Will Trump's Delight At His 'Unprecedented' State Visit Actually Help Starmer?

The prime minister made many eyebrows rise when he extended an invitation for an unprecedented second state visit to Donald Trump earlier this year.

For such a divisive figure to receive another taxpayer-funded, red carpet-rollout, seemed nothing short of bizarre – not least because of the national backlash it caused last time.

But Trump’s effusive words for the US’s special relationship with the UK at last night’s state banquet would certainly suggest it was worth it.

Standing in his tux, surrounded by all the royal glamour of Windsor Castle, he said it was a “singular privilege” to be the first elected politician ever to be granted a second state banquet – and the largest military ceremonial welcome in living history.

“This is truly one of the highest honours of my life, such respect for you and such respect for your country,” the president said.

His words came after a day stuffed with pomp and ceremony, where he and First Lady Melania Trump were treated to several firsts, including a guard of honour with all three State colours.

The president was even permitted to a ride in a gold carriage around the grounds of Windsor Castle as though he were a royal himself – far away from the anti-Trump crowds piling up in London, of course.

So it’s no wonder the Republican, known to enjoy any kind of special treatment, ended up pouring such praise on the UK.

“The bond of kinship and identity between America and the United Kingdom is priceless and eternal. It’s irreplaceable and unbreakable,” he said.

While Trump already has a soft spot for the UK, seeing as his mother came from Scotland, it is his love of the Royal Family which the government has tried to wield most effectively this trip – perhaps due to his longing to be seen as a monarch.

But Trump notably avoided almost all mention of politics last night in his speech.

He did even respond to King Charles’ attempts to present the UK and the US as perfectly united in international matters like Ukraine and climate change (areas where Trump has actually upended western unity over the last nine months). 

The monarch reminded the room that the UK and the US fought together to defeat tyranny during both the First World War and the Second World War, “tyranny once again threatens Europe”.

He also nodded to the UK securing the first trade deal of Trump’s administration, adding: “No doubt we can go even further as we build this new era of our partnership.”

And he referenced his own keen passion for tackle climate change – which Trump has sometimes denied – saying: “In striving for a better world, we also have a precious opportunity to safeguard and to restore the wonders and beauty of nature for the generations who follow us.”

All points Trump simply ignored in his own subsequent address.

But the president will not be able to avoid politics for much longer as he heads to Starmer’s grace-and-favour Chequers residence today.

There they will have a joint press conference – and yesterday’s shiny seal of friendship might start to wear a little thin.

Though they have already announced a tech deal which will give the beleaguered prime minister some confidence, journalists will undoubtedly bring up all the topics of contention between these heads of states.

Firstly, the UK’s plan to recognise Palestine as a state next week – which the Trump administration has criticised.

Then, there’s the sticky issue of the US ambassador Peter Mandelson who was sacked over his links to the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein last week – an infamous financier who was also connected to the president.

Starmer is also trying to ensure Trump stops siding with Russia in his bids to end the Ukraine war, get aluminum and steel tariffs completely dropped and avoid the tetchy issue of free speech which the US administration often complains is at risk in the UK.

There’s plenty which could go wrong.

No.10 will have everything crossed that all the royal wooing was enough to get the prime minister through the next few, inevitably bumpy hours.