Anti-Trump protesters rally in Scotland’s capital because the U.S. president visits his mom’s delivery nation to inaugurate a brand new golf course and meet UK leaders.
SCOTT SIMON, HOST:
President Trump is spending the weekend within the residence nation of his late mom, Scotland. He’s taking part in golf, selling golf resorts that he owns there and assembly with British and European leaders. However questions on Gaza, commerce and his lifeless former good friend, intercourse offender Jeffrey Epstein, have adopted him to Scotland, and there are many protesters. NPR’s Lauren Frayer is at an indication in Edinburgh, joins us from there. Lauren, thanks for being with us.
LAUREN FRAYER, BYLINE: Thanks for having me, Scott.
SIMON: What sort of welcome is the president receiving in Scotland?
FRAYER: Nicely, I am outdoors the U.S. Consulate in Edinburgh, the place a number of hundred folks gathered right this moment. There are Scottish bagpipers. Considered one of them is holding an indication that claims, a minimum of this bag of scorching air serves a objective. There are Palestinian flags over the gang. I additionally see an indication that claims, Scotland is already nice – a reference to, you understand, making something nice once more. Pageant folks – protest organizers right here name this a competition of resistance. This is protester Niamh Cunvin-Smith (ph).
NIAMH CUNVIN-SMITH: Why on Earth is that this convicted felon allowed to return into our nation and play golf when the folks don’t like him?
FRAYER: A latest ballot discovered that greater than 70% of individuals in Scotland have an unfavorable view of Trump. That is greater than throughout the complete United Kingdom, of which Scotland is a component. Individuals right here say they’re motivated by Trump’s local weather coverage. In reality, some local weather protesters really abseiled, belayed themselves on ropes down off a bridge right here final night time. Others say they’re protesting U.S. coverage within the Center East. Many Scots are additionally indignant on the value to taxpayers of Trump’s go to right here, and there are even a couple of Jeffrey Epstein posters within the combine right here.
SIMON: A subject that the president may need hoped to go away on this aspect of the Atlantic, I ought to assume.
FRAYER: Most likely, but it surely’s one of many issues that the touring press requested him about moments after Air Power One touched down right here final night time. Trump denied ever being briefed that his identify could be within the Epstein information. He mentioned he has the ability to pardon Epstein’s ex, Ghislaine Maxwell, who’s in jail, however that he hasn’t thought of doing that. And he mentioned, if you are going to discuss Epstein…
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PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP: Discuss all of his buddies. Speak concerning the hedge fund guys that have been with him on a regular basis. Do not discuss Trump.
FRAYER: So Trump was dodging questions on Epstein right here, but it surely’s not simply the media speaking about this. Scottish protesters stealthily put up an indication outdoors of one in all Trump’s golf resorts right here this week that claims, quote, “twinned with Epstein Island.”
SIMON: The president does have deep household ties to Scotland. As we talked about, his late mom was born and raised there. Do Scots like to think about him a local son?
FRAYER: Yeah, I imply, his mom was born on the Isle of Lewis within the Outer Hebrides islands, a spot that Trump as soon as, on a non-public go to, referred to as severe Scotland. Her first language was really Gaelic. Trump has lengthy owned golf resorts right here. So Scots have been well-acquainted with him for a very long time, even earlier than he grew to become president. Trump says he loves Scotland, however he is additionally been essential of its setting coverage, for instance. He is referred to as for the nation to scrap what he calls windmills – renewable power wind generators. He considers them an eyesore. He is referred to as on Scotland to double down on power from fossil fuels as a substitute. This is an Edinburgh bartender I spoke with referred to as Cam Web page (ph).
CAM PAGE: I imply, the very first thing I noticed him occurring about was the windmills and all that. It is – I believe it is a bit bizarre that the very first thing he does when he comes right here is simply moan and complain.
FRAYER: He type of simply needs Trump to butt out of his nation’s power coverage.
SIMON: This can be a non-public presidential journey, however there may be some enterprise and politics blended with it. He is assembly with British and European leaders. What’s on the president’s agenda?
FRAYER: Yeah, so Trump will likely be assembly with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer. You will recall they introduced a restricted commerce deal again in Could. Starmer could press Trump for an additional discount of tariffs on British metal. The U.S. president can also be assembly with the European Fee president, Ursula von der Leyen. The U.S. and the EU are nonetheless negotiating their commerce deal. Trump mentioned the possibilities of that figuring out earlier than an August 1 deadline for extra tariffs is, quote, about “50/50.” As you mentioned, it is a non-public journey by President Trump. He is really coming again to the U.Ok. in a pair months, in September, for a state go to with King Charles. That’ll be at Windsor Fort, close to London. That journey will likely be stuffed with pomp and pageantry. You may recall one in all Trump’s prior visits entailed protesters floating a large orange Trump child blimp over London. We’ll be looking forward to something like that right here and in addition masking his journey to Windsor in September, as properly.
SIMON: NPR’s Lauren Frayer in Edinburgh. Thanks a lot.
FRAYER: Thanks, Scott.
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