US President Donald Trump touched down in Scotland on Friday night, wasting no time in delivering a blunt message to the UK and Europe: stop immigration and scrap wind turbines.
Speaking at Prestwick Airport, Trump told reporters, “Stop the windmills. You’re ruining your countries. It’s so sad.” He also warned European leaders about unchecked immigration, calling it “a horrible invasion” that’s “killing Europe.”
Trump’s visit includes high-level meetings with Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, and Scotland’s First Minister John Swinney. He’ll also spend time at his Turnberry golf resort before heading north to open a new course in Aberdeenshire.
Energy policy is expected to top the agenda. Trump has long criticised the spread of wind turbines across Scotland and Europe, particularly near his golf assets. “You fly over and see windmills killing birds and wrecking your oceans,” he said.
Trump has also voiced strong support for the UK to continue oil and gas production. That view was echoed by Offshore Energies UK chief David Whitehouse, who urged Starmer to back domestic fossil fuels over energy imports.
In a letter to the PM, Whitehouse argued: “Only UK-produced oil and gas pays UK taxes and supports UK jobs. Over 40% of our energy was imported in 2024. That doesn’t make sense.”
While details of Trump’s meeting with Starmer remain under wraps, the president made clear his admiration for the PM, calling him “a good man” and praising the recently concluded UK-US trade deal: “They worked on it for 12 years, and he got it done.”
Trump also hinted at progress in upcoming EU talks, saying there’s a “good 50-50 chance” of reaching a deal, though “maybe 20 sticking points” remain.
Scotland’s First Minister John Swinney struck a more diplomatic tone, saying the visit was a chance to “showcase Scotland on the world stage” and raise humanitarian concerns including the crisis in Gaza. He reaffirmed Scotland’s commitment to peaceful protest and democratic values.
Meanwhile, Trump credited the late Sir Sean Connery for helping him secure permits for his original golf development, adding: “If it weren’t for Sean Connery, we wouldn’t have those great courses.”
Trump’s visit will conclude Tuesday before returning to the US ahead of a planned state visit to the UK in September.
