Kowtowing to Trump

Calendargirl

All those on GN who moan about the monarchy will have to admit, it’s the main ‘trump’ card we hold.

Charles’ handwritten invite was a master stroke.

👑

When it comes to Trump they’re our secret weapon. He so wants to be seen with them.

One of our trump cards? The monarchy is our only trump card and in this respect has always served us extremely well. It is also in this instance, D.T's Achilles heel and that invitation is worth a great deal to him, which gives us soft leeverage. For those anti monachists, without this soft leverage, we would, on the world stage be of little consequence.

Before we get too excited Trump hasn’t actually signed anything yet and until he does we need to be wary. ATM it’s just a good start.

I think this is one of the first things Starmer has done that deserves praise. What choice did he have anyway? If he showed aggression and rudeness the UK would suffer heavily. No, he handled it well. I still think he is a lousy PM but that is my opinion and I realise very much in the minority on GN. I also like certain aspects of Trump and I sincerely believe he wants peace in Ukraine and Gaza, too. I thought old Biden was a shocker.

Physical security arrangements surrounding this State visit will be very thorough. I think the Americans take charge of this. I wonder if the trip will go ahead or be cancelled further down the line on health grounds or for security reasons? I suppose William and Kate will play a leading role if it happens.

nanna8 It’s still early days for Starmer- although not a fan, 🪭 he might be settling into the role a bit. We probably don’t have anyone better do we?
Kemi Badenoch is not an improvement on Sunak imo but he probably can’t be bothered to fight the Tories. In fact, it’s all a bit sad here ….

Jaberwok

One of our trump cards? The monarchy is our only trump card and in this respect has always served us extremely well. It is also in this instance, D.T's Achilles heel and that invitation is worth a great deal to him, which gives us soft leeverage. For those anti monachists, without this soft leverage, we would, on the world stage be of little consequence.

Very true. If his weakness for the RF and the cachet of State visits saves us from the sort of tariffs the EU look likely to suffer they are a very valuable asset,

The Times claims it ‘A Triumph’

Charles’ handwritten invite was a master stroke

Especially if it was written in his best spidery writing with his leaky, ‘stinking’ pen! 😂

fancythat

Mollygo

Barleyfields

Of course Trump wanted his State visit. He’s a shallow narcissist. We knew an invitation would be forthcoming so there’s no brownie points for Starmer in that. It remains to be seen how Trump will treat the UK after he’s had his ego stroked with pomp and pageantry. He wouldn’t queer his pitch before that. I wouldn’t trust him an inch.

You only have to listen to Trump’s “did I say that?” to know that anything he says is not to be trusted.

I only what and read snippets of things, in compared to some.

When I have heard Trump say that, I had assumed that he meant he hadnt said whatever it was.

And it was the media or journalists who had got things wrong.

Fancythat
Here’s the clip of him saying it.

www.theguardian.com/us-news/video/2025/feb/27/did-i-say-that-donald-trump-denies-calling-zelenskyy-a-dictator-video

madeleine45

How cringemaking to see Starmer having to smarm up to Trump. He has earned his money for sure. When foreign policy is decided by what you can give a selfcentred misogynist, who acts like a two year old in a temper tantrum. Still Starmer had the best toy. He could wave an invitation to see the king. Trump couldnt miss that chance could he?

As for "helping" other countries, since when does it count as help if you are then asked to pay for it with anything this greedy lot think they should have.?

Excuse me while I go and be sick.

This isn't an adult who watched the actual speeches is it?

I do not envy Starter in this impossible situation. It looks to me as if he has played it as well as anyone could.

Oh dear merlotgran, why the cheap jibe? Surely you're better than that?
D.T is apparently planning a visit to Scotland later this year, and has been invited, by the King, to stay at Balmoral to discuss among other things, the impending state visit. I.guess Starmer needs help in dealing with Trump, and the King is the diplomatic person to smooth the way.

merlotgran

^Charles’ handwritten invite was a master stroke^

Especially if it was written in his best spidery writing with his leaky, ‘stinking’ pen! 😂

You could see how chuffed DT was with the letter.

“That’s quite a signature!”

(Not too worried about the spidery writing). 😂

I think some minion will be busy framing it for posterity.

Jaberwok

Oh dear merlotgran, why the cheap jibe? Surely you're better than that?
D.T is apparently planning a visit to Scotland later this year, and has been invited, by the King, to stay at Balmoral to discuss among other things, the impending state visit. I.guess Starmer needs help in dealing with Trump, and the King is the diplomatic person to smooth the way.

Merlotgran was just trying to inject a little humour; no malice intended, I am sure, from this nice lady.
The King is doing his job; let's hope somebody in the RF plays golf.

Boz

Jaberwok

Oh dear merlotgran, why the cheap jibe? Surely you're better than that?
D.T is apparently planning a visit to Scotland later this year, and has been invited, by the King, to stay at Balmoral to discuss among other things, the impending state visit. I.guess Starmer needs help in dealing with Trump, and the King is the diplomatic person to smooth the way.

Merlotgran was just trying to inject a little humour; no malice intended, I am sure, from this nice lady.
The King is doing his job; let's hope somebody in the RF plays golf.

Andrew is the only golfer

OldFrill

Boz

Jaberwok

Oh dear merlotgran, why the cheap jibe? Surely you're better than that?
D.T is apparently planning a visit to Scotland later this year, and has been invited, by the King, to stay at Balmoral to discuss among other things, the impending state visit. I.guess Starmer needs help in dealing with Trump, and the King is the diplomatic person to smooth the way.

Merlotgran was just trying to inject a little humour; no malice intended, I am sure, from this nice lady.
The King is doing his job; let's hope somebody in the RF plays golf.

Andrew is the only golfer

Wow. Andrew's time has come.

Jaberwok
Oh dear merlotgran, why the cheap jibe? Surely you're better than that?

That’s a rather pompous response to a joke, Jaberwork
Surely you’re better than that?

Thank you, Boz

Wow. Andrew’s time has come

Perhaps not.

And the last state visit was labelled a resounding/outstanding success.

That was the one where DT stepped out ahead of the late Queen when inspecting the troops, meaning HM had to dodge round him.

I thought Starmer looked really out of his comfort zone dealing with Trump. Plain embarrassing to see him trying to copy Macron by patting Trump on the arm. He also seemed very ill at ease just delivering the invitation from the King and trying to make a big deal out of it for the cameras - just not his way I think.

Starmer's chumming up to Trump was a means to an end, nothing more.

I thought he did very well & I love the extra funding for GP's so we don't have to do 8am appointments anymore.

I think he is settling into his new job a bit more, I always did used to think it took around 6 months

Meant to add, good for him for going against the grain and trying so hard. Fingers crossed for a job well done.

I've pinched this from someone on a Radio 4 site - Charles should send Andrew instead... and they should go to a Pizza Hut.

RosieandherMaw

I know it’s called Diplomacy but I could not bring myself to see Starmer cosying up to —that duplicitous git— Trump on the News last night.
Yes, I cringed too.

Yes, but Starmer had a job to do, and he was intelligent enough to channel his best Boris Johnson, jovial, jokey, touch-freely, recognising it would go down well with Trump. It must have gone against his own instincts, but I think he did well.

It’s great diplomacy in action. I can’t imagine for one minute that the king is looking forward to another Trump state visit, but it’s very useful leverage don’t you think?