Trump tees off in Scotland as protests, backlash grow

Former President Donald Trump arrived in Scotland this week for what he called a working trip but critics say it looks more like a taxpayer-funded PR tour Trump was spotted golfing at his Turnberry resort alongside his son Eric and U S Ambassador to the United Kingdom Warren Stephens He s also expected to cut the ribbon on a new curriculum in Aberdeenshire named after his late mother Mary Anne MacLeod who was born in Scotland The trip sparked backlash across the country Hundreds of protesters marched through Edinburgh Aberdeen and Glasgow under the banner of the Stop Trump Coalition slamming his immigration policies foreign plan stances and ongoing legal troubles Police launched one of the largest protection operations since Queen Elizabeth II s funeral at a cost to Scottish taxpayers that has drawn sharp criticism Why are we paying for this one protester shouted holding a sign that read Settlers Welcome Trump Not The front pages of Scottish newspapers captured the full spectrum of reaction to Donald Trump s visit ranging from reverent to ruthless Conservative-leaning outlets played it safe with headlines like Welcome back Mr President and Trump here for tee party framing the visit as part diplomacy part golf Others were more biting The EGO has landed mocked the spectacle while one paper highlighted his signature complaint with the headline U S President blasts windmills and migration as visit begins But the one that made the biggest splash online purely read Convicted U S felon to arrive in Scotland The upcoming day s front page Convicted US felon to arrive in Scotland pic twitter com EEwAZaPXgC The National ScotNational July Trump for his part offered a quote that summed up both the visit and his priorities It s great to be in Scotland but stop the windmills Scottish leaders and environmental groups have long criticized Trump s golf projects particularly the Aberdeenshire evolution which was built on protected dunes Promises of jobs and economic development have largely fallen flat according to local executives Despite the protests Trump s visit includes probable diplomacy He s scheduled to meet with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen to discuss a achievable pact deal including a proposed tariff reduction on European goods But for a large number of in Scotland the former president s visit landed more like a provocation than a framework tour Read more about Trump golf and windmills They re not working Trump accuses federal workers of slacking after he spent the day golfing Trump gripes on Truth Social that indictments are keeping him from PGA championship in Scotland Trump repeats attacks on windmills saying they are noisy and kill the birds The post Trump tees off in Scotland as protests backlash grow appeared first on Salon com