They appeared to be out of the running just a few short months ago, with Pierre Poilievre’s Conservatives holding a lead of more than 20 points over his rivals.
Advertisement
But Carney, who only took over as prime minister from his predecessor Justin Trudeau in March, oversaw a remarkable turnaround in his party’s fortunes, thanks in no small part to his strong opposition to Donald Trump.
The US president has made no secret of his desire to make Canada the 51st state of the USA, and even made them one of the first countries he imposed tariffs on as he tried to bring his neighbours to heel.
Carney made defending Canada’s independence the centrepiece of his premiership – and was handsomely rewarded by voters.
Advertisement
In his victory speech, the former governor of the Bank of England said: “President Trump is trying to break us so that America can own us, that will never ever happen.”
Carney’s fierce anti-Trump rhetoric is in stark contrast to his left-of-centre political ally Keir Starmer’s more cautious approach.
The prime minister has tried to walk a fine line between distancing himself from Trump in areas like trade tariffs and his attacks on Volodymyr Zelenskyy, while avoiding any outright criticism of the president.
Advertisement
That is because Starmer is desperate to agree a trade deal with America which he hopes will help to boost economic growth in the UK.
Lib Dem leader Ed Davey believes being anti-Trump can be a vote-winner in Britain too, starting with Thursday’s local elections.
He said: “Voters in Canada have elected a Liberal government on a clear mandate to combat Trump’s dangerous populism. Across the globe, it is liberals who are taking the lead in standing up for prosperity, security and democracy in the face of Trump, Putin and the rest.
Advertisement
“Voters in England have the chance to send a similar message on Thursday, by electing Liberal Democrat local champions to stand up for their communities against the hate-fuelled politics of Donald Trump and his bootlicker Nigel Farage.”
Luke Tryl, UK director of the More in Common think-tank, said there were lessons for Starmer to learn from Canada, but cautioned against the election result being seen as a green light for the PM to be more openly critical of Trump.
He said: “I am always nervous about reading across from elections elsewhere and here. There are various potential lessons – the fact that Carney managed to consolidate the left around him.
Advertisement
“For the moment, people tend to think Starmer is getting the balance right [on Trump].
“When Trump got in I was asked if people might want a ‘Love Actually’ Hugh Grant moment. I said I don’t think so. I think the more Trump is seen to behave recklessly, and that’s certainly the case on tariffs, there may be more demand for that.
“In any event, I think the impact on our politics will be much more marginal than in Canada, because obviously they are right next door and Trump isn’t yet asking us to become the 52nd state.”
Asked if the PM will change his approach towards Trump on the back of Carney’s victory, his spokesman said: “We look forward to working with him and Canada to further the relationship we have with Canada for the British national interest. We have a very good relationship with President Trump as well.”
Although Vladimir Putin started the conflict by invading Ukraine in 2022, the US president has repeatedly blamed Kyiv for the ongoing battle, attackedVolodymyr Zelenskyy in public and suggested the beleaguered country will have to cede occupied land in the name of peace.
Meanwhile, Trump’s ally Farage, who has previously spoken of his admiration towards Putin, has recently started to distance himself from the Russian president.
The Reform UK even said Trump’s peace plan was rewarding Putin “too much”.
Speaking to LBC’s Lewis Goodall on Sunday, shadow levelling up and housing secretary Kevin Hollinrake accused both Farage and Trump of “Putin apologism”.
He asked the Tory MP: “Do you think that is Putin apologism?”
“I absolutely do, he’s let him completely off the hook,” Hollinrake replied.
Asked if he thought the same of Trump, the Tory frontbencher said: “Some of the things Donald Trump is doing, I agree with – some of the things, I disagree with.”
Goodall noted: “Trump’s been pretty friendly with Putin as well, he’s been way more friendly with Putin than Nigel Farage.”
Advertisement
The Tory replied: “Precisely, [there are] many things I disagree with – President Trump’s position on Russia is plainly flawed, wrong.
“If you think it is Ukraine’s fault that Russia invaded a peaceful democratic nation, then I really think you need to look at some of the details behind that kind of statement.”
Goodall said: “So do you think Trump is a Putin apologist as well?”
“Well of course, he has done that. Of course he’s done that. He has said that it is Ukraine’s fault that Russia invaded and Ukraine started the war,” Hollinrake said.
The US president hit out after holding talks with Volodymyr Zelenskyy at Pope Francis’ funeral.
In a post on Truth Social, Trump said he believed Putin was “just tapping me along” as he tries to get a deal to end the Ukraine war.
He also hinted at imposing tougher economic sanctions on Russia unless a peace agreement is reached soon.
It comes just two days after Trump called on Putin to stop bombing Ukraine so they could “get the peace deal done”.
In his post on Saturday afternoon, the president said: “There was no reason for Putin to be shooting missiles into civilian areas, cities and towns, over the last few days.
“It makes me think that maybe he doesn’t want to stop the war, he’s just tapping me along, and has to be dealt with differently, through “Banking” or “Secondary Sanctions?” Too many people are dying!!!”
Meanwhile, Zelenskyy said he and Trump had enjoyed a “good meeting” in the Vatican – their first talks since their extraordinary Oval Office bust-up in February.
In a post on X, the Ukrainian president said: “We discussed a lot one on one. Hoping for results on everything we covered.
“Protecting lives of our people. Full and unconditional ceasefire. Reliable and lasting peace that will prevent another war from breaking out.
“Very symbolic meeting that has potential to become historic, if we achieve joint results.”
The US has been trying to broker peace talks between Moscow and Kyiv for months, but Vladimir Putin – who started the war in February 2022 – has repeatedly dragged his heels.
Advertisement
Even when Trump has offered to resolve the conflict on terms favourable to the Kremlin with very few concessions, Putin has resisted.
Instead, the White House has reportedly suggested Kyiv recognise Russia’s illegal annexation of the Ukrainian peninsula Crimea to secure peace.
But the Ukrainian president has already rejected this idea, telling reporters on Tuesday: “There is nothing to talk about. This violates our Constitution. This is our territory, the territory of the people of Ukraine.”
Advertisement
In a lengthy post on Truth Social on Wednesday, the US president hit back.
Trump accused Zelenskyy of “boasting” that Ukraine will not legally recognise the occupation of Crimea.
He said: “This statement is very harmful to the Peace Negotiations with Russia in that Crimea was lost years ago under the auspices of President Barack Hussein Obama, and is not even a point of discussion.
“Nobody is asking Zelenskyy to recognize Crimea as Russian Territory but, if he wants Crimea, why didn’t they fight for it eleven years ago when it was handed over to Russia without a shot being fired?”
Advertisement
He continued: “It’s inflammatory statements like Zelenskyy’s that makes it so difficult to settle this War.
“He has nothing to boast about!
“The situation for Ukraine is dire — He can have Peace or, he can fight for another three years before losing the whole Country.
“I have nothing to do with Russia, but have much to do with wanting to save, on average, five thousand Russian and Ukrainian soldiers a week, who are dying for no reason whatsoever.
Advertisement
“The statement made by Zelenskyy today will do nothing but prolong the ‘killing field,’ and nobody wants that!
“We are very close to a Deal, but the man with “no cards to play” should now, finally, GET IT DONE. I look forward to being able to help Ukraine, and Russia, get out of this Complete and Total MESS, that would have never started if I were President!”
Advertisement
Before he was re-elected last year, the US president promised to resolve the conflict within 24 hours.
Now, more than three months after his January inauguration, Trump and his top team have repeatedly threatened to withdraw from the whole peace process unless they see significant process.
Trump’s secretary of state Marco Rubio also surprised western allies when he announced – at the last minute – that he would be skipping the planned peace discussions in London on Wednesday, citing scheduling issues.
Advertisement
The whole occasion was then downgraded from a meeting between senior ministers to officials.
However, they won’t be getting them from the questions asked by reporters like Cara Castronuova, who works for Lindell TV, a news network created by My Pillow big cheese Mike Lindell.
Advertisement
Castronuova, a former boxer, became the subject of much social media mockery on Friday when she asked a question at the White House’s press briefing that seemed like it could have been composed by press secretary Karoline Leavitt herself.
“Will you guys also consider releasing the president’s fitness plan? He actually looks healthier than ever before — healthier than he did eight years ago, and I’m sure everybody in this room could agree,” Castronuova asked. “Is he working out with Bobby Kennedy and eating less McDonald’s?”
Leavitt was obviously happy to end the press gathering with a softball question like that.
“I can confirm the president is in very good shape, as you see on a near daily basis here,” she said.
REPORTER: President Trump looks healthier than ever before. I’m sure everybody in this room could agree. Is he working out with Bobby Kennedy and is he eating less McDonald’s?
