Trump was greeted by Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Charles at Buckingham Palace on Monday, starting the three days of festivities and meticulously calibrated diplomacy. The royals served lunch, showed off their old stuff, poured tea and hosted a lavish banquet with the good china. And everything went off without a hitch.
The press focused (of course they did) on the morning’s tweets. Trump complained about CNN and insulted London Mayor Sadiq Khan, calling him a “stone cold loser” — and short. Trump and Khan have a long-running squabble.
.@SadiqKhan, who by all accounts has done a terrible job as Mayor of London, has been foolishly “nasty” to the visiting President of the United States, by far the most important ally of the United Kingdom. He is a stone cold loser who should focus on crime in London, not me……
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) June 3, 2019
….Kahn reminds me very much of our very dumb and incompetent Mayor of NYC, de Blasio, who has also done a terrible job – only half his height. In any event, I look forward to being a great friend to the United Kingdom, and am looking very much forward to my visit. Landing now!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) June 3, 2019
Just arrived in the United Kingdom. The only problem is that @CNN is the primary source of news available from the U.S. After watching it for a short while, I turned it off. All negative & so much Fake News, very bad for U.S. Big ratings drop. Why doesn’t owner @ATT do something?
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) June 3, 2019
Trump already had issues with CNN since his arrival, including a story where CNN alleged President Trump called Meghan Markle, Duchess of Sussex, “nasty.” Which was totally misconstrued
Fake News CNN is at it again, falsely claiming President Trump called Meghan Markle “nasty.” Here is what he actually said. Listen for yourself! pic.twitter.com/kLuPXBLMhf
— Official Trump War Room (@TrumpWarRoom) June 1, 2019
On Tuesday, things will get more political as Trump meets with Prime Minister Theresa May and holds a joint news conference. But Monday was all about the royal treatment. Trump attended the banquet along with first lady Melania Trump, four of his five children, and son-in-law Jared Kushner.
The special relationship between the United States and the United Kingdom is bigger than personal or political differences, Brit Hume said Monday night.
President Trump and Melania Receive Royal Welcome At Buckingham Palace
The queen is at the center of this state visit. But, at 93, she appears to be allowing other senior royals to share in the hosting duties. Prince Andrew led the Trumps through Westminster Abbey, where they lay a wreath at the grave of the Unknown Warrior. Prince Charles and his wife, Camilla, hosted the Trumps for tea.
“The Queen and the entire Royal family have been fantastic,” Trump tweeted after his afternoon with them, adding: “Tremendous crowds of well wishers and people that love our Country. Haven’t seen any protests yet, but I’m sure the Fake News will be working hard to find them.”
London part of trip is going really well. The Queen and the entire Royal family have been fantastic. The relationship with the United Kingdom is very strong. Tremendous crowds of well wishers and people that love our Country. Haven’t seen any protests yet, but I’m sure the….
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) June 3, 2019