I think there might be some mileage in a petition against the second state visit. Trump is so vainglorious that he’d probably concede all of his positions if there was a possibility UK public opinion could pull the rug out from under him. Let’s see how Trump likes his visit being in jeopardy.
He might give a toss if it looks like there’s a chance the invite could get revoked. HRH could get cosy with Canada for some added spice. Make Trump sweat.
Looking like Starmer has played a blinder. The only problem is that it may not matter *because* of Trumps lack of consistency, honesty or faithfulness.
The PM was like a seasoned diplomatic he was precise in his reply he called out the Fanta Facist on his incessant lies about Europe getting all their money back when the PM politely intervened by stating a majority was gifts and the rest gifts all & all a professional performance. Well done 👏👏
Starmer is a very clever legal advocate...very incisive.Read his biography. He's fought through the legal systems for disadvantaged people - knows how to be incisive - got a sharp legal mind.
vp tramp was no match for him
Trump is capricious. You do what you can with what is before you at that moment. The problem is he's got many wormtongues speaking conspiracy and Russian lies into his ears. Then the tide turns yet again.
That's because he's not in charge, and his dementia means he can't remember his orders.
He agrees with everyone he speaks to, then the people with the real power tell him what he should have said, and to get out there and correct it.
He's not changing his mind, he doesn't have one.
Starmer is a liar as judged by his betrayal of his manifesto to gain the leadership of the once great Labour Party.I wouldn't hold any kind of weight to anything that he has to say.
He just increased defence spending at the expence of foreign aid/welfare cuts and Charles is going there and then the orange man has been invited to stay at balmoral🤣Just keep on sucking up this drivel! Many of us can see the bigger picture.
Starmer should have worn a fawn coat , and when presenting..." the letter from The King"..
I expected Trump to say "I've got all his records, saw him in vegas .. Starmer should be comfortable dealing with idiots(see pmqs practice runs) but he seemed in awe (worrying)
Why extend the invitation, it would have been more informative to see trumps attitude without the bribe. Starmer should have held the invite in reserve as leverage in any trade negotiation, trump understands that. Naïve I fear.
I found it nauseating, listening to him pander to that moronic tangerine twat. If the NHS is 'on the table', in any potential trade deal, then Starmer can kiss his job goodbye.
I wouldn't know, because I just couldn't bring myself to watch. The instant he handed over that letter, my stress level went through the roof and I found myself in floods of tears at the bus stop.
Ok I've watched it now and you'll have to explain that to me. I'm not seeing it. Also, Starmer is not a diplomat, he's the prime minister. The two things are different.
I was the same, in fact I had a massive moan to my husband and 3 kids thinking why is he so bloody weak? Macron I did watch and was impressed so judging by remarks in this thread I need to watch it as I hope to god he was the same.UK needs stronger ties with the EU and to cut the US off
The text of letter from Charles has been published. Considering Trump has stated his intention to push Canada into economic ruin as a first step to annexing it, the man who adorns our bank notes remains remarkably complacent about it all. I don’t think a statue of him has been erected yet. His
I'm old enough to remember Neville Chamberlain returning from Munich in 1938 waving a bit of paper to everyone's relief, declaring that war had been averted.
I generally rate Starmer, but I can't get a very warm feeling about this. However well KS has played his hand, Trump is fundamentally untrustworthy and liable to change his mind if he gets a better deal or simply welch on any agreement people thought they had got out of him. Time will tell I guess.
Same and whilst I don’t doubt his intelligence I still fear his insistence of playing everything by the book won’t work when Musks puppet inevitably reneges on his agreement or ‘forgets’ that he even said it
If/when the shit really hits the fan and he has to take sides I hope it’s the right one
That too. It may have been very craftily executed, and unexpectedly successful, at least for now, but I'm still sick of it, and sick of it being required.
This whole thread makes me a little confused. Two nights ago Trump released an AI video of what Gaza would be like..utterly derailed and he gets a state visit??????? Do we think this is OK. Is this diplomacy or giving in to the far right.
It's totally giving in to the far right. A state visit ffs, give me strength. What kind of message does this send to the rest of the world. It's desperate.
Trump is a megalomaniac, and this plays to his vanity.
While these tactics might temper some of his policies, they also risk normalising a man who is actively orchestrating a coup at home while pursuing colonial ambitions abroad.