","type":"rich","meta":{"author":"Aaron Rupar","author_url":"https://twitter.com/atrupar","cache_age":86400,"description":"REPORTER: President Trump looks healthier than ever before. I’m sure everybody in this room could agree. Is he working out with Bobby Kennedy and is he eating less McDonald’s?LEAVITT: I can confirm the president is in very good shape pic.twitter.com/KyeFjjsnsq— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) April 11, 2025\n\n\n","options":{"_hide_media":{"label":"Hide photos, videos, and cards","value":false},"_maxwidth":{"label":"Adjust width","placeholder":"220-550, in px","value":""},"_theme":{"value":"","values":{"dark":"Use dark theme"}}},"provider_name":"Twitter","thumbnail_height":720,"thumbnail_url":"https://pbs.twimg.com/amplify_video_thumb/1910749140474109952/img/FK_QSMryl3axxLAo.jpg:large","thumbnail_width":1280,"title":"Aaron Rupar on Twitter / X","type":"rich","url":"https://twitter.com/atrupar/status/1910749178600341672","version":"1.0"},"flags":[],"enhancements":{},"fullBleed":false,"options":{"theme":"news","device":"desktop","editionInfo":{"id":"uk","name":"U.K.","link":"https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk","locale":"en_GB"},"originalEdition":"uk","isMapi":false,"isAmp":false,"isAdsFree":false,"isVideoEntry":false,"isEntry":true,"isMt":false,"entryId":"67fa7b9de4b0493abe65e872","entryPermalink":"https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/entry/conservative-journalist-mocked-for-asking-the-cringiest-possible-trump-question_uk_67fa7b9de4b0493abe65e872","entryTagsList":"donald-trump,@us_huffpost_now,@widget-imported","sectionSlug":"politics","deptSlug":null,"sectionRedirectUrl":null,"subcategories":"","isWide":false,"headerOverride":null,"noVideoAds":false,"disableFloat":false,"isNative":false,"commercialVideo":{"provider":"custom","site_and_category":"uk.politics","package":null},"isHighline":false,"vidibleConfigValues":{"cid":"60afc140cf94592c45d7390c","disabledWithMapiEntries":false,"overrides":{"all":"60b8e525cdd90620331baaf4"},"whitelisted":["56c5f12ee4b03a39c93c9439","56c6056ee4b01f2b7e1b5f35","59bfee7f9e451049f87f550b","5acccbaac269d609ef44c529","570278d2e4b070ff77b98217","57027b4be4b070ff77b98d5c","56fe95c4e4b0041c4242016b","570279cfe4b06d08e3629954","5ba9e8821c2e65639162ccf1","5bcd9904821576674bc55ced","5d076ca127f25f504327c72e","5b35266b158f855373e28256","5ebac2e8abddfb04f877dff2","60b8e525cdd90620331baaf4","60b64354b171b7444beaff4d","60d0d8e09340d7032ad0fb1a","60d0d90f9340d7032ad0fbeb","60d0d9949340d7032ad0fed3","60d0d9f99340d7032ad10113","60d0daa69340d7032ad104cf","60d0de02b627221e9d819408"],"playlists":{"default":"57bc306888d2ff1a7f6b5579","news":"56c6dbcee4b04edee8beb49c","politics":"56c6dbcee4b04edee8beb49c","entertainment":"56c6e7f2e4b0983aa64c60fc","tech":"56c6f70ae4b043c5bdcaebf9","parents":"56cc65c2e4b0239099455b42","lifestyle":"56cc66a9e4b01f81ef94e98c"},"playerUpdates":{"56c6056ee4b01f2b7e1b5f35":"60b8e525cdd90620331baaf4","56c5f12ee4b03a39c93c9439":"60d0d8e09340d7032ad0fb1a","59bfee7f9e451049f87f550b":"60d0d90f9340d7032ad0fbeb","5acccbaac269d609ef44c529":"60d0d9949340d7032ad0fed3","5bcd9904821576674bc55ced":"60d0d9f99340d7032ad10113","5d076ca127f25f504327c72e":"60d0daa69340d7032ad104cf","5ebac2e8abddfb04f877dff2":"60d0de02b627221e9d819408"}},"connatixConfigValues":{"defaultPlayer":"16b0ecc6-802c-4120-845f-e90629812c4d","clickToPlayPlayer":"823ac03a-0f7e-4bcb-8521-a5b091ae948d","videoPagePlayer":"05041ada-93f7-4e86-9208-e03a5b19311b","defaultPlaylist":"2e062669-71b4-41df-b17a-df6b1616bc8f"},"topConnatixThumnbailSrc":"https://img.connatix.com/e4dbd23b-8fe9-4897-bef8-57f4c59d8267/1_th.jpg?crop=629:354,smart&width=629&height=354&format=jpeg&quality=60&fit=crop","customAmpComponents":[],"ampAssetsUrl":"https://amp.assets.huffpost.com","videoTraits":null,"positionInUnitCounts":{"buzz_head":{"count":0},"buzz_body":{"count":0},"buzz_bottom":{"count":0}},"positionInSubUnitCounts":{"article_body":{"count":7},"blog_summary":{"count":0},"before_you_go_content":{"count":0}},"connatixCountsHelper":{"count":1},"buzzfeedTracking":{"context_page_id":"67fa7b9de4b0493abe65e872","context_page_type":"buzz","destination":"huffpost","mode":"desktop","page_edition":"en-uk"},"tags":[{"name":"Donald Trump","slug":"donald-trump","links":{"relativeLink":"news/donald-trump","permalink":"https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/news/donald-trump","mobileWebLink":"https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/news/donald-trump"},"relegenceId":2789214,"section":{"title":"News","slug":"news"},"topic":{"title":"Donald Trump","slug":"donald-trump","overridesSectionLabel":false},"url":"https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/news/donald-trump/"}],"isLiveblogLive":null,"isLiveblog":false,"cetUnit":"buzz_body","bodyAds":["
REPORTER: President Trump looks healthier than ever before. I’m sure everybody in this room could agree. Is he working out with Bobby Kennedy and is he eating less McDonald’s?
","type":"rich","meta":{"author":"dara faye","author_url":"https://twitter.com/darafaye","cache_age":86400,"description":"Have I been misunderstanding what “being in very good shape” is all this time??— dara faye (@darafaye) April 11, 2025\n\n\n","options":{"_hide_thread":{"label":"Hide previous Tweet in conversation thread","value":true},"_maxwidth":{"label":"Adjust width","placeholder":"220-550, in px","value":""},"_theme":{"value":"","values":{"dark":"Use dark theme"}}},"provider_name":"Twitter","title":"dara faye on Twitter / X","type":"rich","url":"https://twitter.com/darafaye/status/1910761255599775884","version":"1.0"},"flags":[],"enhancements":{},"fullBleed":false,"options":{"theme":"news","device":"desktop","editionInfo":{"id":"uk","name":"U.K.","link":"https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk","locale":"en_GB"},"originalEdition":"uk","isMapi":false,"isAmp":false,"isAdsFree":false,"isVideoEntry":false,"isEntry":true,"isMt":false,"entryId":"67fa7b9de4b0493abe65e872","entryPermalink":"https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/entry/conservative-journalist-mocked-for-asking-the-cringiest-possible-trump-question_uk_67fa7b9de4b0493abe65e872","entryTagsList":"donald-trump,@us_huffpost_now,@widget-imported","sectionSlug":"politics","deptSlug":null,"sectionRedirectUrl":null,"subcategories":"","isWide":false,"headerOverride":null,"noVideoAds":false,"disableFloat":false,"isNative":false,"commercialVideo":{"provider":"custom","site_and_category":"uk.politics","package":null},"isHighline":false,"vidibleConfigValues":{"cid":"60afc140cf94592c45d7390c","disabledWithMapiEntries":false,"overrides":{"all":"60b8e525cdd90620331baaf4"},"whitelisted":["56c5f12ee4b03a39c93c9439","56c6056ee4b01f2b7e1b5f35","59bfee7f9e451049f87f550b","5acccbaac269d609ef44c529","570278d2e4b070ff77b98217","57027b4be4b070ff77b98d5c","56fe95c4e4b0041c4242016b","570279cfe4b06d08e3629954","5ba9e8821c2e65639162ccf1","5bcd9904821576674bc55ced","5d076ca127f25f504327c72e","5b35266b158f855373e28256","5ebac2e8abddfb04f877dff2","60b8e525cdd90620331baaf4","60b64354b171b7444beaff4d","60d0d8e09340d7032ad0fb1a","60d0d90f9340d7032ad0fbeb","60d0d9949340d7032ad0fed3","60d0d9f99340d7032ad10113","60d0daa69340d7032ad104cf","60d0de02b627221e9d819408"],"playlists":{"default":"57bc306888d2ff1a7f6b5579","news":"56c6dbcee4b04edee8beb49c","politics":"56c6dbcee4b04edee8beb49c","entertainment":"56c6e7f2e4b0983aa64c60fc","tech":"56c6f70ae4b043c5bdcaebf9","parents":"56cc65c2e4b0239099455b42","lifestyle":"56cc66a9e4b01f81ef94e98c"},"playerUpdates":{"56c6056ee4b01f2b7e1b5f35":"60b8e525cdd90620331baaf4","56c5f12ee4b03a39c93c9439":"60d0d8e09340d7032ad0fb1a","59bfee7f9e451049f87f550b":"60d0d90f9340d7032ad0fbeb","5acccbaac269d609ef44c529":"60d0d9949340d7032ad0fed3","5bcd9904821576674bc55ced":"60d0d9f99340d7032ad10113","5d076ca127f25f504327c72e":"60d0daa69340d7032ad104cf","5ebac2e8abddfb04f877dff2":"60d0de02b627221e9d819408"}},"connatixConfigValues":{"defaultPlayer":"16b0ecc6-802c-4120-845f-e90629812c4d","clickToPlayPlayer":"823ac03a-0f7e-4bcb-8521-a5b091ae948d","videoPagePlayer":"05041ada-93f7-4e86-9208-e03a5b19311b","defaultPlaylist":"2e062669-71b4-41df-b17a-df6b1616bc8f"},"topConnatixThumnbailSrc":"https://img.connatix.com/e4dbd23b-8fe9-4897-bef8-57f4c59d8267/1_th.jpg?crop=629:354,smart&width=629&height=354&format=jpeg&quality=60&fit=crop","customAmpComponents":[],"ampAssetsUrl":"https://amp.assets.huffpost.com","videoTraits":null,"positionInUnitCounts":{"buzz_head":{"count":0},"buzz_body":{"count":0},"buzz_bottom":{"count":0}},"positionInSubUnitCounts":{"article_body":{"count":7},"blog_summary":{"count":0},"before_you_go_content":{"count":0}},"connatixCountsHelper":{"count":1},"buzzfeedTracking":{"context_page_id":"67fa7b9de4b0493abe65e872","context_page_type":"buzz","destination":"huffpost","mode":"desktop","page_edition":"en-uk"},"tags":[{"name":"Donald