Latest news with #WarrenStephens
SBS Australia
4 days ago
- Politics
- SBS Australia
'Get oot': Donald Trump plays golf as angry Scots protest visit
US President Donald Trump played golf under tight security on the first full day of a visit to Scotland, as hundreds of protesters took to the streets in major cities. Trump played at his Turnberry resort on the southwest coast of Scotland with son Eric and the US ambassador to the UK, Warren Stephens, waving to photographers. He arrived in his mother's birth country on Friday evening local time. His presence has turned the picturesque and normally quiet area into a virtual fortress, with roads closed and police checkpoints in place. Police officers — some on quad bikes and others on foot with sniffer dogs — patrolled the famous course and the sandy beaches and grass dunes that flank it. Secret Service snipers were positioned at vantage points while some other golfers on the course were patted down by security personnel. Donald Trump was spotted playing golf at one of his Scottish properties ahead of official meetings. Source: PA / Robert Perry The 79-year-old Trump touched down Friday at nearby Prestwick Airport as hundreds of onlookers came out to see Air Force One and catch a glimpse of its famous passenger. The president has professed a love of Scotland, but his controversial politics and business investments in the country have made for an uneasy relationship. Speaking to reporters on the tarmac, Trump immediately waded into the debate surrounding high levels of irregular migration, and lashed out at renewable energy efforts. "You better get your act together or you're not going to have Europe anymore," he said, adding that migration was "killing" the continent. "Stop the windmills. You're ruining your countries," he added. Protesters angry at Trump and Keir Starmer Trump's five-day visit, which is set to mix leisure with business and diplomacy, has divided the local community. His resort is not only well protected but it's also in a relatively remote area, meaning most protesters chose to make their voices heard in Scotland's big cities. Over on the east coast, several hundred protesters demonstrated outside the US consulate in the capital Edinburgh and further north in the city of Aberdeen, near where Trump owns another golf resort. The protests were organised by the Stop Trump Coalition, which has called on Scotland's First Minister not to attend a scheduled meeting with Trump. Participants held placards with slogans like "Scotland hates Trump" and waved Palestinian flags. People take part in a Stop Trump Scotland protest outside the US Consulate in Edinburgh. Source: PA / Jane Barlow "I am here because of fascism in America under Trump's rule. I am here because of genocide in Gaza that is being funded and enabled by British and American governments," said 44-year-old Amy Hanlon in Aberdeen. Others said they did not want him in Scotland. "People need to stand up to Trump and he needs to know there's people who don't like what he's doing, what he's doing to the world and the affect he'll have on our children's future," one protester said. Many were furious about the cost of the US president's trip. "He's here on a private trip to look around his golf courses and the amount of money it's costing the Scottish tax payer is absolutely obscene," one protester said. People take part in a Stop Trump Scotland protest at the Union Terrace Gardens in Aberdeen. Source: PA / Nick Forbes The anger was not just directed at Trump, but also at British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who has put a lot of time and effort into building a good working relationship with the US president. "I'm disgusted by him … It's disgraceful. He's pandering to the right and he has been since the start of his Prime Ministership," one protester told SBS News. Starmer will meet Trump on Monday AEST while on Tuesday the President is expected to meet Scotland's First Minister John Swinney, who publicly endorsed Kamala Harris. "I can see that on balance it probably needs to happen, it could be really awkward on some counts if the First Minister does not meet with him, but personally I think it would have said a lot more if John Swinney had said 'I'm not meeting with that man'," a protesting Scot said. Others welcomed Trump Not everyone was against his visit. At Prestwick Airport on Friday evening a boy held a sign that read "Welcome Trump" while a man waved a flag emblazoned with Trump's most famous slogan — Make America Great Again. "I think the best thing about Trump is he's not actually a politician yet he's the most powerful man in the world and I think he's looking at the best interests of his own country," said 46-year-old Lee McLean, who had travelled from nearby Kilmarnock. "Most politicians should really be looking at the best interests of their own country first before looking overseas," he told Agence France-Presse. Trump is due to discuss trade with EU chief Ursula von der Leyen in Turnberry on Monday AEST. Trump is scheduled to return to the US on Tuesday but will be back in the UK for a state visit between 17-19 September, when he will be hosted by King Charles III.
