'Hypocrite' John Swinney hands £180k golf sweetener to Trump as storm rages over the First Minister 'whipping up' anti-Trump protests
The First Minister was accused of offering the 'cynical sweetener' to the US President just days after he was roundly criticised for 'whipping up' anti-Trump protests ahead of his four-day trip to Scotland.
Mr Swinney – who has called for Mr Trump's State visit to the UK in September to be cancelled – told activists hoping to disrupt the President's trip to 'do Scotland proud' and 'demonstrate lawfully'.
However, on Saturday – as Mr Swinney prepared to meet with the President – the Scottish Government rushed out an announcement of funding for a showpiece golf event at one of Mr Trump's courses in Aberdeenshire.
One source told MailOnline: 'The Scottish Government was alarmed at the way Mr Swinney's comments on protests were portrayed, and were desperate to achieve a positive narrative before the two meet.'
The last-minute cash injection is for the 2025 Nexo Championship which takes place at the Trump International Golf Links in Aberdeenshire between August 7-10.
MailOnline understands the funding announcement for the DP World Tour event was due to be made on Tuesday, but was brought forward to distract the White House from Mr Swinney's protest comments.
Critics warned the First Minister to 'start acting like a grown-up in his dealings with the President'.
The President of the United States was spotted enjoying a game of golf at Turnberry on Saturday
Tory MSP Murdo Fraser said: ' John Swinney 's disgracefully condemned President Trump's State visit, and then talked up protests while claiming to welcome him to Scotland.
'Now he's announced that his government is giving money to a golf course owned by the President.
'That rare support for tourism from the SNP is welcome, but many will see it as a hypocritical and cynical sweetener.
'The First Minister must start acting like a grown-up in his dealings with the President and advance Scotland's interests rather than trying to appease the childish hostility of his own supporters.'
The row comes as:
- Mr Trump was spotted enjoying a round of golf at his Turnberry course in Ayrshire on Saturday.
- Sir Keir Starmer is hoping to discuss trade, a ceasefire in Gaza and the war in Ukraine in a meeting with the President on Monday.
- Major anti-Trump protests took place in Aberdeen and Edinburgh with officers from other forces brought in to help Police Scotland.
Referencing the £180,000 boost, Mr Swinney said: 'The Scottish Government recognises the benefits of golf and golf events, including boosting tourism and our economy.
'As the home of golf, we have a long-standing track record of support and I am proud this funding will further enhance Aberdeenshire's reputation as a leading golfing destination.'
A Scottish Government spokesman added: 'With the eyes of the world on Scotland, this funding was announced to further raise the profile of Aberdeenshire.'
The announcement comes as Mr Swinney's team are said to have been 'alarmed' after his protest comments were 'misinterpreted'.
The SNP leader was accused of 'playing to the gallery' by claiming Mr Trump's visit gave Scotland 'a platform to make its voice heard on war and peace, justice and democracy'.
On Thursday he said: 'I am confident the vast majority of people protesting will do Scotland proud and demonstrate as they should – peacefully and lawfully.'
The Scottish Police Federation (SPF), which represents rank and file officers, blasted Mr Swinney for 'appearing to welcome protest', while the Scottish Conservatives said Mr Swinney should 'not engage in this dog-whistle attempt at whipping up protest'.
SPF general secretary David Kennedy said: 'It is important to remember that it will fall to Scotland's under-resourced officers to maintain peace throughout this high-profile event.'
A huge security operation is in place to keep Mr Trump safe with almost a third of Police Scotland's manpower deployed to the task.
Mr Swinney's olive branch comes despite his previous robust criticism of the US President.
After Mr Trump clashed with Ukraine's President Zelensky in February, the First Minister urged the UK Government to cancel the State visit later this year.
But after landing Airport on Friday, President Trump appeared unfazed by Mr Swinney's views.
He said: 'I have a lot of love [for Scotland], my mother was born in Scotland. The Scottish leader's a good man and I look forward to meeting him.'
Mr Swinney has pledged to use his meeting with Mr Trump in the coming days as an opportunity to 'speak out for Scotland' on international issues such as Gaza, as well as promoting Scotland's trading links with the United States.
The Prime Minister, meanwhile, will use his talks with Mr Trump to seek to build on the new trade deal agreed with the USA in May.
The MoS understands he will also discuss a ceasefire in Gaza and the war in Ukraine.
Mr Trump said his talks with Sir Keir will be a 'celebration' of the US/UK trade deal. He said: 'We are going to have a good time, the Prime Minister and I get along very well.'
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