Donald Trump is expected to be barred from delivering a speech to Parliament during his forthcoming state visit to the United Kingdom, according to sources familiar with the planning. The visit, scheduled for mid to late September, will deliberately coincide with the parliamentary recess, providing an official reason to withhold the joint address that previous US presidents have enjoyed.
The decision to avoid scheduling an address to Parliament breaks with tradition established by many of Mr Trump’s predecessors, including Ronald Reagan, Bill Clinton, Barack Obama, and most recently, Emmanuel Macron of France. Mr Macron’s speech earlier this month was met with applause from MPs and peers, reinforcing the close diplomatic ties between the two countries. Mr Trump, by contrast, is set to be denied the platform that would have put him in the spotlight at the oldest Parliament in the world.
Officials close to the Government have privately expressed concerns about potential protests and boycotts by some MPs should Mr Trump be given the opportunity to address Parliament.
The backlash could have led to a highly embarrassing spectacle, with some MPs possibly refusing to attend or staging vocal protests.
This sensitive political environment appears to have influenced Downing Street’s decision to schedule the visit during a parliamentary recess starting September 16, when both the House of Commons and House of Lords will not be sitting, reports the Telegraph.
The planned absence of an address to Parliament is not the only departure from typical state visit protocol. Unlike Emmanuel Macron, who enjoyed a ceremonial open-top carriage ride with King Charles III and stayed overnight at Windsor Castle, Mr Trump is not expected to participate in such public royal pageantry.
The ongoing restoration work at Buckingham Palace is cited as a factor for Mr Trump not visiting the palace, but security concerns are also believed to play a role in limiting public appearances.
Instead, Trump is likely to spend much of his brief UK trip at his Scottish golf resort, Trump Turnberry, with Downing Street still attempting to arrange a meeting with Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer.
The visit itself is expected to be low-key, avoiding high-profile events that might spark further political controversy.
The controversy surrounding Mr Trump’s visits to the UK dates back to his 2016 presidential campaign, when more than half a million people signed a petition calling for him to be banned from entering the country.
That debate sparked heated exchanges in Parliament, where some MPs described Mr Trump as a “racist demagogue” and a “buffoon.” His 2019 state visit also attracted widespread protests, including the now-iconic “Trump baby” inflatable balloon in Parliament Square.
The current arrangement, withholding an address to Parliament and limiting ceremonial honours, appears to be a cautious attempt by the British Government to balance diplomatic protocol with domestic political sensitivities.
White House officials are reportedly aware of the reduced fanfare planned for the visit, though they have yet to publicly comment. British officials acknowledge Mr Trump’s sensitivity to perceived slights but appear committed to avoiding potential embarrassment amid an already divisive political atmosphere.
With Parliament out of session, the Government avoids having to explain the unusual absence of a joint address, allowing the visit to proceed quietly.
Whether Mr Trump will accept the more muted treatment or seek other ways to assert his presence during the trip remains to be seen.