Donald Trump is on day three of his four day visit to Scotland – and clearly in the mood to make some waves.
Although it would seem he’s primarily here for a golfing holiday at his two Scottish resorts in South Ayrshire and Aberdeenshire, Trump has also squeezed in several visits with international leaders.
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He has already sat down with EU chief Ursula von der Leyen and UK prime minister Keir Starmer. A separate chat with Scotland’s first minister John Swinney is scheduled for this evening.
While Stop Trump Coalition protesters have been campaigned against his arrival outside the US consulate in Edinburgh, the president has been making major statements on both domestic and international politics from his Turnberry gold course.
Here’s everything that has happened through his visit so far:
1. He changed the 50-day deadline for Putin
Trump declared he was “disappointed” with Vladimir Putin’s ongoing aggression against Ukraine, especially after giving him 50 days to end the war – or face secondary sanctions.
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So Trump said he was to cut that time down to 10 or 12 days, adding: “There’s no reason in waiting. I want to be generous but we just don’t see any progress being made.”
2. He disagreed with Israel over Gaza
Trump distanced himself from his ally Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s claim that there is “no starvation in Gaza”.
He said the situation in the Palestinian territory is “terrible” and that “we have to get the kids fed”.
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He also suggested setting up food centre in Gaza with “no boundaries”.
Trump said Gaza is one of the main reasons for their meeting and that a ceasefire is very much possible.
3. Trump insisted he did not visit Epstein’s island
Trump claimed he “never went” to the island owned by the late convicted sex offender, Jeffrey Epstein, also known as Little Saint James, where many of the alleged offences took place.
The US president has been facing major backlash in the States, particularly with his MAGA base, recently.
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It comes his administration announced it would not be releasing any further files on the former financier, who was friends with Trump for over a decade.
But Trump told reporters today: “I did turn it down but a lot of people in Palm Beach were invited to his island. In one of my very good moments, I turned it down. I didn’t want to go to his island.”
He also claimed: “For years I wouldn’t talk to Jeffery Epstein. I wouldn’t talk because he did something that was inappropriate.
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“He hired help and I said don’t ever do that again. He’s stolen people that work for me, I said don’t ever do that again. He did it again and I threw him out of the place. I threw him out and that was it.”
4. He weighed in on the small boats crisis
When asked how the UK should deal with the migrants who arrive on British shores illegally, he spoke about the US immigration policy and said no one had come into the country illegally in the last month.
“If you’re stopping immigration and stopping the wrong people, my hats are off to you,” Trump said.
He added that he knows “nothing about the boats” but he welcomed Starmer’s strong opposition to it.
“Anyone here illegally should not be allowed in,” he said.
5. The president casually claimed he’s stopped six wars
The US president alleged to have stopped six wars since he was sworn into the Oval Office in January, adding: “I’m averaging around a war a month.”
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He referred to India and Pakistan, and Congo and Rwanda. It’s not clear which other conflicts he is referring to, especially as the Ukraine war and the Israel-Gaza crisis are both ongoing.
6. Trump attacked Sadiq Khan
“I am not a fan of the London mayor [Sadiq Khan]. I think he has done a terrible job. He’s a nasty person,” Trump said.
Starmer tried to defuse the tension, cutting in: “He’s a friend of mine actually!”
But Trump continued: “No I think he’s done a terrible job.”
