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Original poster

The Brits are SO smart.

492 replies

MsAmerica · 28/02/2025 00:37

Playing Trump like a fiddle, knowing his weakness for flattery and star power. Starmer begins by presenting a letter of invitation from Charles III.

Donald Trump given letter from King Charles on Ukraine war with special 'unprecedented' invite
https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/donald-trump-given-letter-from-king-charles-on-ukraine-war-with-special-unprecedented-invite/ar-AA1zVHbC

UK Prime Minister Starmer Presents Trump With An Invitation From King Charles For A State Visit: "This Is Really Special"
https://www.realclearpolitics.com/video/2025/02/27/uk_prime_minister_starmer_presents_trump_with_an_invitation_from_king_charles_for_a_state_visit_this_is_really_special.html

OP posts:
Moonlightstars · 28/02/2025 08:11

PermanentTemporary · 28/02/2025 07:13

I thought Starmer did a great job, AND it was embarrassing. Just the reality of being a small country with a big past and an uncertain future. But also the nature of diplomacy and democracy. If a major power votes for someone, however unpredictable, we've got to find some kind of connection.

@MsAmerica I wish I still felt the same about visiting America, we'd planned a big trip in 2026 but I just don't want to do it at the moment. Still love so much about the US in general though.

We're the same just cancelled plans to go to the US with friends. Canada is getting our money instead!

marmaladeandpeanutbutter · 28/02/2025 08:10

Oh we were all cringing. He practically cuddled him.

bombastix · 28/02/2025 08:10

A back of the net performance by Starmer. Trump loves theatre, so it was well done.

Thank god we do have some people in this country who do actually think ahead.

The economic collaboration discussed is really important for the UK, so it was positive. The US will move a lot faster than the EU on that and in many ways has more to offer.

Futb · 28/02/2025 08:07

When I watched the news I was cringing and the Trump ‘Trump’ card was when he presented the invitation to meet the Royals.

I get it of course, he has to play all of his ‘Trump’ cards to flatter him but I nearly vomited watching him have to suck up and Trump lapping it up.

Sucking up and Lapping up! 🫣🤣🤢

Mielikki · 28/02/2025 08:07

Lovemybunnies · 28/02/2025 01:36

I’m worried it will separate us from Europe. Trump can’t be trusted.

Not at all. Macron and Starmer had a long call last weekend and planned to work together. Macron is bad cop (pushing Trump over guarantees, correcting h when he lies), Starmer is good cop (offering state visits etc).

it might just work, or Trump might just wake up today having forgotten all about it and do something else.

MrsElijahMikaelson1 · 28/02/2025 08:06

Z

PerkingFaintly · 28/02/2025 08:03

I think Trump is also well aware of how much his air force benefits from being stationed here.

Given his unawareness of almost everything, I doubt that.

During his last state visit, Trump was apparently surprised to learn that the UK had nuclear weapons. There aren't many nuclear powers in the world and it's kinda important for a US President to know which countries might nuke him if he pisses them off. But no, quite some distance into his term he was blissfully unaware.

sparrowflewdown · 28/02/2025 08:03

LillyPJ · 28/02/2025 08:01

You can imagine this sort of plot line in a traditional fairy tale: evil ruler, rich bully, handsome young pauper, kindly wise prince, priceless jewels, battles etc.

Show quote history

Yes it felt exactly like that. Starmer the coach-man clutching a letter from a faraway King to give to the powerful Sultan. I thought a magic carpet was going to come out at one-point.

Futb · 28/02/2025 08:03

MrsBennetsPoorNerves · 28/02/2025 01:35

I'd love to have been a fly on the wall when this was discussed between Starmer and Charles. I can just imagine the King saying "but do we really have to?", and the PM saying, "yes, your majesty, I'm afraid you do".

And then perhaps Camilla turning the air blue when she was informed! 😂

That’s what I was thinking. Bet Charles was like “FFS really?!” 🤣

CurlewKate · 28/02/2025 08:03

Starmer did well. And the RF can earn its keep for once.

There is so much skilled diplomacy behind everything that happens. I see the hand of Peter Mandelson.....

OneLemonGuide · 28/02/2025 08:02

Lovemybunnies · 28/02/2025 01:36

I’m worried it will separate us from Europe. Trump can’t be trusted.

No one is trusting Trump in any of this.

