Move FM Global News

LONDON, U.K. – Faced with the prospect of a carnival of resistance, the U.S. President Donald Trump and his wife Melania, who landed at London Stansted Airport on Air Force One on Thursday, were immediately whisked off on a helicopter to the U.S. ambassador’s residence in London. 

Even as tall metal mesh barricades and concrete blocks were being erected around the perimeter of Winfield House, the U.S. Ambassador’s residence in central London, where Trump will spend Thursday night, the U.S. President had already indicated how he would react to the massive wave of protests that will greet him on Friday the 13th. 

Before making his way to London, as he wrapped up the contentious NATO summit in Brussels, Trump shrugged off concerns over the demonstrations in London.

He said he had “great friendships” in Britain, where his mother was born and pointed out, “Yes, there might be protests. But I believe the people in the UK, Scotland, Ireland – as you know I have property in Ireland, I have property all over – I think that those people, they like me a lot and they agree with me on immigration.”

Hours later, as he arrived at Stansted, he said he is “fine” about any protests during his visit.

Trump and his wife will now attend a dinner, hosted by the U.K. Prime Minister Theresa May, at Blenheim Palace, which is the ancestral home of celebrated U.K. wartime leader Sir Winston Churchill.

Apart from the digital entrepreneur and philanthropist Baroness Martha Lane-Fox, who has publicly refused the invitation, about 150 guests will be in attendance at the dinner at Blenheim Palace, including cabinet members and business leaders.

Despite the number of protests and protesters increasing over the last few days, May has insisted that Trump’s U.K. visit would be an opportunity to boost trade links and strengthen co-operation on security.

Downing Street has also stated that apart from discussions on trade and security links, the other key areas to be discussed between the two leaders included Brexit and the Middle East.

While May would focus on achieving a post-Brexit trade deal that she can tout as a breakthrough amid internal turmoil within her government, Trump would want to avoid any untoward confrontations.

His administration has maintained that this is set to be a “working visit” for the President, rather than a full state occasion.

On Friday, Trump is set to bypass the mass protests in London and will instead head to the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst with May to watch a joint counter-terrorism exercise by British and U.S. special forces.

He will then travel to Chequers, May’s country residence in Buckinghamshire, where he will hold talks with the foreign secretary.

On Friday afternoon, the president and the first lady will travel to Windsor to meet the Queen, before flying to Scotland to spend a private weekend at Trump’s Turnberry golf resort. 

Meanwhile, even days ahead of this highly contentious visit, law enforcement bodies in the country placed extra security to police a number of protests.

Further, the Police Federation has also warned that the visit will put “unquestionable pressure” on U.K. police forces considering that tens of thousands of people are expected to protest against the president in London on Thursday and Friday.

A similar size of protest will be carried out in Glasgow on Friday while smaller demonstrations are also expected to be held across the U.K., including Devon, Dundee, Edinburgh, Belfast, Norwich, Manchester, Leeds and Liverpool.

The country’s Police Federation has also raised formal complaints about 300 officers working during Trump’s visit having to sleep on camp beds in a gymnasium that has no hot water and restricted access to hot food.

The part of the protest that has drawn most eyeballs is the giant inflatable blimp depicting Trump as a baby, which is set to fly over Westminster for two hours on the second day of the Trump’s visit.

Police Scotland clarified on Thursday that the 19-feet tall balloon would not be allowed to fly over Trump’s Turnberry golf course.

As Trump arrived in London on Thursday, reports revealed that some protesters are ensuring their voice is heard and that their efforts are noticed by the controversial U.S. President.

Some protesters are planning to stage an “all-night noise protest” outside the barricades surrounding Winfield House later on Thursday, and those attending have been urged by organizers to “bring pots, drums and vuvuzelas.”

Last week, after Trump’s itinerary for his four-day trip to the U.K. was revealed, many critics pointed out that the President’s plans revealed his intention to avoid the protesters completely. 

However, the U.S. Ambassador to London, Woody Johnson rushed to Trump’s defense and said that the itinerary was not intentionally designed for Trump to avoid encountering throngs of protesters.

Johnson said, “The President is not avoiding anything. The President is merely trying to get as impactful a trip as he can get in a 24-hour period.”

He further pointed out that Trump “appreciates free speech” and that he was “very focused on the special relationship” between the U.S. and the U.K.

Meanwhile, commenting on the giant baby blimp and the fact that it a crowdfunding campaign for the balloon bearing Trump’s face had raised nearly $40,000 (30,000 pounds),  Sarah Elliott, chairwoman of Republicans Overseas U.K. said that she did not think Trump would be fazed by the stunt.

She reportedly said, “I think whenever his detractors go after him, it makes him double down and it actually encourages him to keep going and prove everybody wrong. So I think that’s the effect the balloon will have.”

Defending his decision to give the blimp stunt his go-ahead, London Mayor Sadiq Khan issued a statement on Thursday.

He said, “My message to those coming to the protests in London is that this must be peaceful and good-spirited. To those intent on causing trouble or breaking the law, I simply say: you are not welcome.”

He further explained, “Around the world, the far-right and nationalist populists are on the rise. This has led to a constant focus on what divides us, rather than what unites us – and the horrific scapegoating of some of the most vulnerable people in our societies.I know Londoners are resolutely opposed to the politics of fear and despair.” 

Khan also pointed out, “The U.S. has always stood by our side as a beacon for tolerance, openness and respect. This protest is not anti-American – far from it. Most of those marching on Friday will love the United States, just as I do.But having a special relationship means that we expect the highest standards from each other, and it also means speaking out when we think the values we hold dear are under threat.”