Donald Trump branded a ‘national embarrassment’ over speech about his state visit during royal dinner
Donald Trump’s latest state visit to the UK ended with a banquet at Windsor Castle — but instead of leaving a mark of diplomacy, his speech quickly drew heavy criticism, with many branding him a “national embarrassment.”
The visit was arranged earlier this year when Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer delivered an invitation from King Charles III for what was described as a “truly historic” second state visit. Trump and First Lady Melania Trump arrived on September 16 and spent the following day meeting members of the royal family, including the Prince and Princess of Wales, before joining the King and Queen for the formal dinner.
As tradition dictates, both the monarch and the U.S. president gave speeches. King Charles focused on the deep historical ties and shared future of the U.S.–UK alliance, pointing to trade deals and the potential for further cooperation.
Trump’s remarks, however, quickly became the talking point of the evening. He opened with: *“It is a privilege to be the first American president welcomed here. And if you think about it, a lot of presidents and this was the second state visit and that’s the first. Maybe that is going to be the last time — I hope it is, actually.”*
The muddled phrasing and odd framing left many puzzled. Critics described the speech as meandering and self-congratulatory, with one person on X posting, *“Zero seconds without being a national embarrassment.”* Another summed it up as, *“Classic Trump banter: a muddled timeline, a dash of self-congratulation, and a wink at legacy.”*
Despite the criticism, Trump also leaned into flattery, stressing America’s unbreakable bond with Britain. He likened the two countries to “two notes in one chord” and “two verses of the same prose,” insisting their relationship was “irreplaceable and eternal.”
The glittering banquet, attended by 160 high-profile guests including Prime Minister Starmer, Apple CEO Tim Cook, and OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, was meant to showcase unity and shared values. Instead, much of the attention turned to Trump’s words — a reminder that even at the most formal of occasions, his speeches rarely go unnoticed, or uncriticized.
