President Trump is apparently saying that he will delay his expected state visit to the United Kingdom until he gets better coverage from the British press:
Donald Trump reportedly told Theresa May he will not make a state visit to the UK until he is guaranteed a “better reception”.
The US President asked the Prime Minister to prepare a “warm welcome” before he agrees to set a date, it has been claimed.
The pair spoke on the phone to discuss the planned state visit, which has now been postponed until next year.
“I haven’t had great coverage out there lately, Theresa,” Mr Trump told Ms May, according to a transcript of the conversation seen by The Sun.
Ms May replied: “Well, you know what the British press are like.”
But Mr Trump added: “I still want to come, but I’m in no rush.
“So, if you can fix it for me, it would make things a lot easier.
“When I know I’m going to get a better reception, I’ll come and not before.”
Over 1.8 million people signed a petition to prevent Mr Trump from being honoured with a formal state visit.
The petition reads: “Donald Trump should be allowed to enter the UK in his capacity as head of the US Government, but he should not be invited to make an official State Visit because it would cause embarrassment to Her Majesty the Queen.”
Assuming these reports are true, and given the way that Trump has treated the media here in the United States there’s little reason to believe that they aren’t, it would appear that he fails to understand how a free press is supposed to work. Additionally, I would note that if he thinks that complaining about the British press is going to intimidate them somehow he obviously doesn’t know who he’s dealing with.