Trump","slug":"donald-trump","links":{"relativeLink":"news/donald-trump","permalink":"https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/news/donald-trump","mobileWebLink":"https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/news/donald-trump"},"relegenceId":2789214,"section":{"title":"News","slug":"news"},"topic":{"title":"Donald Trump","slug":"donald-trump","overridesSectionLabel":false},"url":"https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/news/donald-trump/"}],"isLiveblogLive":null,"isLiveblog":false,"cetUnit":"buzz_body","bodyAds":["
The great leader is the most handsome man in the galaxy, is it his amazing genes or eating at McDonald’s? Brought to you by McDonald’s, you’re lovin’ it or else
— Aleksandar Djokic (Александар Джокич) (@polidemitolog) April 11, 2025
","type":"rich","meta":{"author":"Aleksandar Djokic (Александар Джокич)","author_url":"https://twitter.com/polidemitolog","cache_age":86400,"description":"The great leader is the most handsome man in the galaxy, is it his amazing genes or eating at McDonald’s? Brought to you by McDonald’s, you’re lovin’ it or else— Aleksandar Djokic (Александар Джокич) (@polidemitolog) April 11, 2025\n\n\n","options":{"_hide_thread":{"label":"Hide previous Tweet in conversation thread","value":true},"_maxwidth":{"label":"Adjust width","placeholder":"220-550, in px","value":""},"_theme":{"value":"","values":{"dark":"Use dark theme"}}},"provider_name":"Twitter","title":"Aleksandar Djokic (Александар Джокич) on Twitter / X","type":"rich","url":"https://twitter.com/polidemitolog/status/1910781074495389883","version":"1.0"},"flags":[],"enhancements":{},"fullBleed":false,"options":{"theme":"news","device":"desktop","editionInfo":{"id":"uk","name":"U.K.","link":"https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk","locale":"en_GB"},"originalEdition":"uk","isMapi":false,"isAmp":false,"isAdsFree":false,"isVideoEntry":false,"isEntry":true,"isMt":false,"entryId":"67fa7b9de4b0493abe65e872","entryPermalink":"https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/entry/conservative-journalist-mocked-for-asking-the-cringiest-possible-trump-question_uk_67fa7b9de4b0493abe65e872","entryTagsList":"donald-trump,@us_huffpost_now,@widget-imported","sectionSlug":"politics","deptSlug":null,"sectionRedirectUrl":null,"subcategories":"","isWide":false,"headerOverride":null,"noVideoAds":false,"disableFloat":false,"isNative":false,"commercialVideo":{"provider":"custom","site_and_category":"uk.politics","package":null},"isHighline":false,"vidibleConfigValues":{"cid":"60afc140cf94592c45d7390c","disabledWithMapiEntries":false,"overrides":{"all":"60b8e525cdd90620331baaf4"},"whitelisted":["56c5f12ee4b03a39c93c9439","56c6056ee4b01f2b7e1b5f35","59bfee7f9e451049f87f550b","5acccbaac269d609ef44c529","570278d2e4b070ff77b98217","57027b4be4b070ff77b98d5c","56fe95c4e4b0041c4242016b","570279cfe4b06d08e3629954","5ba9e8821c2e65639162ccf1","5bcd9904821576674bc55ced","5d076ca127f25f504327c72e","5b35266b158f855373e28256","5ebac2e8abddfb04f877dff2","60b8e525cdd90620331baaf4","60b64354b171b7444beaff4d","60d0d8e09340d7032ad0fb1a","60d0d90f9340d7032ad0fbeb","60d0d9949340d7032ad0fed3","60d0d9f99340d7032ad10113","60d0daa69340d7032ad104cf","60d0de02b627221e9d819408"],"playlists":{"default":"57bc306888d2ff1a7f6b5579","news":"56c6dbcee4b04edee8beb49c","politics":"56c6dbcee4b04edee8beb49c","entertainment":"56c6e7f2e4b0983aa64c60fc","tech":"56c6f70ae4b043c5bdcaebf9","parents":"56cc65c2e4b0239099455b42","lifestyle":"56cc66a9e4b01f81ef94e98c"},"playerUpdates":{"56c6056ee4b01f2b7e1b5f35":"60b8e525cdd90620331baaf4","56c5f12ee4b03a39c93c9439":"60d0d8e09340d7032ad0fb1a","59bfee7f9e451049f87f550b":"60d0d90f9340d7032ad0fbeb","5acccbaac269d609ef44c529":"60d0d9949340d7032ad0fed3","5bcd9904821576674bc55ced":"60d0d9f99340d7032ad10113","5d076ca127f25f504327c72e":"60d0daa69340d7032ad104cf","5ebac2e8abddfb04f877dff2":"60d0de02b627221e9d819408"}},"connatixConfigValues":{"defaultPlayer":"16b0ecc6-802c-4120-845f-e90629812c4d","clickToPlayPlayer":"823ac03a-0f7e-4bcb-8521-a5b091ae948d","videoPagePlayer":"05041ada-93f7-4e86-9208-e03a5b19311b","defaultPlaylist":"2e062669-71b4-41df-b17a-df6b1616bc8f"},"topConnatixThumnbailSrc":"https://img.connatix.com/e4dbd23b-8fe9-4897-bef8-57f4c59d8267/1_th.jpg?crop=629:354,smart&width=629&height=354&format=jpeg&quality=60&fit=crop","customAmpComponents":[],"ampAssetsUrl":"https://amp.assets.huffpost.com","videoTraits":null,"positionInUnitCounts":{"buzz_head":{"count":0},"buzz_body":{"count":0},"buzz_bottom":{"count":0}},"positionInSubUnitCounts":{"article_body":{"count":7},"blog_summary":{"count":0},"before_you_go_content":{"count":0}},"connatixCountsHelper":{"count":1},"buzzfeedTracking":{"context_page_id":"67fa7b9de4b0493abe65e872","context_page_type":"buzz","destination":"huffpost","mode":"desktop","page_edition":"en-uk"},"tags":[{"name":"Donald Trump","slug":"donald-trump","links":{"relativeLink":"news/donald-trump","permalink":"https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/news/donald-trump","mobileWebLink":"https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/news/donald-trump"},"relegenceId":2789214,"section":{"title":"News","slug":"news"},"topic":{"title":"Donald Trump","slug":"donald-trump","overridesSectionLabel":false},"url":"https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/news/donald-trump/"}],"isLiveblogLive":null,"isLiveblog":false,"cetUnit":"buzz_body","bodyAds":["
The great leader is the most handsome man in the galaxy, is it his amazing genes or eating at McDonald’s? Brought to you by McDonald’s, you’re lovin’ it or else
— Aleksandar Djokic (Александар Джокич) (@polidemitolog) April 11, 2025
— The Nicest Boy on this Website and App (@bikivindaloo) April 11, 2025
","type":"rich","meta":{"author":"The Nicest Boy on this Website and App","author_url":"https://twitter.com/bikivindaloo","cache_age":86400,"description":"How embarrassing for our nation.