DONALD Trump has come close to apologising for promoting the work of the right-wing organisation Britain First.
The US President, in an interview with his friend Piers Morgan, the journalist and Britain’s Got Talent judge, said: “Perhaps it was a big story in the UK but in the United States it wasn’t a big story.”
He added: “If you are telling me they’re horrible people, horrible racist people, I would certainly apologise if you’d like me to do that.”
Last November, Trump retweeted three videos posted by Jayda Fransen, the deputy leader of Britain First. They purported to show attacks by radical Islamic terrorists, al though it seems unclear whether any of them did.
When Theresa May criticised Trump for sharing the videos, he doubled down, telling the Prime Minister to fight Islamic terrorism rather than focus on his tweets.
And, it seems, that half-apology now means Trump’s trip to the UK may now be on again.
He and May reportedly agreed the outline of a visit when they met in Davos, Switzerland, where they are attending the World Economic Forum.
Trump was supposed to visit London to open the new US Embassy next month, but cancelled because, he claimed, of the poor location. It’s believed Trump could now visit in July, when he is due to attend a Nato summit in Brussels.
That visit would include talks with May, and tea with the Queen.
It’s not clear if he’ll get the opportunity to come Scotland.
Trump is half-Scottish, and has considerable business interest in Aberdeenshire and Ayrshire.
If he comes to the UK just after the Nato summit ends, then his visit will coincide with The Open golf at Carnoustie.
During the interview with Morgan, Trump described Scotland as a “very special place” with “very special people”.
He said he did not know there had been talk of him being banned from entering the UK: “I hadn’t heard about banning, I think a lot of the people in your country like what I stand for, they respect what I stand for and I do stand for tough borders.”
He added: “I love Scotland. One of the biggest problems I have in winning [the presidency], I won’t be able to get back there so often. I would love to go there.
“As you know, before this happened, I would be there a lot. Very special people and a very special place.”
Trump hasn’t been to Scotland since June 2016, when he officially opened the Trump Turnberry golf course. That visit was largely overshadowed by the Brexit result and David Cameron’s resignation.
He was booed yesterday as he addressed political and business leaders a speech at the World Economic Forum in Davos
The President told the audience that his priority would always remain “America First”.
“When the United States grows, so does the world,” Trump said. “American prosperity has created countless jobs around the globe and the drive for excellence, creativity and innovation in the United States has led to important discoveries that help people everywhere live more prosperous and healthier lives.”
World Economic Forum chairman Klaus Schwab was booed when he delivered a toadying introduction for Trump, saying: “I’m aware that your strong leadership is open to misconceptions and biased interpretations.”
In Washington, Trump’s address to the global elite was largely ignored after claims that he tried to fire Robert Mueller, the special counsel overseeing the Russia investigation, and only backed down when the White House counsel threatened to resign.
The President dismissed the revelations yesterday when he arrived at the congress centre in Davos “Fake news, folks,” Trump said. “Fake news. A typical New York Times fake story.”
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