Donald Trump has arrived in the United Kingdom on what is his second State visit to the country, a distinction that has not been granted to any Head of State or Government since official visits by dignitaries to third countries began in the early 20th century. The US President arrived at Stansted Airport, where authorities from other countries usually arrive in the UK as it has a wide and discreet area to receive them appropriately and discreetly, without causing disruptions to normal air traffic due to protocol, security measures, and the rest of the paraphernalia that is part of these trips.
Trump, accompanied by his wife Melania, was greeted by a small representation consisting of the US Ambassador to the UK, Warren Stephens, the Lord-in-Waiting (whose mission is to represent the King of England at official events), and the British Foreign Secretary, Yvette Cooper.
The composition of this welcoming committee signals the differences between the two countries in their approach to international politics and also their respective political moments. Stephens is a businessman with no political or diplomatic experience, who has built his entire career in investment banking where he has led his own investment bank, Stephens Incorporated, focused on domestic US market operations. However, Stephens, like the rest of his family, is a major donor to the Republican Party and especially to Donald Trump.
Cooper, on the other hand, has just been appointed Foreign Secretary in the deep ministerial reshuffle that British Prime Minister Keir Starmer launched 10 days ago, following the resignation of his deputy in the Government and Vice President of the Labour Party, Angela Rayner. Rayner's dismissal, for concealing a property from the British Treasury, has plunged the party and the Government into chaos, sparking a rebellion among some Labour members who are openly discussing replacing the Prime Minister.
From Stansted, the Trumps were transported by a US Air Force helicopter, Marine One, to the neighboring town of Windsor. Trump is not expected to set foot on British soil during his 50-hour stay in the country. The entire visit has been meticulously organized by the Prime Minister and the Royal Household to ensure that Trump has no contact, however remote, with the British people, who generally hold a deep antipathy towards him.
Upon landing at Windsor Castle, Trump and Melania stayed there overnight but were ultimately not received by King Charles III and Camilla due to the late hour of their arrival, around 10:30 pm. Additionally, the Queen is suffering from sinusitis, which prevented her from attending the funeral of the Duchess of Kent this Tuesday, an event that the monarch did attend.
Despite the security measures, a group of activists projected images of Trump and Jeffrey Epstein onto a tower at Windsor Castle. The projected photos included Trump's police mugshot taken during one of his legal proceedings, an image of both men dancing together, and newspaper clippings. Local police announced the arrest of four individuals.
Thus, Trump will not be in London but in Windsor and at the Prime Minister's vacation residence in Chequers. He will also not take the customary carriage ride with the monarch through London but within the grounds of Windsor Castle, away from public view, and shielded by a security detail comprising thousands of agents, vehicles, and drones, which have closed off traffic not only in parts of Windsor but also its airspace. These measures are necessary as the town is currently the scene of a demonstration against Trump, and a large mobilization is expected in central London on Wednesday.
The most ceremonial day of the visit is Wednesday. Trump and Melania will be officially introduced to the Royal Family, namely Charles and Camilla, and their heirs, the Prince of Wales, William, and Kate. The day will culminate in a highly practical moment: a dinner with Starmer, the Royals, a significant portion of the latter's cabinet, and the top brass of Silicon Valley, including the presidents and CEOs of the world's three most valuable companies on the stock market: Jensen Huang (Nvidia), Satya Nadella (Microsoft), and Tim Cook (Apple).
Also in attendance will be the head of the world leader in Artificial Intelligence (AI), Sam Altman, and the world's second-richest man and owner of Oracle (parent company of Paramount Studios, CBS television network, and possibly soon CNN), Larry Ellison.
Additionally, Trump's right-hand man in economic policy, the Commerce Secretary and Wall Street financier, Howard Luttnick, and the Treasury Secretary, Scott Bessent, who the UK owes for successfully implementing the speculative attack on the pound that led to its devaluation and forced withdrawal from the European Monetary System (EMS) in 1992. At that time, Bessent worked for financier George Soros, whom Trump now says he will put in jail for opposing his policies.
The dinner will be the highlight of the economic agenda of the visit, through which Starmer aims to strengthen his image as a responsible and non-ideological technician seeking to address the UK's long-term problems. A strategy that, as the Royal guest can explain, is a surefire way to lose elections in the 21st century. For now, Starmer hopes that in addition to promises to invest in data centers (which create few jobs) in the UK, Silicon Valley will also invest in research facilities, something that currently only Ellison is doing. On Thursday, Trump will fly to Chequers for the political part of the trip.
The agenda includes the usual topics: NATO, Ukraine, Russia, Gaza, and trade, including British whisky exports to the US. It will all conclude with a press conference. Afterwards, Starmer will return to his official residence at Downing Street. Trump will fly back to the United States, where he will attend another official event: the funeral of far-right activist Charlie Kirk.