United States President Donald Trump performed golf Saturday at his course on Scotland’s coast whereas protesters across the nation took to the streets to decry his go to and accuse United Kingdom leaders of pandering to the American.
Trump and his son Eric performed with the U.S. ambassador to Britain, Warren Stephens, close to Turnberry, a historic course that the Trump household’s firm took over in 2014. Safety was tight, and protesters stored at a distance wand unseen by the group throughout Trump’s spherical. He was wearing black, with a white “USA” cap, and was noticed driving a golf cart.
The president appeared to play a gap 9 holes, cease for lunch, then head out for 9 extra. By the center of the afternoon, plainclothes safety officers started leaving, suggesting Trump was finished for the day.
Lots of of demonstrators gathered on the cobblestone and tree-lined road in entrance of the U.S. Consulate about 100 miles (160 kilometers) away in Edinburgh, Scotland’s capital. Audio system advised the gang that Trump was not welcome and criticized British Prime Minister Keir Starmer for hanging a latest commerce deal to keep away from stiff U.S. tariffs on items imported from the U.Ok.
Protests had been deliberate in different cities as environmental activists, opponents of Israel’s struggle with Hamas in Gaza and pro-Ukraine teams loosely shaped a “Cease Trump Coalition.” Anita Bhadani, an organizer, stated the protests had been “type of like a carnival of resistance.”
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June Osbourne, 52, a photographer and picture historian from Edinburgh wore a pink cloak and white hood, recalling “The Handmaid’s Story.” Osbourne held up image of Trump with “Resist” stamped over his face.
“I believe there are far too many nations which can be feeling the stress of Trump and that they really feel that they’ve to just accept him and we must always not settle for him right here,” Osbourne stated. The twin-U.S.-British citizen stated the Republican president was “the worst factor that has occurred to the world, the U.S., in many years.”
Trump’s late mom, Mary Anne MacLeod, was born on the Isle of Lewis in Scotland and the president has urged he feels at dwelling within the nation. However the protesters did their greatest to vary that.
“I don’t suppose I might simply stand by and never do something,” stated Amy White, 15, of Edinburgh, who attended along with her mother and father. She held a cardboard signal that stated “We don’t negotiate with fascists.” She stated ”so many individuals right here detest him. We’re not divided. We’re not divided by faith, or race or political allegiance, we’re simply right here collectively as a result of we hate him.”
Different demonstrators held indicators of images with Trump and Jeffrey Epstein because the fervor over recordsdata within the case has more and more annoyed the president.
Within the view of Mark Gorman, 63, of Edinburgh, “the overwhelming majority of Scots have this kind of feeling about Trump that, although he has Scottish roots, he’s a shame.” Gorman, who works in promoting, stated he got here out “as a result of I’ve deep disdain for Donald Trump and every part that he stands for.”
Saturday’s protests weren’t practically as giant because the throngs that demonstrated throughout Scotland when Trump performed at Turnberry throughout his first time period in 2018.
However, as bagpipes performed, individuals chanted “Trump Out!” and raised dozens of home made indicators that stated issues like “No pink carpet for dictators,” “We don’t need you right here” and “Cease Trump. Migrants welcome.”
One canine had an indication that stated “No treats for tyrants.”
Some on the far proper took to social media to name for gatherings supporting Trump in locations resembling Glasgow.
Trump additionally plans to speak commerce with Starmer and Ursula von der Leyen, the European Fee president. However golf is a serious focus.
The household may also go to one other Trump course close to Aberdeen in northeastern Scotland, earlier than returning to Washington on Tuesday. The Trumps will reduce the ribbon and play a brand new, second course in that space, which formally opens to the general public subsequent month.
Scottish First Minister John Swinney, who can also be set to satisfy with Trump through the go to, introduced that public cash will go to staging the 2025 Nexo Championship, beforehand identified beforehand because the Scottish Championship, at Trump’s first course close to Aberdeen subsequent month.
“The Scottish Authorities acknowledges the significance and advantages of golf and golf occasions, together with boosting tourism and our financial system,” Swinney stated.
At a protest Saturday in Aberdeen, Scottish Parliament member Maggie Chapman advised the gang of lots of: “We stand in solidarity, not solely in opposition to Trump however in opposition to every part he and his politics stand for.”
The president has lengthy lobbied for Turnberry to host the British Open, which it has not finished since he took over possession.
In a social media publish Saturday, Trump quoted the retired golfer Gary Participant as saying Turnberry was among the many “Prime 5 Biggest Golf Programs” he had performed in as an expert. The president, within the publish, misspelled town the place his golf course is positioned.
© 2025 The Canadian Press
