Doubts Surface About Trump's Visit to Britain

2 reports say he's hesitant, fearing a bad reception by the public
By Gina Carey,  Newser Staff
Posted Jun 11, 2017 8:06 PM CDT
Doubts Surface About Trump's Visit to Britain
President Trump speaks on infrastructure at the Department of Transportation in Washington.   (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik)

Speculation surrounding Trump’s anticipated visit to England has piqued amid two reports that he's having second thoughts because of a potentially bad reception. The Guardian reports that plans are "on hold" after Trump relayed as much on a phone call made in recent weeks to Prime Minister Theresa May, who had extended the invitation on behalf of Queen Elizabeth just a week into Trump's presidency. A Downing Street adviser claims to have been present during the call, saying Trump would withhold visiting until the public supports him coming. The claim comes days after London Mayor Sadiq Khan, who has been feuding with Trump, said the president should cancel his trip. No firm date was ever announced, though it was expected sometime in the fall.

The New York Times also reports that Trump is reconsidering the visit, quoting administration officials who say he has told aides and May herself that he is hesitant. But spokespeople for both Trump and May reject the allegation. The White House released a statement saying that Trump has “tremendous respect” for May and denies the trip was mentioned in their recent phone calls, and a Washington Post reporter tweeted that press secretary Sean Spicer called the Guardian report “false." May’s office denies that anything has changed and says it won't "comment on speculation" about private phone calls, per Reuters. "The queen extended an invitation to President Trump to visit the UK and there is no change to those plans.” (More Sadiq Khan stories.)

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