Kowtowing to Trump

As lots have said, Trump (or 'Agent Orange', as he's known in Moscow) is indeed a shallow narcissist, a basically nasty, racist, sexist, fraud, liar and conman, who has got to his favoured position, having media and world leaders seeking his approval.

His attention span is excessively poor, even by American standards, as he's used to watching their TV (for those unaware, ad breaks every couple of minutes!). And he is NOT any 'business genius', as his MAGA fans claim, he's been bankrupt at least 4 times, despite starting with some $200mill from daddy.

One phrase he HAS mastered is "trade tariffs", even though it's no secret that their increased use actually HURT USA consumers in his first 4 year spell as PoTUS.

As one pundit said y'day, he'll be denying soon that the 8 year limit on Presidents should apply to him, as he had 4 years out of the job with sleepy Joe in the chair.

He'd probably think being described as a mere 'hypocrite' is a compliment, as anyone who called Zelensky a "dictator" while snuggling up to Putin is actually delusional.

Starmer did much better than expected. Thank goodness. Those criticising, what do you wish he had done?
But, jings, don't think it's a good idea to have Trump anywhere near Scotland.

I think the term "keep your enemies closer" was made for Starmers US visit - until there is a plan B in place for European defence we and others will need to keep DT onside despite him being the most horrible indivdual on the planet! Good luck to Ukraine - hopefully they will get the reassurance they need and compromise from Putin.

So, the visit is to be in 2028. That's plenty of time for Mr Trump to be deposed( fingers crossed)
A game plan for '28 perhaps, if required- all streets around which Mr Trump parades to be conspicuously empty.

It was a great example of brown-nosing. 🤣. Starmer is such a creep especially after all the stuff he has said about Trump. Lammy is even worse.

Thanks for that info, J52, I wasn’t aware of that. 🪑 🛋️

Oh, I assumed the state visit was this year - so this summer’s visit is just a warm up act? In 2028 Trump might be well into his campaign for a third term. 🤔

There were so many unpleasant comments about the pen, that this sounded more.of the same. It wasn't funny then, and it isn't now.

Well said Primrose.

Starmer would have been a fool to have done anything but try to cosy up to Trump but at the end of the day, it will mean little. Trump's promises mean very little and even the agreements he made in his first term have now been ripped up.
I think Trump will find out that his efforts with Putin will be just as reliable and the world is very much in trouble.

The earlier comments from Downing Street about Farage’s posturing about the Chagos Islands being codswallop (their words) look to have been right too. All’s fair in love and politics, I bet he is smarting today.

Primrose and Barleyfields, how do you suggest KS should have handled the meeting?

Jaberwok - of course that was the second leaky pen issue in a week- and Camilla had to use it after him (and she commented on it too).

I expect everyone would have said somethingabout it.
I would have done.

No idea why it became a "thing".

LizzieDrip

Primrose and Barleyfields, how do you suggest KS should have handled the meeting?

Exactly. I would like to hear how the critics would have dealt with that situation. I think Starmer did a good job with someone as volatile Trump.

Even the most expensive fountain pen can unexpectedly leak right at the wrong moment and I guess that is why people tend not to use them anymore. Yes, there was the other pen which Camilla handled with the minimum of fuss while soothing the new Kings irritation. I felt very sorry for him and admiration for her for saving the day.
Yes, I'd be interested to hear how others would have handled, or would have preferred to see K.S handle D.T? He is so unpredictable that one wrong word could have caused a major upset. All in all, K.S did very reasonable job.

I don’t understand what was so good about Starmer’s performance. He was polite, and the ace up his sleeve was of course the invitation from the King. He knew that. He had a much easier task than Macron because of that. He did his job. Without that invitation does anyone seriously think that things would have gone smoothly?

The Royal invite is and was the U.K.’s trump card (please excuse the pun)

I think DT being reelected should be a warning to our politicians that slating politicians of other countries is not a good look as you never know when you will be asked to suck up to them

All in a days work, as the saying goes.

Well said. It’s rather like the advice not to ruffle feathers when going up the ladder as you never know who you might meet on the way down.

Totally agree G.G13! Same principle as, Always be courteous to people in the way up as you could possibly meet them on the way down!

I can’t help feeling that the judgement of the world media is a better guide of how well he did than personal opinions.

The world media consists of personal opinions.

Barleyfields

The world media consists of personal opinions.

Which add up to a positive or negative view, which is broadcast to the world. People listen to the media.

Casdon

I can’t help feeling that the judgement of the world media is a better guide of how well he did than personal opinions.

We will only know in the fullness of time whether or not KS did a good job.

The media, like us can only commentate on what they have seen and/or heard.

I think the world and its wife knows by now that DT changes his mind more often than most people change their underwear, he is unpredictable and in my humble opinion he enjoys the power he has over others as a result of his predictability.

Sorry last word should read unpredictability

GrannyGravy13

Casdon

I can’t help feeling that the judgement of the world media is a better guide of how well he did than personal opinions.

We will only know in the fullness of time whether or not KS did a good job.

The media, like us can only commentate on what they have seen and/or heard.

I think the world and its wife knows by now that DT changes his mind more often than most people change their underwear, he is unpredictable and in my humble opinion he enjoys the power he has over others as a result of his predictability.

I agree, Trump is completely unpredictable. The media can only judge on the basis of what they see and hear - I still think their perceptions have somewhat more credibility than our individual opinions though, particularly in this instance the US media, who spend their lives second guessing what Trump et al are doing and planning.

Exactly what I thought....I kinda get it as it was playing on his huge ego to get what he wants! The king must have felt sick having to invite him...again!! Great display was made of this is 'unprecedented' referring to full 2nd State Visit and King meeting him at either borders or Balmoral as well...how galling that must be...Of course it will be Balmoral. All playing to to Trump's narcissim... but if it works I get it but like you makes me want to throw up!