Donald Trump brands First Minister John Swinney's comments on US election 'appalling'

Donald Trump’s team have branded Scotland First Minister John Swinney’s comments on the US Presidential Election “appalling“.

Swinney joked that his endorsement of the current Vice President of the United States and Democratic candidate Kamala Harris is not just because her opponent, Trump, is against Scottish independence.

Speaking to journalists after First Minister’s Questions, the SNP leader said: “People in the United States of America should vote for Kamala Harris and I have not come to that conclusion only because Donald Trump is opposed to Scottish independence.”

Now the former Republican President’s team have released a statement saying Swinney’s comments were an “insult to the massive investment in Scotland made by the Trump family”.

The American tycoon owns the Menie Estate golf course in Balmedie, near Aberdeen and the Trump Turnberry Hotel and Resort in Girvan.

Sarah Malone, executive vice president of Trump International Scotland, said: “The Trump family has shown unwavering commitment to Scotland – pouring hundreds of millions of dollars into the Scottish economy – and driving many tens of thousands of international visitors to Scotland every year.

“Around 600 people – the majority of whom are Scottish – are employed directly by Trump businesses and many more local and national businesses thrive on supplying services to our resorts.

“It is appalling to see the First Minister, who talks of the need to encourage economic growth, insult this commitment and all the people involved in delivering world-class services here in Scotland.”

Stephen Flynn, the SNP’s Westminster Leader responded to the statement on X, saying: “Garbage.”

Trump spoke in favour of Scotland remaining as part of the UK with comedian Andrew Schulz.

Scotland voted to remain as part of the UK in the Independence Referendum of 2014.

Trump told Schulz’s Flagrant podcast on October 9: “You know, they tried to break up Scotland from the rest of the empire, so to speak.

“And it made it by about like a half a point. They kept it together.

“So I hope it stays together. I hope it always stays together.”

The 78-year-old spoke about his mother, Mary MacLeod, who was born and raised in Tong on the Isle of Lewis near Stornoway before moving to America and marrying Trump’s father.

He added: “My mother was great. She was a Stornoway.

“The Hebrides. That’s, you know, that’s really serious Scottish.

“The Scottish people, they’re tough people,” he added.

“They’re good people. Actually, they’re very great people. But they’re good fighters.”