Visit of Trump

Alexa, sadly, Jacinda Ardern couldn't come here on a state visit as she is not head of state in New Zealand. Her Majesty is their head of state. However, it would be good if JA could visit and address our Parliament. What a breath of fresh air that would be.

It is not strictly true that Trump represents 'most' Americans according to the democratic process. If the President had been elected on a simple majority of the electorate, Hillary Clinton would be the one to do a state visit. She had a majority over Trump of 2.86 million votes. However, the strange procedure of the Electoral College determining the result of the election, landed the US with the anomaly of Trump and unless the procedure were to be changed in favour of a simple majority, it's entirely possible that Trump will get a second term.

I was impressed to hear Vince Cable say that,much as he was honoured by Her Majesty's invitation, he had declined to attend a state banquet for Trump, just as he had previously refused an invitation to dine with the king of Saudi Arabia.

Mr Trump is the President because he represents 'most' Americans according to democratic process. If Trump did not exist there would be some other bad person for misled Americans to make into a president. We should honour Trump because of this ascribed status among Americans regardless of whether or not he is a criminal or a fool as he represents the USA.

We should refuse to honour Trump because of his immoral achievements.

Both points of view are right .
My preference is for Trump not to be honoured with the Queen's horses and carriages and company at dinner and so on, as ceremonials like those should be reserved for real heroes and saints. I mean if Jacinda Ardern came on a state visit how are we to give her special honours if those have been polluted? There should be a sliding scale of honours according to achieved moral status. Mr Trump would then perhaps occupy big cars and the very best hotel suite and plenty of meetings with business people, but would not merit physically touching the Queen or sitting on a cushion in her carriage .

maddy what are you talking about?

GabriellaG54 I base my distaste for Trump on the videos of him speaking that I have seen. I think he is a thoroughly odious person, a hypocrite of the first degree, a liar, an egotist who cannot stand to be anything but "the best" Have you seen his boasts that he is the best at whatever, knows more than anybody else, etc etc ? I especially like that he said he is the most transparent president in the history of the country. Really? Tax statements and education records for a start. Trump has threatened legal action against any facility that reveals his attainments. Probably because he didn't come top of the class like he claims!
I would prefer to totally ignore his visit to the UK, the lack of attention would hurt him more than anything else. What I strongly object to is Jeremy Hunt's suggestion that he should address parliament. Absolutely not! We have enough home grown morons, we certainly don't need to import them from the USA.

Do you really have to be so rude and unpleasant Maryeliza? It’s very sad.

Well luckily your views won’t have any influence.

I agree with you Calli, our own dignity is what matters here. We normally behave well when other unpleasant (a polite description) heads of state visit, although I believe there have been some low key demonstrations on occasion. However, I believe we would demean ourselves as a country if we behave impolitely. Calli’s DH is correct in my opinion, we should not be brought down to the lowest common denominator.
Our Queen is a very good example of this, whatever the situation, whoever the person, she behaves impeccably, and with absolute dignity.

That’s far too subtle for DT

I have heard DH say "That just brings you down to their level", not particularly about Trump and his visit but generally about retaliating if someone behaves badly.

He’s not getting a free pass because of that - the ceremonies will not be affected

Jane10 I rather like the idea of a massive posterior salute to that awful orange - want to put a sweary thing. But won’t.

I think, if he is here for the commemorations of the D-Day landings and manages to behave with some dignity, then we should try to do the same for the sake of the memory of all those servicemen (and women) who sacrificed their lives so that we have the right to demonstrate - or not, as we decide.

Flying a balloon does not demean the UK - it probably gets us brownie points.

Why must he have some good qualities? ( clue: he hasn’t)

I stand corrected re the source of his money...having been told umpteen times...thanks to all.
There is no need to be nasty about him. You/we only know what you/we read and hear news-wise. He must have some good qualities.

Oh dear, when I started this thread I expected some spirited responses, but my expectations have been exceeded. I’ve read through most of it, and am a little lost for words, unusual for me! Lots I agree with, the majority actually, a bit I disagree with, but at the end of the day, I’m not too worked up about DT’s visit, I’ll see it on the news but that’s it really. I hope we don’t fly another balloon though, I think that demeans the U.K. I suppose what I really think is that whatever he does that he shouldn’t , or doesn’t do that he should , or if he behaves impeccably (probably unlikely) we should remain dignified.

Groan, just groan. I have been a bit out of the loop with the news and this is just about the end.

Donald Trump has recently accused the UK of spying on his 2016 election campaign on behalf of President Obama. He, typically, has produced no evidence to back up this accusation. Such a good friend to the Brits!

Why should anyone, including Brits, respect the office of POTUS when the incumbent President doesn't respect it himself?

Anyone thinking that the Americans will be offended if we demonstrate against Trump should check out the number of demonstrations there have been in the USA against him.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_protests_against_Donald_Trump

It bears repeating, Maizie. For someone who is always singing his own praises as the best ever at everything and who puts great store by the accumulation of dosh, Trump is very good at losing it, and very bad at actually generating any.

I have heard it often said that Trump is such a useless businessman that he would have done better just to put his father's money in a Post Office Savings account. Many of his attempts at business resulted in abject failure, bankruptcy and liquidation.

He is a successful conman who made his name as a TV host. The comedian who has just become President of the Ukraine probably has more ability to govern.

Sorry, repeating something already posted by Callistemon. Didn't realise the thread had moved on...