision as 'tragic' and 'out of step with Scotland's values'.
But Mr Swinney insisted: 'I think people in Scotland would generally think that if I, as First Minister of Scotland, have an opportunity to protect and promote the interests of Scotland to the President of the US, I should take that opportunity.'
The Nats chief sought to play down any suggestions of cosiness, explaining that he'd 'had a perfectly courteous set of discussions with President Trump'.
Asked if their relationship was warm, he replied: 'I think we've got a positive relationship, yes.'
Mr Swinney added: 'I was sitting alongside the President. The Prime Minister was sitting on the other side of the President.'
He said everyone sat at the table had chatted, adding: 'The majority of the discussion was privately between the President and myself — and it was very pleasant.'
The First Minister also revealed: 'I took the opportunity to show President Trump a photo of my son playing golf on Tiree a few weeks ago. He commented that my son has a beautiful swing — which my son was very pleased to hear about.'
TAX 'RIGGED' AGAINST OIL
DONALD Trump blasted Sir Keir Starmer's windfall taxes on North Sea oil — insisting the resource is a 'treasure chest for the United Kingdom'.
He wrote on his Truth Social network: 'The taxes are so high that it makes no sense. They have essentially told drillers and oil companies, 'We don't want you'.
'Incentivize the drillers, fast. A vast fortune to be made for the UK, and far lower energy costs for the people!'
FM John Swinney said Mr Trump had handed a dossier on oil and gas taxes during their breakfast meeting, but stressed such taxes were not under his control.
Mr Trump had earlier praised Aberdeen as the oil capital of Europe and branded wind turbines 'ugly monsters'.
Mr Swinney said: 'I expressed the view that we have about priorities on renewable energy."
Mr Swinney claimed his meet-up with Mr Trump could end up boosting our whisky industry, which is facing the prospect of forking out an additional £4million a week to export our national drink to the US, due to ten per cent tariffs.
He said: 'I was trying to encourage the President to look at the possibility of an exception for Scotch whisky. He concluded our discussions this morning by saying to me that I should follow up the issues that we had discussed.'
The First Minister explained he'd already taken the issue 'forward' with the US Ambassador, Warren Stephens — who he sat next to at yesterday's golf course opening.
He added: 'My team will be following this up in due course.'
Asked if he is now confident that there will be an exemption for Scotch or a reduction on whisky tariffs, Mr Swinney said it was 'too early to predict that'.
On Monday, President Trump had appeared not to know there was an issue with our national drink when asked about it ahead of a meeting with the Prime Minister.
He told Sir Keir: 'We'll talk about that. I didn't know whisky was a problem.'
This afternoon Mr Trump enjoyed a round at his new course before beginning his journey home.
He was flown from Menie to the RAF base at Lossiemouth, Moray, in his Marine One helicopter.
The US president then walked with his grandkids Chloe, 11, and Spencer, 12, to board Air Force One for the flight back to the States.
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Trump walks with his grandchildren Chloe and Spencer to board Air Force One
Credit: AFP
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