News Summary
President Donald Trump is in Scotland for a five-day visit focused on golf and trade discussions, amidst protests against him and ongoing controversies in Washington. Key meetings with EU chief Ursula von der Leyen and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer are scheduled, culminating with the dedication of a new golf course. Local sentiment is largely against Trump, with significant protests anticipated, while security measures are heightened. This trip emphasizes the complex relationship between Trump’s business interests in Scotland and the political backlash he faces.
Turnberry, Scotland – President Donald Trump is in Scotland for a five-day visit, primarily focused on golf and trade discussions amidst ongoing controversies in Washington, including matters related to Jeffrey Epstein. This trip, classified by the White House as a “working visit,” is expected to involve a limited formal itinerary but remains aimed at addressing key transatlantic trade relations.
On Sunday, Trump plans to meet with European Union chief Ursula von der Leyen to engage in talks regarding trade between the United States and the EU. Following this, a meeting with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer is scheduled for Monday, where the two leaders will work on finalizing a historic trade agreement between the US and the UK. Trump’s stay will predominantly be spent at his golf resorts, including the Trump Turnberry in the southwest and Trump International Golf Links in Aberdeenshire, situated to the north.
During the visit, a new 18-hole golf course named the MacLeod Course will be dedicated on Tuesday in Aberdeenshire. This course is named in honor of Trump’s mother, Mary Anne MacLeod, who was born in Scotland. Trump’s connections to the country run deep, however, sentiments among locals regarding his golf course enterprises are mixed, with numerous protests anticipated during his stay.
Past visits from Trump have drawn thousands of demonstrators, and organized groups such as Stop Trump Scotland plan to voice their concerns once again. A headline from a Scottish newspaper referring to Trump as a “Convicted US Felon” suggests the prevailing local sentiment against him, with recent polls indicating that around 70 percent of Scots disapprove of his presence.
The security measures enacted for this trip are described as the largest in Scotland since the death of Queen Elizabeth II in 2022, combining both local officers and national security forces to ensure Trump’s safety amidst the protests.
Trump’s administration continues to face scrutiny regarding his connections to Epstein, contributing to the controversies surrounding his visit. The ongoing investigations into his political and legal matters overshadow some of his business activities in Scotland, although Starmer has managed to cultivate a working relationship with Trump despite previous criticisms, resulting in essential trade deals.
Trump’s golf course development in Balmedie has faced backlash from locals over allegations of unfulfilled promises related to job creation and community investment. Resistance to his projects has emerged primarily due to his aggressive land acquisition methods and opposition to environmental projects such as wind farms in the area. However, the resort at Trump Turnberry has attracted less criticism in comparison, partly owing to the comprehensive restorations initiated since his acquisition.
Amidst his golfing activities, Trump is also expected to address humanitarian crises, including the ongoing situation in Gaza. The controversial nature of Trump’s golf ventures juxtaposes the potential for local economic impact against widespread disapproval tied to his political behavior and actions.
This trip marks Trump’s fifth international visit since returning to office. Following his engagements in Scotland, Trump is scheduled for a state visit to the UK in September, which will be hosted by King Charles III. As the visit unfolds, the interplay between Trump’s personal ties to Scotland and the local opposition he faces will be highlighted amid significant attention from both supporters and protesters.
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HERE Resources
Trump’s Golf Course Opening Sparks Controversy in Scotland
Trump Promotes Golf Business During Scotland Visit
Additional Resources
- CBS News
- Wikipedia: Donald Trump
- Al Jazeera
- Google Search: Trump Scotland 2025
- CNN
- Google Scholar: Trump Scotland
- USA Today
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Donald Trump
- The Guardian
- Google News: Trump Scotland