— The Nicest Boy on this Website and App (@bikivindaloo) April 11, 2025\n\n\n","options":{"_hide_thread":{"label":"Hide previous Tweet in conversation thread","value":true},"_maxwidth":{"label":"Adjust width","placeholder":"220-550, in px","value":""},"_theme":{"value":"","values":{"dark":"Use dark theme"}}},"provider_name":"Twitter","title":"The Nicest Boy on this Website and App on Twitter / X","type":"rich","url":"https://twitter.com/bikivindaloo/status/1910779655503962551","version":"1.0"},"flags":[],"enhancements":{},"fullBleed":false,"options":{"theme":"news","device":"desktop","editionInfo":{"id":"uk","name":"U.K.","link":"https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk","locale":"en_GB"},"originalEdition":"uk","isMapi":false,"isAmp":false,"isAdsFree":false,"isVideoEntry":false,"isEntry":true,"isMt":false,"entryId":"67fa7b9de4b0493abe65e872","entryPermalink":"https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/entry/conservative-journalist-mocked-for-asking-the-cringiest-possible-trump-question_uk_67fa7b9de4b0493abe65e872","entryTagsList":"donald-trump,@us_huffpost_now,@widget-imported","sectionSlug":"politics","deptSlug":null,"sectionRedirectUrl":null,"subcategories":"","isWide":false,"headerOverride":null,"noVideoAds":false,"disableFloat":false,"isNative":false,"commercialVideo":{"provider":"custom","site_and_category":"uk.politics","package":null},"isHighline":false,"vidibleConfigValues":{"cid":"60afc140cf94592c45d7390c","disabledWithMapiEntries":false,"overrides":{"all":"60b8e525cdd90620331baaf4"},"whitelisted":["56c5f12ee4b03a39c93c9439","56c6056ee4b01f2b7e1b5f35","59bfee7f9e451049f87f550b","5acccbaac269d609ef44c529","570278d2e4b070ff77b98217","57027b4be4b070ff77b98d5c","56fe95c4e4b0041c4242016b","570279cfe4b06d08e3629954","5ba9e8821c2e65639162ccf1","5bcd9904821576674bc55ced","5d076ca127f25f504327c72e","5b35266b158f855373e28256","5ebac2e8abddfb04f877dff2","60b8e525cdd90620331baaf4","60b64354b171b7444beaff4d","60d0d8e09340d7032ad0fb1a","60d0d90f9340d7032ad0fbeb","60d0d9949340d7032ad0fed3","60d0d9f99340d7032ad10113","60d0daa69340d7032ad104cf","60d0de02b627221e9d819408"],"playlists":{"default":"57bc306888d2ff1a7f6b5579","news":"56c6dbcee4b04edee8beb49c","politics":"56c6dbcee4b04edee8beb49c","entertainment":"56c6e7f2e4b0983aa64c60fc","tech":"56c6f70ae4b043c5bdcaebf9","parents":"56cc65c2e4b0239099455b42","lifestyle":"56cc66a9e4b01f81ef94e98c"},"playerUpdates":{"56c6056ee4b01f2b7e1b5f35":"60b8e525cdd90620331baaf4","56c5f12ee4b03a39c93c9439":"60d0d8e09340d7032ad0fb1a","59bfee7f9e451049f87f550b":"60d0d90f9340d7032ad0fbeb","5acccbaac269d609ef44c529":"60d0d9949340d7032ad0fed3","5bcd9904821576674bc55ced":"60d0d9f99340d7032ad10113","5d076ca127f25f504327c72e":"60d0daa69340d7032ad104cf","5ebac2e8abddfb04f877dff2":"60d0de02b627221e9d819408"}},"connatixConfigValues":{"defaultPlayer":"16b0ecc6-802c-4120-845f-e90629812c4d","clickToPlayPlayer":"823ac03a-0f7e-4bcb-8521-a5b091ae948d","videoPagePlayer":"05041ada-93f7-4e86-9208-e03a5b19311b","defaultPlaylist":"2e062669-71b4-41df-b17a-df6b1616bc8f"},"topConnatixThumnbailSrc":"https://img.connatix.com/e4dbd23b-8fe9-4897-bef8-57f4c59d8267/1_th.jpg?crop=629:354,smart&width=629&height=354&format=jpeg&quality=60&fit=crop","customAmpComponents":[],"ampAssetsUrl":"https://amp.assets.huffpost.com","videoTraits":null,"positionInUnitCounts":{"buzz_head":{"count":0},"buzz_body":{"count":0},"buzz_bottom":{"count":0}},"positionInSubUnitCounts":{"article_body":{"count":7},"blog_summary":{"count":0},"before_you_go_content":{"count":0}},"connatixCountsHelper":{"count":1},"buzzfeedTracking":{"context_page_id":"67fa7b9de4b0493abe65e872","context_page_type":"buzz","destination":"huffpost","mode":"desktop","page_edition":"en-uk"},"tags":[{"name":"Donald Trump","slug":"donald-trump","links":{"relativeLink":"news/donald-trump","permalink":"https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/news/donald-trump","mobileWebLink":"https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/news/donald-trump"},"relegenceId":2789214,"section":{"title":"News","slug":"news"},"topic":{"title":"Donald Trump","slug":"donald-trump","overridesSectionLabel":false},"url":"https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/news/donald-trump/"}],"isLiveblogLive":null,"isLiveblog":false,"cetUnit":"buzz_body","bodyAds":["
","type":"rich","meta":{"author":"Art Candee ","author_url":"https://twitter.com/ArtCandee","cache_age":86400,"description":"She didn’t answer the question about him working out and eating less McDonalds. So that would be a no.— Art Candee (@ArtCandee) April 11, 2025\n\n\n","options":{"_hide_thread":{"label":"Hide previous Tweet in conversation thread","value":true},"_maxwidth":{"label":"Adjust width","placeholder":"220-550, in px","value":""},"_theme":{"value":"","values":{"dark":"Use dark theme"}}},"provider_name":"Twitter","title":"Art Candee on Twitter / X","type":"rich","url":"https://twitter.com/ArtCandee/status/1910749499162525805","version":"1.0"},"flags":[],"enhancements":{},"fullBleed":false,"options":{"theme":"news","device":"desktop","editionInfo":{"id":"uk","name":"U.K.","link":"https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk","locale":"en_GB"},"originalEdition":"uk","isMapi":false,"isAmp":false,"isAdsFree":false,"isVideoEntry":false,"isEntry":true,"isMt":false,"entryId":"67fa7b9de4b0493abe65e872","entryPermalink":"https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/entry/conservative-journalist-mocked-for-asking-the-cringiest-possible-trump-question_uk_67fa7b9de4b0493abe65e872","entryTagsList":"donald-trump,@us_huffpost_now,@widget-imported","sectionSlug":"politics","deptSlug":null,"sectionRedirectUrl":null,"subcategories":"","isWide":false,"headerOverride":null,"noVideoAds":false,"disableFloat":false,"isNative":false,"commercialVideo":{"provider":"custom","site_and_category":"uk.politics","package":null},"isHighline":false,"vidibleConfigValues":{"cid":"60afc140cf94592c45d7390c","disabledWithMapiEntries":false,"overrides":{"all":"60b8e525cdd90620331baaf4"},"whitelisted":["56c5f12ee4b03a39c93c9439","56c6056ee4b01f2b7e1b5f35","59bfee7f9e451049f87f550b","5acccbaac269d609ef44c529","570278d2e4b070ff77b98217","57027b4be4b070ff77b98d5c","56fe95c4e4b0041c4242016b","570279cfe4b06d08e3629954","5ba9e8821c2e65639162ccf1","5bcd9904821576674bc55ced","5d076ca127f25f504327c72e","5b35266b158f855373e28256","5ebac2e8abddfb04f877dff2","60b8e525cdd90620331baaf4","60b64354b171b7444beaff4d","60d0d8e09340d7032ad0fb1a","60d0d90f9340d7032ad0fbeb","60d0d9949340d7032ad0fed3","60d0d9f99340d7032ad10113","60d0daa69340d7032ad104cf","60d0de02b627221e9d819408"],"playlists":{"default":"57bc306888d2ff1a7f6b5579","news":"56c6dbcee4b04edee8beb49c","politics":"56c6dbcee4b04edee8beb49c","entertainment":"56c6e7f2e4b0983aa64c60fc","tech":"56c6f70ae4b043c5bdcaebf9","parents":"56cc65c2e4b0239099455b42","lifestyle":"56cc66a9e4b01f81ef94e98c"},"playerUpdates":{"56c6056ee4b01f2b7e1b5f35":"60b8e525cdd90620331baaf4","56c5f12ee4b03a39c93c9439":"60d0d8e09340d7032ad0fb1a","59bfee7f9e451049f87f550b":"60d0d90f9340d7032ad0fbeb","5acccbaac269d609ef44c529":"60d0d9949340d7032ad0fed3","5bcd9904821576674bc55ced":"60d0d9f99340d7032ad10113","5d076ca127f25f504327c72e":"60d0daa69340d7032ad104cf","5ebac2e8abddfb04f877dff2":"60d0de02b627221e9d819408"}},"connatixConfigValues":{"defaultPlayer":"16b0ecc6-802c-4120-845f-e90629812c4d","clickToPlayPlayer":"823ac03a-0f7e-4bcb-8521-a5b091ae948d","videoPagePlayer":"05041ada-93f7-4e86-9208-e03a5b19311b","defaultPlaylist":"2e062669-71b4-41df-b17a-df6b1616bc8f"},"topConnatixThumnbailSrc":"https://img.connatix.com/e4dbd23b-8fe9-4897-bef8-57f4c59d8267/1_th.jpg?crop=629:354,smart&width=629&height=354&format=jpeg&quality=60&fit=crop","customAmpComponents":[],"ampAssetsUrl":"https://amp.assets.huffpost.com","videoTraits":null,"positionInUnitCounts":{"buzz_head":{"count":0},"buzz_body":{"count":0},"buzz_bottom":{"count":0}},"positionInSubUnitCounts":{"article_body":{"count":7},"blog_summary":{"count":0},"before_you_go_content":{"count":0}},"connatixCountsHelper":{"count":1},"buzzfeedTracking":{"context_page_id":"67fa7b9de4b0493abe65e872","context_page_type":"buzz","destination":"huffpost","mode":"desktop","page_edition":"en-uk"},"tags":[{"name":"Donald Trump","slug":"donald-trump","links":{"relativeLink":"news/donald-trump","permalink":"https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/news/donald-trump","mobileWebLink":"https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/news/donald-trump"},"relegenceId":2789214,"section":{"title":"News","slug":"news"},"topic":{"title":"Donald Trump","slug":"donald-trump","overridesSectionLabel":false},"url":"https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/news/donald-trump/"}],"isLiveblogLive":null,"isLiveblog":false,"cetUnit":"buzz_body","bodyAds":["
How much do you want to bet Americans are told by his doctor that “Trump could run a 5k today, in scorching conditions of 110 degrees, and win” if he chose to.