I’m nobody but I care. I don’t want that maggot in my country. I’m furious it’s happening in Scotland. And in a place where it will be incredibly difficult to protest, but I guess that’s the point. Keep the plebs away!
Oh dear James, no mention of the kiss arse Keir over him nearly dropping him trousers to please a dictator with a criminal record, who just enables the tates
Musk will remind him tomorrow that he's meant to hate Starmer and he was meant to be rude and insulting to him. He's going to be raging when he realises. It's hard for Trump to keep up with who he's meant to be insulting to and who he's meant to be salivating over...
The public humiliation of Zelensky by Trump and Vance totally puts Starmer's toadying into perspective. The Americans understand only one type of language. Europe needs to unify now, more than ever.
Absolutely. There's no credible way we can rely on the US as a partner. Presuming US free elections will still be allowed, if Democrats get back in its a false dawn because the succeeding Republican government will reverse all their policies and go after anyone overseas who made them look good.
Mixed feelings as you’ve said on your show this morning James. I am concerned that the fact US/UK trade deal looks to be at the expense of us moving back towards the EU. While we’re giving state visits to convicted felons I’m sure the UK can give one to Zelenskyy.He deserves one far more than Trump.
“Here you go you bloated, vain, orange sociopath, I brought you a letter from “The King”…… the “King of England” no less, aren’t you a lucky and special boy?”
He doesn’t forget about what he said about Zelenskyy. He just believes in different things at the same time according to what suits him at any particular moment in time
I feel like he has met most of his challenges in a very constructive way. I have to admit my character would have got in the way multiple times while facing some of the things he has faced from right back a couple of years ago.
Sorry I haven't seen any of the footage,I just can't stand watching that big slimy orange git spout his usual crap, followed by his usual denial that he said what he said.
Farage, Truss, Johnson Rees-Mogg et al are at this moment adding a little salt from their tears before they eat their own livers. Truss has of course refused the side salad.
He was smart to not say too much. Just so many man traps for him.
Trump uses humour very effectively, so best just to let him get on with it, Trump wants it to be the Trump show, and Starmer sensibley let him do that.
the "trump" card is state visit and making that a nice long build up with lots of planning and fanfare along the way - harder to turn up at palace having done the dirty even for mr president (who demonstrated yesterday why he is so dam effective in winning over people - until of course....)
Starmer is pretty aware the chances of a trade deal are very slim .. but hes playing along with trump ..get a deal for Ukraine in place first then sort the rest later ..
I think starmer and macron know Trump wont stick to his word, they played him on the world stage..
Starmer did the same to Johnson in Parliament about partygate
They know trump loves the pomp and a state visit offer was perfect bauble..
And a visit to Scotland to see King Charles too, apparently.
Time to dust down a few auld favourites in the placard/banner department and show the Americans just how alive and well freedom of speech is in the isles (a fitting tribute to the late, great Janey Godley)
It helps if diplomatic representatives were lawyers who have had practice at tearing "their learned friends" arguments to shreds while maintaining a veneer of civility and manners.
"A gentleman is someone who never insults ANYONE unintentionally."
What Starmer could is rewrite the Diego Garcia lease, take the US out and put NATO and other allies there. Mauritius is a democratic country, their governing structures is heavily based on UKs system and most of their politicians have studied in the UK. They would understand the significance of
This move. Mauritius economy does rely on Europe to be strong economically and they do use the Euro on the island. This move not only would send a strong message to the U.S but demonstrate to them how their alliance with Russia has devastated allies who still believes in democracy.
I was surprised at how skilled at brown-nosing Starmer is! I thought it was brilliant and sadly thanks to Trump, global politics currently resembles a school playground. Grandstanding is too generous a term to describe the world that we find ourselves in.
Sir Kier is doing a grand job so far…kill them with kindness 👌👏 @skynewsrss.bsky.social doing their best to find fault and undermine the PM at every turn 🤷🏻♀️🤦🏻♀️
Unfortunately many of us in the UK don't think much of Starmer for similar reasons. Somehow somewhere in the discussion will come the bit where the Queen's grandson's wife will probably have to leave the country and maybe Harry too. When Starmer leaves the room Trump will talk about tariffs
I like starmer he’s pragmatic and diplomatic. With someone like trump you have to massage their ego’s. That’s all he understands. Putin knows this too. You can’t just break ties with the us Look what’s happened to us after brexit. Thank goodness we’re rebuilding that relationship.
