The ego has landed and it’s going to be one helluva ride over the next 48 hours. Donald Trump is currently readying himself to meet the King and Queen as his much-vaunted second state visit kicks off in the next few hours.
On the flight to Blighty he told reporters aboard Air Force One that it’s going to be “a beautiful event”. He also implored them to “enjoy yourselves, OK?” Ominous words or will he genuinely be on best behaviour.
One person who won’t be enjoying themselves is Sir Keir Starmer.
The Prime Minister is in the eye of a giant political storm that shows no sign of dying. And the US President has a habit of creating headlines – major headlines. Will the Republican strongman go anywhere near the Peter Mandalson-Jeffrey Epstein scandal which has left the Labour leader in such a perilous position.
Backbenchers, already fed-up over the PM’s disastrous 14-month premiership the demise of Angela Rayner, are gnashing their teeth about replacing him.
Sir Keir will hope Trump’s two-day trip will suck the life out of everything else and focus solely on him.
I wouldn’t bet on it.
Awkward questions about “Mandelstein” could derail the bonhomie of this historic second state visit, especially when the two leaders face the media at Chequers tomorrow.
Let’s not forget Trump’s penchant for fireworks, just as his first state visit six years ago.
Back then, in June 2019, as well as taking tea with the late Queen, the US President called London Mayor Sadiq Khan “a stone-cold loser”, backed Boris Johnson in a Tory leadership race and suggested the NHS should be part of US-UK trade talks.
All this was accompanied by a petition saying he should not receive a state visit in the UK, signed by more than one million people, as well as noisy protests involving thousands and a huge inflatable effigy that became known as the Trump Baby.
More of the same is expected this week.
There will again be protests and pitfalls – over Starmer’s recognition of a Palestinian state, Israel, the war in Ukraine and Mandelson’s replacement – lurk at every corner.
Trump is only on the ground for less than 48 hours but it will feel like a lifetime for Sir Keir.