","type":"rich","meta":{"author":"Alicia","author_url":"https://twitter.com/aliciablackgirl","cache_age":86400,"description":"How much do you want to bet Americans are told by his doctor that “Trump could run a 5k today, in scorching conditions of 110 degrees, and win” if he chose to.— Alicia (@aliciablackgirl) April 11, 2025\n\n\n","options":{"_hide_thread":{"label":"Hide previous Tweet in conversation thread","value":true},"_maxwidth":{"label":"Adjust width","placeholder":"220-550, in px","value":""},"_theme":{"value":"","values":{"dark":"Use dark theme"}}},"provider_name":"Twitter","title":"Alicia on Twitter / X","type":"rich","url":"https://twitter.com/aliciablackgirl/status/1910775516929597860","version":"1.0"},"flags":[],"enhancements":{},"fullBleed":false,"options":{"theme":"news","device":"desktop","editionInfo":{"id":"uk","name":"U.K.","link":"https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk","locale":"en_GB"},"originalEdition":"uk","isMapi":false,"isAmp":false,"isAdsFree":false,"isVideoEntry":false,"isEntry":true,"isMt":false,"entryId":"67fa7b9de4b0493abe65e872","entryPermalink":"https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/entry/conservative-journalist-mocked-for-asking-the-cringiest-possible-trump-question_uk_67fa7b9de4b0493abe65e872","entryTagsList":"donald-trump,@us_huffpost_now,@widget-imported","sectionSlug":"politics","deptSlug":null,"sectionRedirectUrl":null,"subcategories":"","isWide":false,"headerOverride":null,"noVideoAds":false,"disableFloat":false,"isNative":false,"commercialVideo":{"provider":"custom","site_and_category":"uk.politics","package":null},"isHighline":false,"vidibleConfigValues":{"cid":"60afc140cf94592c45d7390c","disabledWithMapiEntries":false,"overrides":{"all":"60b8e525cdd90620331baaf4"},"whitelisted":["56c5f12ee4b03a39c93c9439","56c6056ee4b01f2b7e1b5f35","59bfee7f9e451049f87f550b","5acccbaac269d609ef44c529","570278d2e4b070ff77b98217","57027b4be4b070ff77b98d5c","56fe95c4e4b0041c4242016b","570279cfe4b06d08e3629954","5ba9e8821c2e65639162ccf1","5bcd9904821576674bc55ced","5d076ca127f25f504327c72e","5b35266b158f855373e28256","5ebac2e8abddfb04f877dff2","60b8e525cdd90620331baaf4","60b64354b171b7444beaff4d","60d0d8e09340d7032ad0fb1a","60d0d90f9340d7032ad0fbeb","60d0d9949340d7032ad0fed3","60d0d9f99340d7032ad10113","60d0daa69340d7032ad104cf","60d0de02b627221e9d819408"],"playlists":{"default":"57bc306888d2ff1a7f6b5579","news":"56c6dbcee4b04edee8beb49c","politics":"56c6dbcee4b04edee8beb49c","entertainment":"56c6e7f2e4b0983aa64c60fc","tech":"56c6f70ae4b043c5bdcaebf9","parents":"56cc65c2e4b0239099455b42","lifestyle":"56cc66a9e4b01f81ef94e98c"},"playerUpdates":{"56c6056ee4b01f2b7e1b5f35":"60b8e525cdd90620331baaf4","56c5f12ee4b03a39c93c9439":"60d0d8e09340d7032ad0fb1a","59bfee7f9e451049f87f550b":"60d0d90f9340d7032ad0fbeb","5acccbaac269d609ef44c529":"60d0d9949340d7032ad0fed3","5bcd9904821576674bc55ced":"60d0d9f99340d7032ad10113","5d076ca127f25f504327c72e":"60d0daa69340d7032ad104cf","5ebac2e8abddfb04f877dff2":"60d0de02b627221e9d819408"}},"connatixConfigValues":{"defaultPlayer":"16b0ecc6-802c-4120-845f-e90629812c4d","clickToPlayPlayer":"823ac03a-0f7e-4bcb-8521-a5b091ae948d","videoPagePlayer":"05041ada-93f7-4e86-9208-e03a5b19311b","defaultPlaylist":"2e062669-71b4-41df-b17a-df6b1616bc8f"},"topConnatixThumnbailSrc":"https://img.connatix.com/e4dbd23b-8fe9-4897-bef8-57f4c59d8267/1_th.jpg?crop=629:354,smart&width=629&height=354&format=jpeg&quality=60&fit=crop","customAmpComponents":[],"ampAssetsUrl":"https://amp.assets.huffpost.com","videoTraits":null,"positionInUnitCounts":{"buzz_head":{"count":0},"buzz_body":{"count":0},"buzz_bottom":{"count":0}},"positionInSubUnitCounts":{"article_body":{"count":7},"blog_summary":{"count":0},"before_you_go_content":{"count":0}},"connatixCountsHelper":{"count":1},"buzzfeedTracking":{"context_page_id":"67fa7b9de4b0493abe65e872","context_page_type":"buzz","destination":"huffpost","mode":"desktop","page_edition":"en-uk"},"tags":[{"name":"Donald Trump","slug":"donald-trump","links":{"relativeLink":"news/donald-trump","permalink":"https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/news/donald-trump","mobileWebLink":"https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/news/donald-trump"},"relegenceId":2789214,"section":{"title":"News","slug":"news"},"topic":{"title":"Donald Trump","slug":"donald-trump","overridesSectionLabel":false},"url":"https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/news/donald-trump/"}],"isLiveblogLive":null,"isLiveblog":false,"cetUnit":"buzz_body","bodyAds":["
How much do you want to bet Americans are told by his doctor that “Trump could run a 5k today, in scorching conditions of 110 degrees, and win” if he chose to.
","type":"rich","meta":{"author":"Zach Wilson","author_url":"https://twitter.com/televisionaryZW","cache_age":86400,"description":"\"The Emperor’s clothes have never looked better, has he been working out?\"— Zach Wilson (@televisionaryZW) April 11, 2025\n\n\n","options":{"_hide_thread":{"label":"Hide previous Tweet in conversation thread","value":true},"_maxwidth":{"label":"Adjust width","placeholder":"220-550, in px","value":""},"_theme":{"value":"","values":{"dark":"Use dark theme"}}},"provider_name":"Twitter","title":"Zach Wilson on Twitter / X","type":"rich","url":"https://twitter.com/televisionaryZW/status/1910749597351514546","version":"1.0"},"flags":[],"enhancements":{},"fullBleed":false,"options":{"theme":"news","device":"desktop","editionInfo":{"id":"uk","name":"U.K.","link":"https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk","locale":"en_GB"},"originalEdition":"uk","isMapi":false,"isAmp":false,"isAdsFree":false,"isVideoEntry":false,"isEntry":true,"isMt":false,"entryId":"67fa7b9de4b0493abe65e872","entryPermalink":"https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/entry/conservative-journalist-mocked-for-asking-the-cringiest-possible-trump-question_uk_67fa7b9de4b0493abe65e872","entryTagsList":"donald-trump,@us_huffpost_now,@widget-imported","sectionSlug":"politics","deptSlug":null,"sectionRedirectUrl":null,"subcategories":"","isWide":false,"headerOverride":null,"noVideoAds":false,"disableFloat":false,"isNative":false,"commercialVideo":{"provider":"custom","site_and_category":"uk.politics","package":null},"isHighline":false,"vidibleConfigValues":{"cid":"60afc140cf94592c45d7390c","disabledWithMapiEntries":false,"overrides":{"all":"60b8e525cdd90620331baaf4"},"whitelisted":["56c5f12ee4b03a39c93c9439","56c6056ee4b01f2b7e1b5f35","59bfee7f9e451049f87f550b","5acccbaac269d609ef44c529","570278d2e4b070ff77b98217","57027b4be4b070ff77b98d5c","56fe95c4e4b0041c4242016b","570279cfe4b06d08e3629954","5ba9e8821c2e65639162ccf1","5bcd9904821576674bc55ced","5d076ca127f25f504327c72e","5b35266b158f855373e28256","5ebac2e8abddfb04f877dff2","60b8e525cdd90620331baaf4","60b64354b171b7444beaff4d","60d0d8e09340d7032ad0fb1a","60d0d90f9340d7032ad0fbeb","60d0d9949340d7032ad0fed3","60d0d9f99340d7032ad10113","60d0daa69340d7032ad104cf","60d0de02b627221e9d819408"],"playlists":{"default":"57bc306888d2ff1a7f6b5579","news":"56c6dbcee4b04edee8beb49c","politics":"56c6dbcee4b04edee8beb49c","entertainment":"56c6e7f2e4b0983aa64c60fc","tech":"56c6f70ae4b043c5bdcaebf9","parents":"56cc65c2e4b0239099455b42","lifestyle":"56cc66a9e4b01f81ef94e98c"},"playerUpdates":{"56c6056ee4b01f2b7e1b5f35":"60b8e525cdd90620331baaf4","56c5f12ee4b03a39c93c9439":"60d0d8e09340d7032ad0fb1a","59bfee7f9e451049f87f550b":"60d0d90f9340d7032ad0fbeb","5acccbaac269d609ef44c529":"60d0d9949340d7032ad0fed3","5bcd9904821576674bc55ced":"60d0d9f99340d7032ad10113","5d076ca127f25f504327c72e":"60d0daa69340d7032ad104cf","5ebac2e8abddfb04f877dff2":"60d0de02b627221e9d819408"}},"connatixConfigValues":{"defaultPlayer":"16b0ecc6-802c-4120-845f-e90629812c4d","clickToPlayPlayer":"823ac03a-0f7e-4bcb-8521-a5b091ae948d","videoPagePlayer":"05041ada-93f7-4e86-9208-e03a5b19311b","defaultPlaylist":"2e062669-71b4-41df-b17a-df6b1616bc8f"},"topConnatixThumnbailSrc":"https://img.connatix.com/e4dbd23b-8fe9-4897-bef8-57f4c59d8267/1_th.jpg?crop=629:354,smart&width=629&height=354&format=jpeg&quality=60&fit=crop","customAmpComponents":[],"ampAssetsUrl":"https://amp.assets.huffpost.com","videoTraits":null,"positionInUnitCounts":{"buzz_head":{"count":0},"buzz_body":{"count":0},"buzz_bottom":{"count":0}},"positionInSubUnitCounts":{"article_body":{"count":7},"blog_summary":{"count":0},"before_you_go_content":{"count":0}},"connatixCountsHelper":{"count":1},"buzzfeedTracking":{"context_page_id":"67fa7b9de4b0493abe65e872","context_page_type":"buzz","destination":"huffpost","mode":"desktop","page_edition":"en-uk"},"tags":[{"name":"Donald Trump","slug":"donald-trump","links":{"relativeLink":"news/donald-trump","permalink":"https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/news/donald-trump","mobileWebLink":"https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/news/donald-trump"},"relegenceId":2789214,"section":{"title":"News","slug":"news"},"topic":{"title":"Donald Trump","slug":"donald-trump","overridesSectionLabel":false},"url":"https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/news/donald-trump/"}],"isLiveblogLive":null,"isLiveblog":false,"cetUnit":"buzz_body","bodyAds":["