I don't. In his past he's been dishonest and duplicitous and authoritarian with his own people and not good on keeping promises. As to how Starmer fairs with Trump, we will see and watch
Let’s give thanks for small mercies. If Trump visits Buckingham Palace, with the likely protests we will see, He won’t be able to order our military to shoot the protesters.
If appeasement's a good thing, I suppose he has. History tells us otherwise. Meanwhile, Canadians are extremely unhappy and we Scots have to tolerate an uninvited official guest... again.
But this was a barefaced lie also, and went unchecked. Starmer isn’t doing a good job. He needs to raise his game considerably if he ever wants my vote again.
I think Trump's reaction said everything that needed saying. He might have laughed it off, but everyone knew. Starmer picked his battles and that wasn't one that needed fighting.
It might seem innocuous without context but it’s the most egregious of Trump’s comments. It absolutely was a point of principle and it needed to be countered. If a sitting president is given a free pass to simply say ‘Did I say, that?’ when challenged *by a human*, deepfakes are the least concern.
Yes, all true, but picking battles really is crucial for Ukraine here, & Starmer doing exactly the same as Macron did shows the orange turd undiluted European unity. As said elsewhere, we all already know the bullshit he spouts, we see him & his fellow nazis in all their putridity.
100% agree. I'm not saying he should be given a free pass, but it is important to remember the context of this visit and what we need to get out of it on behalf of Ukraine. Calling the President of the United States a liar in his own front room isn't the way to go about it.
To humiliate him to his face would mean you lose more than you gain.
We can see the evidence,
We know he lies - he either doesn’t know or doesn’t care.
Think it’s fairly obvious he’s at a serious clip in cognitive decline and whatever the speed he’s on is both keeping him upright but also hastening his decline.
Why was Vance even at that presser? Ever seen a VP at so many engagements and so vocal at any of them? He’s up soon
Why has Trump been offered not one but two State visits? I really don't understand why we are bending over so much to keep this sociopath happy and get scraps. Besides he's the type who would throw his best friend under a bus without a moments thought. Maybe its why I'm not a politician
Surprising as the UK doesn't allow anyone into the country who's been convicted of a criminal act within the past 12 months...there is an Act of Parliament which says as much.
Not him & Fergie, obviously 😒
He’s largely being kept out of formal appearances though; he could be one of the few, as well as Camilla’s nephew who *would* want to meet him though; they all have ru and Saud pals 😒
If Starmer said ‘Give US support to Ukraine or we will have to go to ‘plan B’ & free up the $300 Billion Russian money currently frozen in European Bank accounts to give to Ukraine (in contrast to the USA’s $11 Billion)
What would Trump do? Support the effort or see any chance of money diminish?
I wouldn’t quite call it a blinder yet - looked like Trump had him on the ropes suddenly with the comment ‘do you think you could take on Russia on your own’ - Trump smiles and Starmer squirms
I dont think a blinder has quite occurred yet, Trump had him on the ropes with his comment/joke about whether UK could take on Russia on the own - toying with him - Trump holds all the cards
Just what millions of struggling UK citizens need. A bully felon riding a gold carriage with an unelected benefit scrounger heading for a 7- course dinner in opulent surroundings.
"Satisfactory" !! Fawning over a fascist megalomaniac who wants to trample on anyone not conforming to his playbook!! Weak, weak Starmer. But then, I expected no better.
It's not easy to live with the implications of having "the strongest alliance in the world" with the current incarnation of USA.
Starmer's performative sycophancy was cringe worthy.
Matt, I am following you now because your bio gets the thumbs up from me 😀
BUT have to disagree re Starmer/Trump. Trump is a massive threat to the planet on so many levels and now we are "strong allies".
Heard the exchange on the radio and said at the time he had played a blinder with that move.
Stroking the ego with trinkets. Guess the royals are good for something after all.
I'm listening to LBC right now as they sing the praises of Kier Starmer regarding today's meeting with Trump. Let us not forget, regardless how well Starmer did, Trump is a master at telling people what they want to hear and nothing he says can be relied on.
Agree, he will turn ona sixpence , and become the cvnt that he is, esp after the state visit…! He wants that more than anything else with the UK…! Eg not many presidents can say they have had one with a king and queen!
