Former U.S. President Donald Trump concluded his state visit to Britain on Thursday, participating in a joint news conference with Prime Minister Keir Starmer. Both leaders extended warm praises to each other, though they did acknowledge a point of contention regarding Palestinian statehood.
An unexpected friendship seems to have blossomed between the two, despite their starkly contrasting political journeys. Starmer, a former human rights lawyer, leads the center-left Labour Party, a political opposite to Trump’s longtime ally and right-wing populist, Nigel Farage.
Nevertheless, their rapport was evident as they stood together at Chequers, the prime minister’s country residence. Trump occasionally patted Starmer’s shoulder, while Starmer meticulously crafted his responses to reporters, ensuring his comments lauded the American president and skillfully sidestepped their fundamental political differences.
The prime minister had hoped to persuade Trump toward a more assertive stance against Russian President Vladimir Putin concerning the conflict in Ukraine. He noted that they had dedicated “the best part of an hour” to discussing global affairs in private that day.
For British officials, securing this extensive one-on-one time with the former president to discuss the Ukraine war and the humanitarian crisis in Gaza was a primary objective of the state visit. However, it remains uncertain whether the substantial cost and elaborate ceremonial display of the trip yielded significant diplomatic returns on these critical issues.
Trump mentioned that Putin “has let me down,” but he refrained from directly answering questions about any specific measures he might take to further pressure the Russian president or bolster support for Ukraine. While Starmer consistently emphasized the severe threat posed by an aggressive Russia to Europe, Trump, at one point, seemed almost dismissive of the concern.
“The Russia situation, I hope we’re going to have some good news for you coming up,” Trump informed reporters. “But again, it doesn’t affect the United States. And he — look, it doesn’t so much affect you,” he added, glancing at Starmer, who maintained eye contact for a moment before looking down at his notes.
The prime minister asserted their shared commitment to finding a resolution to the conflict in Gaza between Israel and Hamas. “We are working together to end the humanitarian catastrophe in the Middle East,” Starmer affirmed.
However, when questioned about Britain’s impending recognition of Palestinian statehood, Trump stated, “I have a disagreement with the prime minister on that score,” promptly adding, “One of our few disagreements, actually.”
Trump extensively discussed the suffering of Israelis, particularly the hostages held by Hamas, but did not acknowledge the plight of Palestinians in Gaza, where Israel’s military offensive is intensifying.
When a reporter pressed him on whether he would leverage his influence on Israel to halt a war that health officials in Gaza report has claimed over 60,000 lives, Trump referenced the Hamas-led attack on Israel on October 7, 2023. Approximately 1,200 people were killed in Israel that day, with another 250 taken captive.
“People forget about Oct. 7,” he declared. “I can’t forget about it.”
This two-day excursion offered Trump a temporary reprieve from political tensions back home, especially on Wednesday, when King Charles III and Queen Camilla hosted him for a state dinner at Windsor Castle, where the former president praised the British royal family.
Yet, on Thursday, a day marked by less pomp and more substantive discussions, Trump couldn’t help but delve into U.S. politics, repeatedly criticizing his predecessor, Joseph R. Biden Jr. He also couldn’t entirely escape the shadow of Jeffrey Epstein, the convicted sex offender he once knew. Trump deflected an Epstein-related inquiry at the news conference, coming a day after activists projected large images of the two men together onto Windsor Castle.
A concrete outcome of the trip was a new technology partnership agreement signed by Trump and Starmer on Thursday. They asserted that this deal would position the United States and Britain as global leaders in artificial intelligence and other advanced technological innovations.
Starmer opened the news conference by celebrating the “unique bond” between America and Britain. His team was likely relieved that the visit concluded without any public disagreements or breakdowns in decorum. However, his remarks describing the bilateral relationship sometimes sounded more like an aspiration than an established reality, reflecting Britain’s conciliatory diplomatic strategy with Trump.
“We are united in defense and security — yes, absolutely — but we’re also united in the pursuit of peace,” Starmer stated. “It is British and American men and women side by side, changing the path of history, and turning it towards our values — towards freedom, democracy and the rule of law.”