","type":"rich","meta":{"author":"Machine Pun Kelly ","author_url":"https://twitter.com/KellyScaletta","cache_age":86400,"description":"Trump’s blood type is ketchup.— Machine Pun Kelly (@KellyScaletta) April 11, 2025\n\n\n","options":{"_hide_thread":{"label":"Hide previous Tweet in conversation thread","value":true},"_maxwidth":{"label":"Adjust width","placeholder":"220-550, in px","value":""},"_theme":{"value":"","values":{"dark":"Use dark theme"}}},"provider_name":"Twitter","title":"Machine Pun Kelly on Twitter / X","type":"rich","url":"https://twitter.com/KellyScaletta/status/1910756757002920137","version":"1.0"},"flags":[],"enhancements":{},"fullBleed":false,"options":{"theme":"news","device":"desktop","editionInfo":{"id":"uk","name":"U.K.","link":"https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk","locale":"en_GB"},"originalEdition":"uk","isMapi":false,"isAmp":false,"isAdsFree":false,"isVideoEntry":false,"isEntry":true,"isMt":false,"entryId":"67fa7b9de4b0493abe65e872","entryPermalink":"https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/entry/conservative-journalist-mocked-for-asking-the-cringiest-possible-trump-question_uk_67fa7b9de4b0493abe65e872","entryTagsList":"donald-trump,@us_huffpost_now,@widget-imported","sectionSlug":"politics","deptSlug":null,"sectionRedirectUrl":null,"subcategories":"","isWide":false,"headerOverride":null,"noVideoAds":false,"disableFloat":false,"isNative":false,"commercialVideo":{"provider":"custom","site_and_category":"uk.politics","package":null},"isHighline":false,"vidibleConfigValues":{"cid":"60afc140cf94592c45d7390c","disabledWithMapiEntries":false,"overrides":{"all":"60b8e525cdd90620331baaf4"},"whitelisted":["56c5f12ee4b03a39c93c9439","56c6056ee4b01f2b7e1b5f35","59bfee7f9e451049f87f550b","5acccbaac269d609ef44c529","570278d2e4b070ff77b98217","57027b4be4b070ff77b98d5c","56fe95c4e4b0041c4242016b","570279cfe4b06d08e3629954","5ba9e8821c2e65639162ccf1","5bcd9904821576674bc55ced","5d076ca127f25f504327c72e","5b35266b158f855373e28256","5ebac2e8abddfb04f877dff2","60b8e525cdd90620331baaf4","60b64354b171b7444beaff4d","60d0d8e09340d7032ad0fb1a","60d0d90f9340d7032ad0fbeb","60d0d9949340d7032ad0fed3","60d0d9f99340d7032ad10113","60d0daa69340d7032ad104cf","60d0de02b627221e9d819408"],"playlists":{"default":"57bc306888d2ff1a7f6b5579","news":"56c6dbcee4b04edee8beb49c","politics":"56c6dbcee4b04edee8beb49c","entertainment":"56c6e7f2e4b0983aa64c60fc","tech":"56c6f70ae4b043c5bdcaebf9","parents":"56cc65c2e4b0239099455b42","lifestyle":"56cc66a9e4b01f81ef94e98c"},"playerUpdates":{"56c6056ee4b01f2b7e1b5f35":"60b8e525cdd90620331baaf4","56c5f12ee4b03a39c93c9439":"60d0d8e09340d7032ad0fb1a","59bfee7f9e451049f87f550b":"60d0d90f9340d7032ad0fbeb","5acccbaac269d609ef44c529":"60d0d9949340d7032ad0fed3","5bcd9904821576674bc55ced":"60d0d9f99340d7032ad10113","5d076ca127f25f504327c72e":"60d0daa69340d7032ad104cf","5ebac2e8abddfb04f877dff2":"60d0de02b627221e9d819408"}},"connatixConfigValues":{"defaultPlayer":"16b0ecc6-802c-4120-845f-e90629812c4d","clickToPlayPlayer":"823ac03a-0f7e-4bcb-8521-a5b091ae948d","videoPagePlayer":"05041ada-93f7-4e86-9208-e03a5b19311b","defaultPlaylist":"2e062669-71b4-41df-b17a-df6b1616bc8f"},"topConnatixThumnbailSrc":"https://img.connatix.com/e4dbd23b-8fe9-4897-bef8-57f4c59d8267/1_th.jpg?crop=629:354,smart&width=629&height=354&format=jpeg&quality=60&fit=crop","customAmpComponents":[],"ampAssetsUrl":"https://amp.assets.huffpost.com","videoTraits":null,"positionInUnitCounts":{"buzz_head":{"count":0},"buzz_body":{"count":0},"buzz_bottom":{"count":0}},"positionInSubUnitCounts":{"article_body":{"count":7},"blog_summary":{"count":0},"before_you_go_content":{"count":0}},"connatixCountsHelper":{"count":1},"buzzfeedTracking":{"context_page_id":"67fa7b9de4b0493abe65e872","context_page_type":"buzz","destination":"huffpost","mode":"desktop","page_edition":"en-uk"},"tags":[{"name":"Donald Trump","slug":"donald-trump","links":{"relativeLink":"news/donald-trump","permalink":"https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/news/donald-trump","mobileWebLink":"https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/news/donald-trump"},"relegenceId":2789214,"section":{"title":"News","slug":"news"},"topic":{"title":"Donald Trump","slug":"donald-trump","overridesSectionLabel":false},"url":"https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/news/donald-trump/"}],"isLiveblogLive":null,"isLiveblog":false,"cetUnit":"buzz_body","bodyAds":["
","type":"rich","meta":{"author":"Richard Hanania","author_url":"https://twitter.com/RichardHanania","cache_age":86400,"description":"My God. You used to complain about the media.Look at the new rightoid media. Literally questions about how hot Trump looks. This kind of worship was funny and had an ironic flavor in 2016. Now it’s literally how we’re governed. pic.twitter.com/fniwoOTI9l— Richard Hanania (@RichardHanania) April 11, 2025\n\n\n","options":{"_hide_media":{"label":"Hide photos, videos, and cards","value":false},"_maxwidth":{"label":"Adjust width","placeholder":"220-550, in px","value":""},"_theme":{"value":"","values":{"dark":"Use dark theme"}}},"provider_name":"Twitter","thumbnail_height":720,"thumbnail_url":"https://pbs.twimg.com/amplify_video_thumb/1910749140474109952/img/FK_QSMryl3axxLAo.jpg:large","thumbnail_width":1280,"title":"Richard Hanania on Twitter / X","type":"rich","url":"https://twitter.com/RichardHanania/status/1910753629449101663","version":"1.0"},"flags":[],"enhancements":{},"fullBleed":false,"options":{"theme":"news","device":"desktop","editionInfo":{"id":"uk","name":"U.K.","link":"https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk","locale":"en_GB"},"originalEdition":"uk","isMapi":false,"isAmp":false,"isAdsFree":false,"isVideoEntry":false,"isEntry":true,"isMt":false,"entryId":"67fa7b9de4b0493abe65e872","entryPermalink":"https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/entry/conservative-journalist-mocked-for-asking-the-cringiest-possible-trump-question_uk_67fa7b9de4b0493abe65e872","entryTagsList":"donald-trump,@us_huffpost_now,@widget-imported","sectionSlug":"politics","deptSlug":null,"sectionRedirectUrl":null,"subcategories":"","isWide":false,"headerOverride":null,"noVideoAds":false,"disableFloat":false,"isNative":false,"commercialVideo":{"provider":"custom","site_and_category":"uk.politics","package":null},"isHighline":false,"vidibleConfigValues":{"cid":"60afc140cf94592c45d7390c","disabledWithMapiEntries":false,"overrides":{"all":"60b8e525cdd90620331baaf4"},"whitelisted":["56c5f12ee4b03a39c93c9439","56c6056ee4b01f2b7e1b5f35","59bfee7f9e451049f87f550b","5acccbaac269d609ef44c529","570278d2e4b070ff77b98217","57027b4be4b070ff77b98d5c","56fe95c4e4b0041c4242016b","570279cfe4b06d08e3629954","5ba9e8821c2e65639162ccf1","5bcd9904821576674bc55ced","5d076ca127f25f504327c72e","5b35266b158f855373e28256","5ebac2e8abddfb04f877dff2","60b8e525cdd90620331baaf4","60b64354b171b7444beaff4d","60d0d8e09340d7032ad0fb1a","60d0d90f9340d7032ad0fbeb","60d0d9949340d7032ad0fed3","60d0d9f99340d7032ad10113","60d0daa69340d7032ad104cf","60d0de02b627221e9d819408"],"playlists":{"default":"57bc306888d2ff1a7f6b5579","news":"56c6dbcee4b04edee8beb49c","politics":"56c6dbcee4b04edee8beb49c","entertainment":"56c6e7f2e4b0983aa64c60fc","tech":"56c6f70ae4b043c5bdcaebf9","parents":"56cc65c2e4b0239099455b42","lifestyle":"56cc66a9e4b01f81ef94e98c"},"playerUpdates":{"56c6056ee4b01f2b7e1b5f35":"60b8e525cdd90620331baaf4","56c5f12ee4b03a39c93c9439":"60d0d8e09340d7032ad0fb1a","59bfee7f9e451049f87f550b":"60d0d90f9340d7032ad0fbeb","5acccbaac269d609ef44c529":"60d0d9949340d7032ad0fed3","5bcd9904821576674bc55ced":"60d0d9f99340d7032ad10113","5d076ca127f25f504327c72e":"60d0daa69340d7032ad104cf","5ebac2e8abddfb04f877dff2":"60d0de02b627221e9d819408"}},"connatixConfigValues":{"defaultPlayer":"16b0ecc6-802c-4120-845f-e90629812c4d","clickToPlayPlayer":"823ac03a-0f7e-4bcb-8521-a5b091ae948d","videoPagePlayer":"05041ada-93f7-4e86-9208-e03a5b19311b","defaultPlaylist":"2e062669-71b4-41df-b17a-df6b1616bc8f"},"topConnatixThumnbailSrc":"https://img.connatix.com/e4dbd23b-8fe9-4897-bef8-57f4c59d8267/1_th.jpg?crop=629:354,smart&width=629&height=354&format=jpeg&quality=60&fit=crop","customAmpComponents":[],"ampAssetsUrl":"https://amp.assets.huffpost.com","videoTraits":null,"positionInUnitCounts":{"buzz_head":{"count":0},"buzz_body":{"count":0},"buzz_bottom":{"count":0}},"positionInSubUnitCounts":{"article_body":{"count":7},"blog_summary":{"count":0},"before_you_go_content":{"count":0}},"connatixCountsHelper":{"count":1},"buzzfeedTracking":{"context_page_id":"67fa7b9de4b0493abe65e872","context_page_type":"buzz","destination":"huffpost","mode":"desktop","page_edition":"en-uk"},"tags":[{"name":"Donald Trump","slug":"donald-trump","links":{"relativeLink":"news/donald-trump","permalink":"https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/news/donald-trump","mobileWebLink":"https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/news/donald-trump"},"relegenceId":2789214,"section":{"title":"News","slug":"news"},"topic":{"title":"Donald Trump","slug":"donald-trump","overridesSectionLabel":false},"url":"https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/news/donald-trump/"}],"isLiveblogLive":null,"isLiveblog":false,"cetUnit":"buzz_body","bodyAds":["
Keir Starmer was cornered by a journalist today over his lack of contact with Donald Trump since the US president unveiled his new trade tariffs.