Malay Mail
4 days ago
- Politics
- Malay Mail
Trump plays golf under tight security in Scotland as protests erupt over visit
TURNBERRY, July 27 — US President Donald Trump played golf under tight security on the first full day of a visit to Scotland yesterday, as hundreds of protesters took to the streets in major cities. Trump played at his Turnberry resort on the southwest coast of Scotland with son Eric and the US ambassador to the UK, Warren Stephens, waving to photographers. He arrived in his mother's birth country on Friday evening. His presence has turned the picturesque and normally quiet area into a virtual fortress, with roads closed and police checkpoints in place. Police officers—some on quad bikes and others on foot with sniffer dogs—patrolled the famous course and the sandy beaches and grass dunes that flank it. Secret Service snipers were positioned at vantage points while some other golfers on the course were patted down by security personnel. The 79-year-old Trump touched down Friday at nearby Prestwick Airport as hundreds of onlookers came out to see Air Force One and catch a glimpse of its famous passenger. Get your act together The president has professed a love of Scotland, but his controversial politics and business investments in the country have made for an uneasy relationship. Speaking to reporters on the tarmac, Trump immediately waded into the debate surrounding high levels of irregular migration, and lashed out at renewable energy efforts. 'You better get your act together or you're not going to have Europe anymore,' he said, adding that migration was 'killing' the continent. 'Stop the windmills. You're ruining your countries,' he added. Trump's five-day visit, which is set to mix leisure with business and diplomacy, has divided the local community. Over on the east coast, several hundred protesters demonstrated outside the US consulate in the capital Edinburgh and further north in the city of Aberdeen, near where Trump owns another golf resort. The protests were organised by the Stop Trump Coalition, which has called on Scotland's First Minister not to attend a scheduled meeting with Trump. Participants held placards with slogans like 'Scotland hates Trump' and waved Palestinian flags. 'I am here because of fascism in America under Trump's rule. I am here because of genocide in Gaza that is being funded and enabled by British and American governments,' said 44-year-old Amy Hanlon in Aberdeen. No demonstrations could be seen near Turnberry. Trade talks Not everyone was against his visit. At Prestwick Airport on Friday evening a boy held a sign that read 'Welcome Trump' while a man waved a flag emblazoned with Trump's most famous slogan—'Make America Great Again'. 'I think the best thing about Trump is he's not actually a politician yet he's the most powerful man in the world and I think he's looking at the best interests of his own country,' said 46-year-old Lee McLean, who had travelled from nearby Kilmarnock. 'Most politicians should really be looking at the best interests of their own country first before looking overseas,' he told AFP. Trump had no public events scheduled for Saturday, but he posted on his Truth Social network to say he was talking with the leaders of Cambodia and Thailand in a bid to end their border conflict that has left at least 33 people dead. Trump is due to discuss trade with EU chief Ursula von der Leyen in Turnberry yesterday. He is also due to meet UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, before heading to Balmedie in Aberdeenshire where he is expected to open a new golf course at his resort there. Trump is scheduled to return to the US on Tuesday but will be back in the UK for a state visit between 17-19 September, when he will be hosted by King Charles III. — AFP
RNZ News
5 days ago
- Politics
- RNZ News
Trump plays golf in Scotland as protesters rally
By Peter Hutchison , AFP US President Donald Trump reacts as he plays golf at the Trump Turnberry Golf Courses, in Turnberry on the south west coast of Scotland. Photo: ANDY BUCHANAN US President Donald Trump played golf under tight security on the first full day of a visit to Scotland, as hundreds of protesters took to the streets in major cities. Trump played at his Turnberry resort with son Eric and US ambassador to the UK Warren Stephens, waving to photographers following his arrival in his mother's birth country on Friday evening (US Time). His presence has turned the picturesque and normally quiet area of southwest Scotland into a virtual fortress, with roads closed and police checkpoints in place. Police officers - some on quad bikes and others on foot with sniffer dogs - patrolled the famous course and the sandy beaches and grass dunes that flank it. Secret Service snipers were positioned at vantage points while some other golfers on the course were patted down by security personnel. The 79-year-old Trump touched down on Friday at nearby Prestwick Airport as hundreds of onlookers came out to see Air Force One and catch a glimpse of its famous passenger. The president has professed a love of Scotland, but his controversial politics and business investments in the country have made for an uneasy relationship. Speaking to reporters on the tarmac, Trump immediately waded into the debate surrounding high levels of irregular migration, and lashed out at renewable energy efforts. "You better get your act together or you're not going to have Europe anymore," he said, adding that migration was "killing" the continent. "Stop the windmills. You're ruining your countries," he added. Trump's five-day visit, which is set to mix leisure with business and diplomacy, has divided the local community. Demonstrators hold placards during a 'Stop Trump Coalition' protest near the US Consulate building in Edinburgh, Scotland on July 26, 2025. Photo: SCOTT HEPPELL Several hundred protesters demonstrated outside the US consulate in the capital Edinburgh and in the city of Aberdeen, near where Trump owns another golf resort. The protests were organised by the Stop Trump Coalition. Participants held placards with slogans like "Scotland hates Trump" and waved Palestinian flags. "I am here because of fascism in America under Trump's rule. I am here because of genocide in Gaza that is being funded and enabled by British and American governments," 44-year-old Amy Hanlon in Aberdeen said. No demonstrations could be seen near Turnberry. Not everyone was against his visit. At Prestwick