LillyPJ · 28/02/2025 08:01

WhereAreWeNow · 28/02/2025 07:40

It was quite excruciating. But I agree Starmer did a good job at placating the megalomaniac toddler.

Watching all of this transactional international relations played out in plain site is just mind blowing.

Invitation from the king in exchange for preferential trade deals.

Rare minerals in exchange for peace.

You can imagine this sort of plot line in a traditional fairy tale: evil ruler, rich bully, handsome young pauper, kindly wise prince, priceless jewels, battles etc.

sparrowflewdown · 28/02/2025 08:00

Linens · 28/02/2025 07:56

Macrons “hand on arm” technique has obviously been seized by Starmer. The amount of touching!

Yes that was inappropriate.

PerkingFaintly · 28/02/2025 07:59

He's Blair to the core.

Of course we have Mandelson as US Ambassador. I'm sure he'll have been part of the team advising Starmer.

I despise him Mandelson for some of his actions under Blair, but he's oily, manipulative and intensely politically astute: perfect for dealing with Trump.

StScholastica · 28/02/2025 07:58

Well it's a PR Trump for the Royal Family.

I think Trump is also well aware of how much his air force benefits from being stationed here.

sparrowflewdown · 28/02/2025 07:58

spuddy4 · 28/02/2025 04:17

Interesting how people perceive things differently. I saw it as an embarrassing, desperate move because Starmer knows Trump doesn't think much of the UK and the special relationship the two countries once had is long gone. I don't think for one moment Trump will forget the comments that various Labour MPs have made about him. It's just mind games and they are all playing each other.

I agree. I don't actually think Trump looked that impressed, he certainly didn't seem warm towards Starmer.

Trump is basically carving the Ukraine's resources up with Russia and making Starmer and Europe look incredibly weak and stupid. It was painful to watch tbh.

Linens · 28/02/2025 07:56

Macrons “hand on arm” technique has obviously been seized by Starmer. The amount of touching!

saraclara · 28/02/2025 07:53

I'm going to guess that Starmer needed a very long shower after that. But it had to be done. The way he used the same toddler language to match Trump's was clever, but must have felt painful.

marmaladeandpeanutbutter · 28/02/2025 07:52

There's talk of a trade deal in the news. Please gos don't let Starmer sell them more of our NHS.

passwordaboutyou · 28/02/2025 07:50

I'm not really a Starmer fan but this was a masterstroke, in terms of playing the diplomatic game he did really well. It did make me laugh though with the way they presented it, really was like giving a child prize at a school assembly.

MonthsofTherapy · 28/02/2025 07:49

I laughed while watching it. At first I was horrified at Starmer but when he pulled the envelope I suddenly realised what he was doing. I cringed because it was like watching a teacher praise a little boy. Absolutely the right thing to do and I'm embarrassed for Trump for eating it up!

PerkingFaintly · 28/02/2025 07:49

AutumnCrow2 · 28/02/2025 01:34

I reckon this could extend to the UK dangling the idea of some kind of honorary gong in front of him and his lady wife. 'Lady Starmer sends her kindest regards to the First Lady, Mrs Trump ... His Majesty the King would love to meet her when he has a free moment away from bestowing honours on the worthy ... we value the long-standing friends of the UK very much ...'

Though Trump probably really wants a Nobel Peace Prize, even if he has to share it with someone. Starmer knows that. He's Blair to the core.

Oh I'd forgetten they were Sir and Lady Starmer. That will ding Mr Trump's bell too.

LillyPJ · 28/02/2025 07:48

It's sickening and shows just how ridiculous Trump is, but I suppose it shows that the royal family have some use after all.

RominaDina · 28/02/2025 07:47

ChazsBrilliantAttitude · 28/02/2025 07:42

It’s not just about Trump. Trump is a reflection of a mood in the US right now. So showing respect to the President is showing respect to the US. It will play well with Trump supporter because it shows DT is forcing countries to respect Americans etc etc.

If a slap up dinner with Charles is what it takes to calm troubled egos so be it.

Absolutely. It would be so easy to take the other route, but I think this is wise.

ItisIbeserk · 28/02/2025 07:45

Trump has obvious cognitive issues. He’s also always been prone to denying what he’s said. He’s been handed a giant blank cheque to say whatever he wants by a substantial proportion of the US and as a result says any old shit that he will shamelessly pull back on the occasions that it no longer suits his interests to have said it.