The president hit the UK with a baseline 10% tax on imports heading into the US on April 2.
That came on top of his 25% global levy on cars, steel and aluminium products.
While the 10% tax was much less than many other trading partners – the EU was slapped with a 20% tariff – it was still more than some, such as Russia, who got away without any new tariffs at all.
Advertisement
Then Trump U-turned this week and announced most tariffs would be reduced to 10%, aside from China – taking away any trade advantage the president had handed to the UK had over competitors altogether.
So ITV News’ Carl Dinnen asked the prime minister today in Doncaster: “Have you spoken to President Trump since he put a 10% tariffs on all goods coming from here to the United States?”
Starmer replied: “My team are in contact with the President’s team every day.”
“So you haven’t spoken to him?” Dinnen pushed.
The PM hit back: “Well, I’ve spoken to him frequently both on the phone and I’ve met him a number of times.”
Advertisement
The reporter said: “Yeah but not since he put the tariffs on.”
Starmer replied: “The teams are discussing every day, and seeking to do what we can to mitigate the tariffs –”
Dinnen cut in: “With respect prime minister, it feels like he’s not taking your calls. Is that what’s happening?”
The prime minister pushed back: “No, not at all, you have to understand that the UK and the US – our teams talk all of the time, whether that’s on defence, on security, on intelligence, and on trade, on a deal.
Advertisement
“That is constantly going on. That’s what you would expect of two very close allies. But at the same time, I’m clear this is a change that, in my view, isn’t temporary, and therefore we’ve got to do the hard graft of making sure we are turbocharging our own economy.”
He listed the work he’s been focused on in the UK and his conversations with other world leaders to “lower trade barriers”.
“My focus every day has to be on what’s in the national interest in the United Kingdom,” the prime minister said.
Advertisement
Starmer has been phoning plenty of other world leaders since Trump’s “Liberation Day” announcement on April 2.
That includes the Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia Mohammed bin Salman, the prime minister of Singapore Lawrence Wong, the prime minister of Italy Giorgia Meloni and the prime minister of Australia Anthony Albanese.
He has also spoken to President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and leader of the German Christian Democratic Union party Friedrich Merz.
Advertisement
But, despite Trump’s apparent silence towards the UK, Starmer has avoided criticising the president directly, only admitting that he is “disappointed” by the decision.
The UK is pushing to secure a trade deal with the States, and hoping it could mean Britain secures some tariff exemptions, too.
‘With respect prime minister, it feels like Trump’s not taking your calls…’@carldinnen grills Starmer on whether he’s spoken to Donald Trump since he put 10% tariffs on the UK
","type":"rich","meta":{"author":"ITVPolitics","author_url":"https://twitter.com/ITVNewsPolitics","cache_age":86400,"description":"’With respect prime minister, it feels like Trump’s not taking your calls…’@carldinnen grills Starmer on whether he’s spoken to Donald Trump since he put 10% tariffs on the UKThe PM insists ‘my team are in contact with the President’s team every day’ pic.twitter.com/ZsABY10wkw— ITVPolitics (@ITVNewsPolitics) April 10, 2025\n\n\n","options":{"_hide_media":{"label":"Hide photos, videos, and cards","value":false},"_maxwidth":{"label":"Adjust width","placeholder":"220-550, in px","value":""},"_theme":{"value":"","values":{"dark":"Use dark theme"}}},"provider_name":"Twitter","thumbnail_height":720,"thumbnail_url":"https://pbs.twimg.com/amplify_video_thumb/1910339721202421761/img/PEhB7l39_IwaICCh.jpg:large","thumbnail_width":1280,"title":"ITVPolitics on Twitter / X","type":"rich","url":"https://twitter.com/ITVNewsPolitics/status/1910339815251320960","version":"1.0"},"flags":[],"enhancements":{},"fullBleed":false,"options":{"theme":"news","device":"desktop","editionInfo":{"id":"uk","name":"U.K.","link":"https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk","locale":"en_GB"},"originalEdition":"uk","isMapi":false,"isAmp":false,"isAdsFree":false,"isVideoEntry":false,"isEntry":true,"isMt":false,"entryId":"67f7d71de4b0eac07502f332","entryPermalink":"https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/entry/starmer-dodges-questions-about-lack-of-communication-with-trump_uk_67f7d71de4b0eac07502f332","entryTagsList":"donald-trump,keir-starmer,economy,tariffs,itv-news,@ai_seo_headline","sectionSlug":"politics","deptSlug":null,"sectionRedirectUrl":null,"subcategories":"","isWide":false,"headerOverride":null,"noVideoAds":false,"disableFloat":false,"isNative":false,"commercialVideo":{"provider":"custom","site_and_category":"uk.politics","package":null},"isHighline":false,"vidibleConfigValues":{"cid":"60afc140cf94592c45d7390c","disabledWithMapiEntries":false,"overrides":{"all":"60b8e525cdd90620331baaf4"},"whitelisted":["56c5f12ee4b03a39c93c9439","56c6056ee4b01f2b7e1b5f35","59bfee7f9e451049f87f550b","5acccbaac269d609ef44c529","570278d2e4b070ff77b98217","57027b4be4b070ff77b98d5c","56fe95c4e4b0041c4242016b","570279cfe4b06d08e3629954","5ba9e8821c2e65639162ccf1","5bcd9904821576674bc55ced","5d076ca127f25f504327c72e","5b35266b158f855373e28256","5ebac2e8abddfb04f877dff2","60b8e525cdd90620331baaf4","60b64354b171b7444beaff4d","60d0d8e09340d7032ad0fb1a","60d0d90f9340d7032ad0fbeb","60d0d9949340d7032ad0fed3","60d0d9f99340d7032ad10113","60d0daa69340d7032ad104cf","60d0de02b627221e9d819408"],"playlists":{"default":"57bc306888d2ff1a7f6b5579","news":"56c6dbcee4b04edee8beb49c","politics":"56c6dbcee4b04edee8beb49c","entertainment":"56c6e7f2e4b0983aa64c60fc","tech":"56c6f70ae4b043c5bdcaebf9","parents":"56cc65c2e4b0239099455b42","lifestyle":"56cc66a9e4b01f81ef94e98c"},"playerUpdates":{"56c6056ee4b01f2b7e1b5f35":"60b8e525cdd90620331baaf4","56c5f12ee4b03a39c93c9439":"60d0d8e09340d7032ad0fb1a","59bfee7f9e451049f87f550b":"60d0d90f9340d7032ad0fbeb","5acccbaac269d609ef44c529":"60d0d9949340d7032ad0fed3","5bcd9904821576674bc55ced":"60d0d9f99340d7032ad10113","5d076ca127f25f504327c72e":"60d0daa69340d7032ad104cf","5ebac2e8abddfb04f877dff2":"60d0de02b627221e9d819408"}},"connatixConfigValues":{"defaultPlayer":"16b0ecc6-802c-4120-845f-e90629812c4d","clickToPlayPlayer":"823ac03a-0f7e-4bcb-8521-a5b091ae948d","videoPagePlayer":"05041ada-93f7-4e86-9208-e03a5b19311b","defaultPlaylist":"2e062669-71b4-41df-b17a-df6b1616bc8f"},"topConnatixThumnbailSrc":"data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAAAEAAAABCAQAAAC1HAwCAAAAC0lEQVR42mNkYAAAAAYAAjCB0C8AAAAASUVORK5CYII=","customAmpComponents":[],"ampAssetsUrl":"https://amp.assets.huffpost.com","videoTraits":null,"positionInUnitCounts":{"buzz_head":{"count":0},"buzz_body":{"count":0},"buzz_bottom":{"count":0}},"positionInSubUnitCounts":{"article_body":{"count":6},"blog_summary":{"count":0},"before_you_go_content":{"count":0}},"connatixCountsHelper":{"count":0},"buzzfeedTracking":{"context_page_id":"67f7d71de4b0eac07502f332","context_page_type":"buzz","destination":"huffpost","mode":"desktop","page_edition":"en-uk"},"tags":[{"name":"Donald Trump","slug":"donald-trump","links":{"relativeLink":"news/donald-trump","permalink":"https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/news/donald-trump","mobileWebLink":"https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/news/donald-trump"},"section":{"title":"News","slug":"news"},"topic":{"title":"Donald Trump","slug":"donald-trump","overridesSectionLabel":false},"url":"https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/news/donald-trump/"},{"name":"keir starmer","slug":"keir-starmer","links":{"relativeLink":"news/keir-starmer","permalink":"https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/news/keir-starmer","mobileWebLink":"https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/news/keir-starmer"},"url":"https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/news/keir-starmer/"},{"name":"Economy","slug":"economy","links":{"relativeLink":"news/economy","permalink":"https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/news/economy","mobileWebLink":"https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/news/economy"},"relegenceSubjectId":979329,"url":"https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/news/economy/"},{"name":"tariffs","slug":"tariffs","links":{"relativeLink":"news/tariffs","permalink":"https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/news/tariffs","mobileWebLink":"https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/news/tariffs"},"url":"https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/news/tariffs/"},{"name":"ITV News","slug":"itv-news","links":{"relativeLink":"news/itv-news","permalink":"https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/news/itv-news","mobileWebLink":"https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/news/itv-news"},"url":"https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/news/itv-news/"}],"isLiveblogLive":null,"isLiveblog":false,"cetUnit":"buzz_body","bodyAds":["
‘With respect prime minister, it feels like Trump’s not taking your calls…’@carldinnen grills Starmer on whether he’s spoken to Donald Trump since he put 10% tariffs on the UK
They ransacked federal agencies and axed jobs together, but US President Donald Trump’s expanding tariffs are apparently too much for even right-hand man Elon Musk.
