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AIBU?

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Original poster

Starmer did well yesterday

142 replies

oceanflow · 28/02/2025 11:06

I mean, he was never going to magic a Trump personality transformation in the space of a couple of hours. But he walked the Trump tightrope well. I found the whole thing fascinating - particularly the contrived flattery. The mode of these US diplomatic visits now reflects the way you would visit a senile, elderly relative - any other leader would find it patronising, but it's all totally lost on Trump. The flourish if the state visit invite was hilarious. I was never a fan of Starmer particularly and thought he lacked charisma as a leader. But now I'm glad to have a leader who is about the tasks at hand, not simply his own ego. AIBU?

OP posts:
pizzaHeart · 28/02/2025 13:40

yes, it’s very difficult and he did it well.
I think in a way Starmer’s “boring personality“ played a positive role. He doesn’t care about looking impressive and important so he’s naturally ok with Trump getting this position.

Coolasfeck · 28/02/2025 13:36

Tryingtokeepgoing · 28/02/2025 11:43

Yes, Trump is easily impressed by a bit of bling. How the monarchy has fallen ;)

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This is exactly The Kings job, to charm for the benefit of our country. Otherwise what’s the point of him?

Wildflowers99 · 28/02/2025 13:32

If anyone sets out to protest or sabotage the visit, I hope they know they’re doing it for their own sense of self satisfaction and not ‘for Gaza/Ukraine/poor Americans/transgender people’. The only way through this is a charm offensive unfortunately (in terms of lots of State banquets, wheeling out the Royals, pomp and pageantry). Offending Trump to assuage your own moral conscience would be extremely selfish when only by establishing a relationship and attempting to persuade him will actually result in anything good. He will not be going anywhere as POTUS so try to think long term, and not just what looks good on your social media.

Coolasfeck · 28/02/2025 13:31

Yes he did. I’ve criticised him (more often Rachel Reeves) on here several times. However, he did well given the tightrope he had to walk.

Regardless of whether you voted for him or not, what he did is to the benefit of our country. That’s the main thing. If he fails, we all fail.

I’ll read through the rest of the comments to see which PPs are digital patriots but in reality are foreign/paid agitators wishing our country to fail.

noblegiraffe · 28/02/2025 13:30

HelenWheels · 28/02/2025 13:16

i was interested in how both the Telegraph and the Guardian would report it!
i havent looked into it yet

The Telegraph have given a long and glowing write-up, praising the months of work that went into preparing the way for a positive visit and how Starmer handled it.

Rather unexpectedly.

Macaroni46 · 28/02/2025 13:29

YankTank · 28/02/2025 11:28

I was quite disappointed that Charles has invited the Melon Felon for a State Visit at Windsor. Time to dust off the Trump baby blimp…

Do you really not understand why they're doing this?

Original poster
oceanflow · 28/02/2025 13:23

I notice Farage is quiet today.

OP posts:
HelenWheels · 28/02/2025 13:16

i was interested in how both the Telegraph and the Guardian would report it!
i havent looked into it yet

Wildflowers99 · 28/02/2025 13:15

noblegiraffe · 28/02/2025 13:12

Chris Mason of the BBC also did well getting Trump to backtrack on the Zelensky dictator comment.

Yes he did. Hopefully that one can be moved on from now, for Zelenskyy’s sake.

Original poster
oceanflow · 28/02/2025 13:14

Yes Chris Mason was great as well.

OP posts:
Arraminta · 28/02/2025 13:14

Arraminta · 28/02/2025 12:39

It's standard linguistic psychology. If you mirror someone's words back to them they instinctively warm towards you.

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And that's why Starmer was doing the 'light touch' to Trump's arm. Studies show that lightly touching the back of someone's hand or on their arm when you request something makes them more likely to agree to your request. Try it, it works.

Starmer's clearly had some coaching and it's worked.

noblegiraffe · 28/02/2025 13:12

Chris Mason of the BBC also did well getting Trump to backtrack on the Zelensky dictator comment.

orangesandlemonssaythebellsofstclements · 28/02/2025 13:12

noblegiraffe · 28/02/2025 13:06

Charles and co are well trained at dealing diplomatically and gracefully with obnoxious and offensive people. That's what we pay them for.

Yes, absolutely.

It was a brilliant move. The absolute perfect way to butter up someone like Trump

Wildflowers99 · 28/02/2025 13:09

Yes, he did well, but only because of his secret (well deployed) weapon which is the King. Without the letter it could’ve gone quite differently.

noblegiraffe · 28/02/2025 13:06

Charles and co are well trained at dealing diplomatically and gracefully with obnoxious and offensive people. That's what we pay them for.

Original poster
oceanflow · 28/02/2025 13:03

I bet Charles is counting down the days.

OP posts:
Maray1967 · 28/02/2025 12:59

Comedycook · 28/02/2025 11:39

I agree...he did a good job.

I loved the ...this is a very special letter...line. It was like a reception teacher talking to a five year old who had brought something in for show and tell 😂

Yes! Thats exactly what I thought! Bloody brilliant! Well done our PM. Hands up anybody who thinks they could have done better? Poor HM though - having to host the whole Trump contingent.

Original poster
oceanflow · 28/02/2025 12:58

Yes I noticed that. I find it fascinating.

OP posts:
JoyousEagle · 28/02/2025 12:55

oceanflow · 28/02/2025 12:53

What do we make of Marco Rubio? I think he might be the first to break rank - very soon. His anti Putin sentiment is well documented over the years, so what's going on? He sits there looking shell shocked amid all the Putin appeasement. What is he thinking?

I thought it was interesting in the cabinet meeting. When Trump said the thing about "is everyone happy with Elon? Because if not, you can get out" and everyone laughed and clapped Musk, Rubio didn't clap.

Original poster
oceanflow · 28/02/2025 12:53

What do we make of Marco Rubio? I think he might be the first to break rank - very soon. His anti Putin sentiment is well documented over the years, so what's going on? He sits there looking shell shocked amid all the Putin appeasement. What is he thinking?

OP posts:
Arraminta · 28/02/2025 12:39

oceanflow · 28/02/2025 11:49

Ha ha, yes that is exactly what it was like. The way he was mirroring Trump's speech patterns there was a classic.

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It's standard linguistic psychology. If you mirror someone's words back to them they instinctively warm towards you.

cardibach · 28/02/2025 12:38

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Message deleted by MNHQ. Here's a link to our Talk Guidelines.

noblegiraffe · 28/02/2025 12:37

Sucking up to Trump may also help when it comes to deciding trade tariffs.

Those who don't like the monarchy need to appreciate the power it had here.

Starmer did well yesterday
Abitofalark · 28/02/2025 12:35

Yes but it's embarrassing to watch all this pantomime touching and patting and mutual flattery.

I presume the reason Trump says that Chagos will work well is because we are the ones who will be shelling out for it and he won't.

orangesandlemonssaythebellsofstclements · 28/02/2025 12:35

Skibbidee · 28/02/2025 12:32

Is trump expecting anything back for the hillions that have been given to Israel? Why does he only want something back from Ukraine?

There's no point trying to make sense of anything Trump says or does.

Seriously. The strategy appears to be keep him on side and ride it out.

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