Trump does not deserve warm welcome and protests likely in Scotland, says Harvie

Donald Trump does not deserve a warm welcome in Scotland and will certainly be met with protests if he arrives north of the border, Patrick Harvie has said.

The co-leader of the Scottish Greens also called on the First Minister to “stand up” to the US president, accusing the Republican of being a “misogynistic, racist, climate-change denier”.

During his trip to Washington this week, Sir Keir Starmer presented Mr Trump with a letter from the King which suggested meeting at Balmoral in Aberdeenshire or Dumfries House in East Ayrshire ahead of the state visit.

Both sites are near the businessman’s golf courses in Scotland, with the King suggesting the meeting there could be used to discuss plans for the much grander state visit, which usually involves going to Windsor Castle.

Patrick Harvie said the US president should not have a warm welcome (Jane Barlow/PA). PA Media

After reading the letter, Mr Trump said: “That’s a great, great honour. And that says at Windsor – that’s really something.”

Mr Trump last visited Scotland in 2023, attending a ceremony to break ground on a second golf course at the Menie Estate near Aberdeen.

The course is dedicated to his mother, Mary Anne MacLeod, and is expected to open this summer.

The Aberdeenshire development proved controversial when it was first announced, with locals up in arms about the proposals, as well as Mr Trump’s opposition to an offshore windfarm visible from the property.

The family also owns Trump Turnberry in South Ayrshire.

Mr Harvie has clashed with the Trump family in the past, with the president’s son Eric once calling the Green a “national embarrassment”.

A new golf course in Aberdeenshire owned by Donald Trump is dedicated to his Scottish-born mother (Danny Lawson/PA). PA Media

Mr Harvie said: “Despite Keir Starmer’s sickening deference to him, Trump is not a friendly leader and should not be treated as if he was.

“He is a dangerous, fraudulent, misogynistic, racist, climate-change denier, and one who openly opposes democratic values.”

The MSP said Mr Trump had promoted “fascists”, and his Vice-President JD Vance had recently spread “misinformation” about abortion rights in Scotland.

Mr Harvie continued: “To offer him such a warm welcome and the trappings of a state visit is a slap in the face to the millions of people across the US and beyond who are frightened for their friends and family who are having their rights eroded or removed.

“The UK Labour Government is utterly failing to recognise the threat he poses and the urgent strategic choice this country faces.

Eric Trump has previously branded Patrick Harvie a ‘national embarrassment’ (Jane Barlow/PA). PA Media

“I have no doubt that Donald Trump’s visit will be met with protests and a great deal of anger.

“Only this week the First Minister was calling for a united front against the far-right.

“That must also mean standing up to Donald Trump and the toxic and hateful politics that he represents.”

Asked about the prospect of Mr Trump visiting Scotland, a Scottish Government spokesman said: “The First Minister will continue to ensure Scotland has a constructive relationship with the United States and will do all he can to strengthen the social, cultural, and economic ties between the two countries.”