Donald Trump’s Son Confirms Scotland Visit Next Year

Donald Trump, the US President-elect, is scheduled to visit Scotland next year for the inauguration of a new golf course in Aberdeenshire, according to confirmation from his son. Eric Trump and his father initiated construction on the 18-hole links MacLeod Course at the Trump International resort in Menie during the previous year. The course is anticipated to commence operations next summer. Should this visit materialize, it would mark Donald Trump’s initial trip to Scotland following his success in the US election. His previous visit as president in 2018 led to a significant security operation, accompanied by protests involving thousands of individuals across Glasgow, Edinburgh, and Aberdeen. Trump International asserted that the new course, which bears the name of Trump’s mother, Mary, who was born in Lewis, would incorporate the “largest sand dunes in Scotland” and, in conjunction with the original course finished in 2012, would constitute “the greatest 36 holes in golf.” The resort has previously been a source of contention; four years prior, the dunes located at Menie were stripped of their designation as a nationally significant protected environment. Nevertheless, Trump International stated that the new course was “one of the most environmentally friendly and sustainable” constructions to date. The Scottish Greens had previously declared that Trump and his new golf course were “not welcome in Aberdeenshire,” alleging that he is a climate-change denier with a “long history of lies and dodgy business dealings.” In the course of his 2018 visit, Trump encountered boos from demonstrators who had assembled at the periphery of the Turnberry complex while he was playing an afternoon round of golf. Additionally, a paraglider managed to fly above the resort hotel, displaying a banner that criticized Trump. In an interview with the PA news agency, Eric Trump conveyed that his family’s “love” for Scotland was the driving force behind their continued investment in the nation. He asserted that the Scottish government had rendered conducting business “virtually impossible,” stating, “[it’s] very long to get permits, there are a lot of regulations, a lot of red tape, insane taxation, government leaders who just take pot shots at you for no reason whatsoever.” The businessman, who is Donald Trump’s third child, mentioned that he had carefully overseen the resort’s refurbishment, which involved an investment of hundreds of millions of dollars, and remarked: “And I’ve never really gotten so much as a thank you.” He further commented that it was “nasty” for First Minister John Swinney to endorse Kamala Harris, though he added that his father “is not going to lose any sleep” concerning these statements. Following Trump’s victory, Swinney dispatched a letter to him, expressing his desire for a positive relationship between both countries and extending his good wishes. Eric Trump additionally implied that Swinney’s initial comments might impact Scotland’s capacity to negotiate on tariffs, noting that Donald Trump has pledged to impose taxes on all goods imported into the US should he return to the White House. He continued: “And now, all of a sudden, you have two countries that could have the greatest political relationship.” He further stated: “Again, my father adores Scotland, and you have a First Minister coming out and just being fairly nasty in the days leading up.” He questioned: “I mean, who did that benefit? Did that benefit Scotland?” He then asked: “You know, you just asked about tariffs? Does that benefit that? If he ever needs to call my father and ask about tariffs or negotiate a base, does that benefit Scotland?” A spokesperson for the Scottish government responded by saying: “The USA is Scotland’s most important market and source of inward investment. The Scottish government greatly appreciates the strong and lasting social, cultural and economic ties we have with the United States. “The first minister and his ministers will work to make sure these ties continue to flourish, consistent with the values that underpin Scotland and the United States.”