Trump worried about embarrassing and massive protest on UK state visit - itinerary changed, here's what's planned
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US President Donald Trump's second UK state visit has been scaled back amid concerns over protests and negative optics. To avoid big protests and public embarrassment, British and American officials have worked behind the scenes to make the schedule more efficient, with a focus on Windsor instead of Westminster.He won't give a speech in Parliament or go to public events. Instead, he will go to a royal banquet in Windsor and meet with Prime Minister Keir Starmer. The goal of the trip is to avoid having more street protests and problems like those that have happened before.According to Britain's former Washington envoy Sir Kim Darroch, Donald Trump's aides pushed to protect him from the irate crowds in London during his first state visit, as per a report by the Daily Beast.The date of Trump's second state visit, and the decision to bar him from the lectern of the British House of Commons, was purely political, according to Whitehall sources who previously told The Telegraph.This was because Labour MPs threatened to leave the green benches in protest, and organizers were afraid of television footage showing a half-empty chamber and the blimp returning.Speaking to the Financial Times, Darroch, who oversaw protocol discussions for Trump's 2019 trip, now suggested that the president of the United States was aware that not much had changed from the first time, when White House planners urged him to avoid parliament and permit virtually no public interaction."That made them very happy," he said. They didn't mention that he desired to meet his devoted British audience. They were constantly aware of the possibility of humiliation, unfriendly crowds, or low attendance. Regarding Trump's first visit, he continued, "We were concerned about protesters with their enormous Trump-shaped balloon."Although a White House official previously told the Daily Beast that Trump's speech to parliament was "never expected or even discussed" this time, Darroch's remarks give some color to the recently revealed itinerary for his second state visit to Britain, which is scheduled for September 17–19.Despite being denied the parliamentary address that Trump's political rivals, such as Barack Obama, Bill Clinton, and Emmanuel Macron, enjoyed, the trip will make Trump the first American leader to be granted two state visits, according to reports on Friday.In a clever move, lawmakers will not have to debate whether the divisive world leader deserves the honor again because Westminster will be in recess during Trump's second visit.According to Darroch's 2019 leak of classified cables labeling Trump "inept," U.K. officials had alerted their counterparts to the possibility of protests in central London. During that previous visit, footage of the 20-foot "Trump Baby" blimp hovering over Whitehall became the most memorable image.This time, a state banquet with King Charles III and an itinerary limited to Windsor are intended to give Trump the royal opulence he desires without resorting to the street theater he despises, as public opinion of Trump in the United Kingdom has not changed much.Trump will meet with Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, who in February personally delivered Charles's invitation to the White House. According to a Friday Telegraph story, Downing Street is still rearranging schedules to meet with Starmer during what officials emphasize will be a deliberately low-key visit.In order to prevent new flashpoints, insiders have told the FT that an earlier side trip to his Scottish golf courses will remain "semi-private."Organizers were concerned about a backlash from lawmakers and protesters, particularly after Labour MPs threatened to boycott. The Commons will also be in recess, preventing any debate.He will attend a royal banquet with King Charles in Windsor and meet with Prime Minister Starmer. Public appearances are kept to a minimum.
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