Donald Trump in Scotland with golf, diplomacy and controversy

U.S. President Donald Trump begins a four-day private visit to Scotland this Friday, combining political activities with personal interests. The visit, officially classified by the White House as " diplomatic work ," is an attempt, according to sources close to Washington cited by Reuters , to mitigate media pressure surrounding the Epstein scandal, which threatens to undermine the American leader's second term .

Trump plans to visit his Turnberry resort on the east coast of Scotland, where he will remain until Monday, when he is scheduled to meet with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer. According to White House spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt, the meeting's objective is to "refine the historic terms of the US-UK economic pact." Sources close to Starmer's administration reported that the British president will attempt to advance a proposal to reduce steel tariffs .

Among the priority topics of the bilateral meeting will also be the conflict in Ukraine and the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. The British prime minister warned this week of the "indescribable suffering" of the Palestinian population and demanded the immediate entry of humanitarian aid into the enclave.

After meeting with Starmer, the US leader will travel to his estate in Balmedie, near Aberdeen, where he will participate in the opening of a new golf course. According to the official statement, the facility pays tribute to his mother, Mary Anne MacLeod, a native of a Scottish island.

During his stay in Scotland, Trump is also expected to meet with Scotland's First Minister, John Swinney, an outspoken critic of US policy and supporter of Democratic candidate Kamala Harris in the 2024 presidential election. However, neither office has confirmed that the meeting will take place.

This international visit comes at a politically sensitive time for Donald Trump. The White House's handling of documents and investigations related to the Epstein case, particularly the unclear circumstances of his 2019 death in a New York prison, has generated widespread criticism, including among supporters of the MAGA (Make America Great Again) movement. According to Reuters, recent polls indicate that a significant majority of Americans, including Republican voters, believe the government is withholding relevant information about the case .

Demonstrations are planned in Aberdeen and Edinburgh on Saturday, at a time when the US president's popularity ratings remain low in the country. According to an Ipsos poll conducted in March, 70% of Scots have a negative opinion of Trump.

The protests force Scottish authorities to plan the largest security operation since the death of Queen Elizabeth II in September 2022. "Police Scotland has a lot of experience in organizing and planning events and operations of this scale," Deputy Chief Constable Emma Bond told Sky News , adding that "this is a significant operation for us, focused on maintaining public safety, balancing people's rights to peaceful protest and ensuring we minimize disruption to communities."

The US President will return to the UK in September, between the 17th and 19th, for a formal state visit at the invitation of King Charles III.