Airport on Friday evening a boy held a sign that read "Welcome Trump" while a man waved a flag emblazoned with Trump's most famous slogan - "Make America Great Again". "I think the best thing about Trump is he's not actually a politician yet he's the most powerful man in the world and I think he's looking at the best interests of his own country," 46-year-old Lee McLean said, who had travelled from nearby Kilmarnock. "Most politicians should really be looking at the best interests of their own country first before looking overseas," he told AFP. Golf buggy's are pictured on a course at the Trump Turnberry Golf Courses whilst US President Donald Trump plays. Photo: ANDY BUCHANAN Trump had no public events scheduled for Saturday, but he posted on his Truth Social network to say he was talking with the leaders of Cambodia and Thailand in a bid to end their border conflict that has left at least 33 people dead. Trump is due to discuss trade with EU chief Ursula von der Leyen in Turnberry on Sunday. He is also due to meet UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, before heading to Balmedie in Aberdeenshire where he is expected to formally open a new golf course at his resort there. Trump is scheduled to return to the US on Tuesday but will be back in the UK for a state visit between 17-19 September, when he will be hosted by King Charles III. - AFP
Al Jazeera
5 days ago
- Politics
- Al Jazeera
Trump wades in on Thailand-Cambodia fighting during golf visit in Scotland
United States President Donald Trump says he has spoken with the leaders of Cambodia and Thailand in a bid to end their border fighting, on the second day of his golfing trip in Scotland, where he owns and is promoting two courses. 'Just spoke to the Prime Minister of Cambodia relative to stopping the War with Thailand,' said Trump in a post on his Truth Social network on Saturday. Trump, who was playing at his Turnberry resort with son Eric and US ambassador to the UK Warren Stephens, said soon after in a new post, 'I have just spoken to the Acting Prime Minister of Thailand, and it was a very good conversation.' On Saturday, the death toll on both sides stood at 32, with more than 130 injured. Trump's announcement came as clashes, now in their third day, continued in the countries' coastal regions where they meet on the Gulf of Thailand, about 250 kilometres (160 miles) southwest of the main front lines. Tensions flared over long-contested ancient temple sites before fighting spread along the countries' rural border region, marked by a ridge of hills surrounded by wild jungle and agricultural land where locals farm rubber and rice. The decades-old conflict between Thailand and Cambodia, centred around a contested section of their shared border, re-erupted on Thursday after a landmine explosion along the border wounded five Thai soldiers. 'Thailand, like Cambodia, wants to have an immediate Ceasefire, and PEACE,' said Trump on Saturday. 'I am now going to relay that message back to the Prime Minister of Cambodia. After speaking to both Parties, Ceasefire, Peace, and Prosperity seems to be a natural. We will soon see!' Trump also indicated he would not move forward on trade deals with either nation until fighting has stopped. 'Even though he has Scottish roots, he's a disgrace' Trump's visit to Scotland, where his late mother hailed from, has met protests, both at the golf course where he is playing and elsewhere around the UK. Hundreds of demonstrators gathered on Saturday in front of the US Consulate in the capital Edinburgh. Speakers told the crowd that Trump was not welcome and criticised British Prime Minister Keir Starmer for striking a recent trade deal to avoid stiff US tariffs on goods imported from the UK. 'The vast majority of Scots have this sort of feeling about Trump that, even though he has Scottish roots, he's a disgrace,' said Mark Gorman, 63. Gorman, who works in advertising, said he came out 'because I have deep disdain for Donald Trump and everything that he stands for.' Protests also took place in other cities as environmental activists, opponents of Israel's war on Gaza, staunchly supported by the Trump administration, and pro-Ukraine groups loosely formed a 'Stop Trump Coalition'. 'I think there are far too many countries that are feeling the pressure of Trump and that they feel that they have to accept him and we should not accept him here,' said June Osbourne, 52, a photographer and photo historian. 'I don't think I could just stand by and not do anything,' said Amy White, 15, of Edinburgh, who attended with her parents. She held a cardboard sign that said 'We don't negotiate with fascists.' Other demonstrators held signs of pictures with Trump and Jeffrey Epstein as the feeding frenzy in the US media, and backlash from his MAGA base, over files in the case has increasingly frustrated the president. At a protest Saturday in Aberdeen, Scottish Parliament member Maggie Chapman told the crowd of hundreds: 'We stand in solidarity, not only against Trump but against everything he and his politics stand for.' While golf is the main purpose of his trip, Trump also plans to talk trade with Starmer and Ursula von der Leyen, the European Commission president. The Trump family will also visit another one of their courses near Aberdeen in northeastern Scotland, before returning to Washington on Tuesday.
South China Morning Post
5 days ago
- Politics
- South China Morning Post
Trump plays golf in Scotland as protesters rally
US President Donald Trump played golf under tight security on the first full day of a visit to Scotland on Saturday, as hundreds of protesters took to the streets in major cities. Trump played at his Turnberry resort with son Eric and US ambassador to the UK Warren Stephens, waving to photographers following his arrival in his mother's birth country on Friday evening. His presence has turned the picturesque and normally quiet area of southwest Scotland into a virtual fortress, with roads closed and police checkpoints in place. Police officers – some on quad bikes and others on foot with sniffer dogs – patrolled the famous course and the sandy beaches and grass dunes that flank it. Secret Service snipers were positioned at vantage points while some other golfers on the course were patted down by security personnel. The 79-year-old Trump touched down on Friday at nearby Prestwick Airport as hundreds of onlookers came out to see Air Force One and catch a glimpse of its famous passenger.
