Donald Trump accepts second state invitation from King Charles

U.S. President Donald Trump has received an invitation to meet King Charles in Scotland to discuss a unique second state visit to the UK. During a visit to the White House on Thursday, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer presented Trump with an official letter from the monarch proposing a meeting at either Dumfries House or Balmoral Castle to go over the visit's logistics. If the meeting takes place in Scotland, it would mark Trump's first trip back since 2023, a country with which he has family and business ties. The Scottish government indicated that First Minister John Swinney, who supported rival Kamala Harris in last year’s election, would aim to strengthen connections between Scotland and the U.S. Donald Trump previously visited the UK for a three-day state visit hosted by the late Queen Elizabeth during his first presidential term in 2019. Traditionally, second-term U.S. presidents are not granted state visits and are instead invited for informal gatherings with the monarch, typically at Windsor Castle. However, King Charles' letter suggested a meeting in Scotland, where Trump owns two golf courses, to discuss plans for a second state visit. The letter proposed either Dumfries House in Ayrshire, owned by the King since 2007, or Balmoral Castle in Aberdeenshire as potential meeting locations. Trump initially seemed surprised by the letter but accepted the invitation after a brief read, expressing that it would be an honor to visit the fantastic country. John Swinney has previously mentioned he would leverage Trump's ties to Scotland to negotiate against tariffs on U.S. imports, particularly Scotch whisky. Although Swinney publicly backed Democratic nominee Harris for the 2024 election, he spoke with the new president in December and noted Trump’s eagerness to show his enthusiasm for Scotland. A spokesperson for the Scottish government stated that the First Minister would work to ensure a positive relationship with the United States, aiming to enhance social, cultural, and economic ties. The Prime Minister described it as a privilege and an honor to deliver the King's letter to Trump, expressing anticipation for welcoming him to the UK. In contrast, the Scottish Greens have voiced that Trump is not welcome in Scotland, with co-leader Patrick Harvie predicting "protests and a great deal of anger" during the visit. Harvie criticized Trump as a "dangerous, misogynistic, racist climate-change denier," calling the invitation "sickening" and questioning Swinney's ability to unite against the far right while engaging with Trump. #donaldtrump #kingcharles #trump #royalfamily