Yes, but it will reinforce the fact that Trump can't keep his word and is unwell. It's drip, drip with this guy. Once his supporters stop receiving Medicare and Musk causes more planes to crash and more Americans to contract avoidable diseases and lose their job,then will be the time for aggression.
Very weak showing from Starmer. When Trump said that Tariffs don't affect consumers and it was a myth started by Europeans....Starmer should have corrected him just like Macron did earlier this week. Someone needs to stand up to the Orange buffoon!!!
Don’t be surprised to see a friendly attitude towards the UK. They can be used as a tool to help fracture the EU. It was always part of the russian plan. The UK need to be careful when picking a side here.
Trump is not a child though, he's had a lifetime of being appeased, including by the republicans and US citizens that voted for him. Sometimes, you need to acknowledge the current state and adapt to achieve your end goal.
That’s a fair point, I change my comment to it’s more akin to how I train my dog.
I distract him with some delicious sausage (kings letter) and he’ll perform most tricks as long as you keep his attention on that sausage.
Sadly you’re right James that for Trump this entire encounter will disappear into the vortex of his narcissistic psychopathy and will mean nothing to him or his cultists by tomorrow
If playing a blinder now means not actually being insulted on live tv by the US president, and sent packing with extra tariffs on your country's exports, then yes.
The King inviting a convicted felon and adjudicated rapist marks a new low for the Royal Family HM Gov and the Labour Party. I suppose it will only be appropriate that Prince Andrew does the meet and greet. #shameful and #disgusting. #no2ndstatevisit
So it’s not worth helping our country and its people then?
You’d rather tell him to piss off and watch our country burn 🔥
Because that’s the reality here.
That dope has control of the nuclear codes and is mated with a violent brutal dictator who could look to invade us in the future.
Great plan.
It's painful to watch all the grown ups humouring trump. It's like a parent watching a toddler run with scissors. Just keep him away from the furniture and check his laces are tied 🙄
I suppose the subtle difference is; America is an ally, so we need to stay friends no matter how unhinged it's leaders may be. Putin is a rabid dog which can't be trusted and needs putting down
1/ The comparison is not America with Putin, but Trump with Putin. Trump is not America, Trump is America’s version of Putin, and the only way we can still be allies with America is if Starmer dances to Trump’s tune, which Starmer has been doing for a while now, if you’ve been paying attention..
2/ Broadcasting the removal of so-called “Illegal” immigrants, reducing foreign aid by a massive 46% among others. These were all introduced to appease Trump, with lots more to come. Starmer can’t be allies with Trump & Europe at the same time.. it’s just not possible!
As it stands, Starmer risks isolating the UK as other democracies decide to move away from the unstable United States, and the UK seems determined to humiliate itself in the hopes of a free trade deal that either won't happen, or won't be worth the paper it's written on (cf, CUSMA).
Open golf at Trump Turnberry next ( not currently on the Open circuit). Starmer is smashing it. The RW client journos are now scrabbling around for any negativity.
Sadly by massaging his ego and giving the proto facsist an unprecedented 2nd state visit... but not in England no no.. he's getting dumped on us in Scotland, where he is as popular as a fart in a spaceship
It's just a little dance they've done. It'd have been easier for everyone all round if the US just admitted that they have new friends and they don't like us.
To djt, chuck is the ultimate.
Gets half billion of state money.
No taxes unless he wants to
Hands head of state to his kids
No one can kick him out
Make him work
Gets 1st dibs if law applies to him
Owns serious real estate
Owns the sea/beach
Comments
vp tramp was no match for him
Kier Statesman!
He agrees with everyone he speaks to, then the people with the real power tell him what he should have said, and to get out there and correct it.
He's not changing his mind, he doesn't have one.
AFGHANISTAN
UKRAINE
EUROPE
and it will become a vengeance.
I expected Trump to say "I've got all his records, saw him in vegas .. Starmer should be comfortable dealing with idiots(see pmqs practice runs) but he seemed in awe (worrying)
The State visit needs to be left until the last possible moment of Trump's presidency!
Can't see a good few of the Scots being too happy about that
This felt like a gut punch, my British mum would have been appalled.
I’d have loved for him to dress Trump down, but that was never going to happen.
If/when the shit really hits the fan and he has to take sides I hope it’s the right one
https://youtube.com/clip/UgkxjNTxBYQhluRp1ut-s1rt5E5c-36V7W7r?si=Xn2ugv8bSoF8ddSJ
Trump is a megalomaniac, and this plays to his vanity.
