EDINBURGH, Scotland (AP) — President Donald Trump performed golf Saturday at his course on Scotland’s coast whereas protesters across the nation took to the streets to decry his go to and accuse United Kingdom leaders of pandering to the American.
Trump and his son Eric performed with the U.S. ambassador to Britain, Warren Stephens, close to Turnberry, a historic course that the Trump household’s firm took over in 2014. Safety was tight, and protesters saved at a distance wand unseen by the group throughout Trump’s spherical. He was wearing black, with a white “USA” cap, and was noticed driving a golf cart.
The president appeared to play a gap 9 holes, cease for lunch, then head out for 9 extra. By the center of the afternoon, plainclothes safety officers started leaving, suggesting Trump was accomplished for the day.
President Donald Trump waves on the golf course at Trump Turnberry resort in Turnberry, Scotland, Britain, July 26, 2025. Picture by Phil Noble/Reuters
A whole lot of demonstrators gathered on the cobblestone and tree-lined road in entrance of the U.S. Consulate about 100 miles (160 kilometers) away in Edinburgh, Scotland’s capital. Audio system informed the group that Trump was not welcome and criticized British Prime Minister Keir Starmer for putting a current commerce deal to keep away from stiff U.S. tariffs on items imported from the U.Ok.
Protests have been deliberate in different cities as environmental activists, opponents of Israel’s conflict with Hamas in Gaza and pro-Ukraine teams loosely fashioned a “Cease Trump Coalition.” Anita Bhadani, an organizer, stated the protests have been “sort of like a carnival of resistance.”
June Osbourne, 52, a photographer and photograph historian from Edinburgh wore a pink cloak and white hood, recalling “The Handmaid’s Story.” Osbourne held up image of Trump with “Resist” stamped over his face.
“I feel there are far too many nations which are feeling the stress of Trump and that they really feel that they’ve to simply accept him and we must always not settle for him right here,” Osbourne stated. The twin-U.S.-British citizen stated the Republican president was “the worst factor that has occurred to the world, the U.S., in many years.”
Trump’s late mom, Mary Anne MacLeod, was born on the Isle of Lewis in Scotland and the president has recommended he feels at house within the nation. However the protesters did their greatest to vary that.
Anti-Trump demonstrators collect throughout a rally organized by the marketing campaign group Cease Trump Coalition, protesting the go to of President Donald Trump, in Edinburgh, Scotland, Britain, July 26, 2025. Picture by Lesley Martin/Reuters
“I don’t assume I might simply stand by and never do something,” stated Amy White, 15, of Edinburgh, who attended along with her dad and mom. She held a cardboard signal that stated “We don’t negotiate with fascists.” She stated ”so many individuals right here detest him. We’re not divided. We’re not divided by faith, or race or political allegiance, we’re simply right here collectively as a result of we hate him.”
Different demonstrators held indicators of images with Trump and Jeffrey Epstein because the fervor over recordsdata within the case has more and more pissed off the president.
Within the view of Mark Gorman, 63, of Edinburgh, “the overwhelming majority of Scots have this kind of feeling about Trump that, although he has Scottish roots, he’s a shame.” Gorman, who works in promoting, stated he got here out “as a result of I’ve deep disdain for Donald Trump and every little thing that he stands for.”
Saturday’s protests weren’t practically as giant because the throngs that demonstrated throughout Scotland when Trump performed at Turnberry throughout his first time period in 2018.
However, as bagpipes performed, individuals chanted “Trump Out!” and raised dozens of do-it-yourself indicators that stated issues like “No pink carpet for dictators,” “We don’t need you right here” and “Cease Trump. Migrants welcome.”
One canine had an indication that stated “No treats for tyrants.”
Some on the far proper took to social media to name for gatherings supporting Trump in locations comparable to Glasgow.
Trump additionally plans to speak commerce with Starmer and Ursula von der Leyen, the European Fee president. However golf is a serious focus.
The household can even go to one other Trump course close to Aberdeen in northeastern Scotland, earlier than returning to Washington on Tuesday. The Trumps will reduce the ribbon and play a brand new, second course in that space, which formally opens to the general public subsequent month.
Scottish First Minister John Swinney, who can also be set to satisfy with Trump in the course of the go to, introduced that public cash will go to staging the 2025 Nexo Championship, beforehand identified beforehand because the Scottish Championship, at Trump’s first course close to Aberdeen subsequent month.
“The Scottish Authorities acknowledges the significance and advantages of golf and golf occasions, together with boosting tourism and our financial system,” Swinney stated.
At a protest Saturday in Aberdeen, Scottish Parliament member Maggie Chapman informed the group of tons of: “We stand in solidarity, not solely in opposition to Trump however in opposition to every little thing he and his politics stand for.”
The president has lengthy lobbied for Turnberry to host the British Open, which it has not accomplished since he took over possession.
In a social media put up Saturday, Trump quoted the retired golfer Gary Participant as saying Turnberry was among the many “Prime 5 Biggest Golf Programs” he had performed in as knowledgeable. The president, within the put up, misspelled the town the place his golf course is positioned.