So much so that Musk privately appealed to Trump to reverse the market-tanking measures in an “attempted intervention,” The Washington Post reported on Monday, citing people familiar with the matter.
But Musk’s alleged entreaty apparently didn’t work because Trump continued to saber-rattle on the trade war front, threatening to tack on 50% tariffs for Chinese goods.
Musk has expressed misgivings about the sweeping tariffs on his X platform but aimed his criticism at the likes of Trump adviser Peter Navarro, who is behind the strategy.
The Post dubbed Musk’s disagreement with the president as their “highest-profile disagreement” since Trump named him the leader of the so-called Department of Government Efficiency.
On Monday, Musk struck a somewhat conciliatory tone on the social platform he owns. He shared a post from a US trade rep that supported the “historic” tariffs and listed “unfair” trade practices of exporters. “Good points,” Musk wrote.
As a piece of political theatre, it took some beating.
Sitting down in the Oval Office for his first face-to-face meeting with Donald Trump since his re-election, Keir Starmer reached into the inside pocket of his suit and produced an envelope.
The prime minister could barely contain his excitement as he told the president: “It is my pleasure to bring from His Majesty the King a letter – he sends his best wishes and his regards, of course – but he also asked me to bear this letter and bring it to you.”
Advertisement
In it, King Charles invited Trump to come to the UK for a second state visit, an unprecedented honour for a sitting president.
“The answer is yes,” Trump told the PM. “I look forward to being there and honouring the King.”
But if Starmer hoped that appealing to Trump’s love of the Royal Family would spare the UK when it came to his “reciprocal” tariffs, he was very much mistaken.
And while that was less than the levy imposed on many other nations, and the EU, it still has the potential to cause huge damage to the UK economy and send unemployment soaring.
HuffPost UK can reveal that Trump’s actions – which have also sent markets around the world into freefall and increased the chances of a global recession – have breathed new life into the campaign to block his state visit.
Thousands of voters have so far backed a campaign set up by the Stop Trump Coalition in the wake of the tariff announcement, filling in an online form to lobby their local MP.
Advertisement
“Donald Trump has started a global trade war,” say the group. “This threatens to cause a new worldwide recession. It can’t be allowed to succeed.
“The Starmer strategy of trying to be Trump’s friend isn’t working. It is only holding the government back from responding to Trump’s tariffs, or criticising the other outrageous actions he takes daily.
“It is time to cancel the visit and stand up for ourselves.”
While Trump’s invitation was officially a decision for the King alone, everyone knows that No.10 was the driving force behind it.
This has allowed Downing Street to insist that it is ultimately a decision for Buckingham Palace when – or if – the visit does end up going ahead.
A poll by Ipsos taken before Trump’s tariff announcement showed that the British public are evenly split on whether we should be rolling out the red carpet for him once again. Some 46% were in favour, with 44% against.
Advertisement
Keiran Pedley, director of UK politics for the company, said Starmer now “faces a delicate balancing act”.
“The US president is unpopular in Britain and the public were already split down the middle on whether the visit should go ahead last month.,” he told HuffPost UK.
“It is hard to see how his announcements on tariffs would have made the visit more popular. However, there are political and diplomatic realities to contend with, and Starmer will be keen to get the balance right.”
Trump unveiled the tariffs he was slapping on countries around the world at a White House press conference.
via Associated Press
The PM does have plenty of political cover at Westminster, however, with even parties which are instinctively hostile to Trump refusing to join the growing clamour for the state visit to be cancelled.
Calum Miller, the Lib Dems’ foreign affairs spokesperson, said: “Trump has turned his nose up at the special relationship between the UK and the US by slapping the same tariffs on Britain as he has on Iran.
“His appalling treatment of President Zelenskyy still looms large in many of our minds, so I understand how great the temptation is to cancel his state visit.
“But we have to remember that Trump thinks of himself as a ‘deals’ man. The one thing he thinks he understands is a negotiation – and the state visit is our ace in the hole when it comes to dealing with the president.
“The government should keep all options open and be tough in talks ahead of any visit to try to end this trade war before it starts.”
Carla Denyer, co-leader of the Greens, said the visit should not have been offered in the first place, but stopped short of saying it should not happen.
“I can’t imagine many Brits will be thrilled to see Starmer rolling out the red carpet for a man that has proposed the ethnic cleansing of Gaza, blamed Zelenskyy for the war in Ukraine, and is now wreaking havoc on the global economy with his tariffs,” she said.
Trump with Queen Elizabeth II laugh during a Buckingham Palace banquet at his last state visit to the UK in 2019.
via Associated Press
Advertisement
It may well be that the solution for the PM will be found in a classically British political fudge.
Would it really be all that surprising if no suitable date could be found in the King’s packed diary to squeeze in the visit before Trump leaves office in 2029?
That would spare the monarch – who is thought to be no great fan of the president either – some embarrassment while also avoiding a political firestorm for Starmer.
The most likely outcome, however, is that it will go ahead, although probably not until nearer the end of Trump’s four-year term.
Advertisement
Starmer will hope that an economic deal is done with the US by then, sparing the UK the worst of Trump’s tariffs, while also drawing some of the sting from the state visit controversy.
Whatever happens, his eagerness to be the King’s messenger boy will be added to the growing list of political mis-steps he has made since enter No.10 last July.
The diagnosis was delusional on Truth Social early on Thursday.
US President Donald Trump cast himself as a doctor performing surgery in a post regarding his “Liberation Day” onslaught of trade-war escalating tariffs.
“The operation is over!” Trump wrote. “The patient lived, and is healing. The prognosis is that the patient will be far stronger, bigger, better, and more resilient than ever before. Make America great again!”
If healing can be defined as global markets plummeting after Trump’s announcement of a 10% across-the-board tariff on foreign goods (plus much more for major trade partners like China and the European Union), then congratulations, “Dr Trump.”
But we’re thinking he could use a dose of reality.
The Lib Dem leader, who has a long-running feud with the world’s richest man, also hit out at the government reportedly preparing to water down its tax on tech firms in order to agree a trade deal with America.
That came after Davey said Musk “clearly knows nothing about Britain” at the height of the row over child grooming gangs.
In an interview with Channel 4 News, Davey was asked what he would do to threaten Trump amid fears of a global trade war.
He said: “Let’s put tariffs on Teslas. You know, let’s look at the tech bros. I mean, I’m told that No. 10 in the talks, they’ve discussed cutting the digital services tax, which is a tax paid by very large, 20 multinationals in the tech industry, mostly American.
Advertisement
“It’s a very modest tax. They’ve had a monopoly for ages and the idea that we would give up that tax on these hugely wealthy people, including of course Elon Musk, the richest man in the world, at the same time we’re cutting aid to the poorest in our world and welfare benefits in the UK, that would be, I think, unthinkable.”
Keir Starmer has refused to join the likes of Canada and the EU in threatening retaliatory tariffs against the US.
He said said the government will instead continue to negotiate the terms of a trade deal with Washington which ministers hope will see the tariffs of British imports either reduced or removed completely.
Advertisement
However, the government has put the White House on notice by giving British firms until May 1 to set out how retaliatory tariffs will effect them.
A 417-page list of US products that could have tariffs imposed them has already been drawn up by the government.
Trade secretary Jonathan Reynolds said: “It remains our belief that the best route to economic stability for working people is a negotiated deal with the US that builds on our shared strengths.
Advertisement
“However, we do reserve the right to take any action we deem necessary if a deal is not secured.”