While these tactics might temper some of his policies, they also risk normalising a man who is actively orchestrating a coup at home while pursuing colonial ambitions abroad.
The public humiliation of Zelensky by Trump and Vance totally puts Starmer's toadying into perspective. The Americans understand only one type of language. Europe needs to unify now, more than ever.
Strength and Honour.
The point stands though. As a matter of urgency, we need to strengthen our ties with the rest of Europe and stand up to this tyranny.
Think so far he has played a blinder
But certainly credit where it’s due to Starmer.
to grift.
And Trump happy about Chagos? But that was Kemi's trump card?
Trump uses humour very effectively, so best just to let him get on with it, Trump wants it to be the Trump show, and Starmer sensibley let him do that.
TRUMP AS FAR AS PHILADELPHIA !
That's why the dirt isn't released; no one wants to lose their asset.
Starmer did the same to Johnson in Parliament about partygate
They know trump loves the pomp and a state visit offer was perfect bauble..
Time to dust down a few auld favourites in the placard/banner department and show the Americans just how alive and well freedom of speech is in the isles (a fitting tribute to the late, great Janey Godley)
"A gentleman is someone who never insults ANYONE unintentionally."
We can see the evidence,
We know he lies - he either doesn’t know or doesn’t care.
Why was Vance even at that presser? Ever seen a VP at so many engagements and so vocal at any of them? He’s up soon
Oh boy
☺️😊 listen every day, on playback if not live 🎙️🎧📻
FWIW, I thought it was an excellent, multi potty mouth, episode.
Trump: "did i say that? I don't remember"
Though most of the RF can’t actually stand him, by all accounts. 💁🏻♀️
He’s largely being kept out of formal appearances though; he could be one of the few, as well as Camilla’s nephew who *would* want to meet him though; they all have ru and Saud pals 😒
What would Trump do? Support the effort or see any chance of money diminish?
Unfortunately he meets with Stephen Miller way too often.
Simpleton.
https://bsky.app/profile/peterstefanovic.bsky.social/post/3lj6mtaphmk2y
https://www.thecut.com/article/who-is-natalie-harp-trump-aide-cancer-explained.html
It undermines everyone in the United States who is trying to resist the attacks he's carrying out as well as our friends in Europe.
Starmer's performative sycophancy was cringe worthy.
BUT have to disagree re Starmer/Trump. Trump is a massive threat to the planet on so many levels and now we are "strong allies".
Literally nobody would have predicted that, you had no chance of getting close to this on your show today.
I know it is rare for you to do it, but you should do a follow up hour on this tomorrow.
Stroking the ego with trinkets. Guess the royals are good for something after all.
And he played it well.
If Trump reneges tomorrow, well them's the odds.
Starmer intervened to say:
“We’re not getting all of ours. I mean, quite a bit of ours was gifted. It was given. There were some loans, but mainly it was gifted actually.”
Can't say I'd do better, my blood boils when those pigs start speaking/lying
I said I think he has the mental age of a child…
I distract him with some delicious sausage (kings letter) and he’ll perform most tricks as long as you keep his attention on that sausage.
I've seen so many horses ruined by it.
Harley was going for her ball, twisted and her leg went from under her. Went down like she'd been shot.
Older lady came by to check and introduced herself as a 'healer' for dogs.
Did some laying on of hands for Harley in the park 🙂
Sadly you’re right James that for Trump this entire encounter will disappear into the vortex of his narcissistic psychopathy and will mean nothing to him or his cultists by tomorrow
His critics will be absolutely seething.
Dangling the royal invite carrot was a very clever move by Starmer.
Very shrewd indeed.
No fan of Starmer either but we have to be realistic for our survival, it’s that serious.
And if it helps the UK and its citizens don’t you think that’s worth a try?
You’d rather tell him to piss off and watch our country burn 🔥
Because that’s the reality here.
That dope has control of the nuclear codes and is mated with a violent brutal dictator who could look to invade us in the future.
Great plan.
You celebrate it if you wish, I think it's an awful mistake.
What I'm really looking forward to is the book Kier will be writing when he's left office.
To djt, chuck is the ultimate.
Gets half billion of state money.
No taxes unless he wants to
Hands head of state to his kids
No one can kick him out
Make him work
Gets 1st dibs if law applies to him
Owns serious real estate
Owns the sea/beach
And as for the bling…