The Story State banquets and street protests: Trump in the UK
Sep 18, 2025
Katy Balls, Washington editor and columnist for The Times, shares her insights on Trump’s state visit to the UK, highlighting its royal pageantry and political tensions. Oliver Wright, Policy editor at The Times, examines Westminster's reaction and what’s at stake for Keir Starmer. Discussions reveal the complexities of trade negotiations, tech investments, and the potential repercussions of protests. They also delve into the broader implications of Trump’s entourage and regional security, shedding light on how the visit could be both beneficial and contentious.
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Windsor Pageantry And Personal Ties
- Katy Balls describes the Windsor scenes with muted crowds, a few ardent MAGA supporters and lots of US-UK flags and bunting.
- She explains Trump values the monarchy personally, partly via his mother's royalist affinity.
Pageantry Is The Primary Carrot
- Katy Balls says the pomp of the state banquet matters more to Trump than policy details.
- The UK uses the invitation as a top diplomatic carrot to deepen US-UK ties and business deals.
Entourage Mixes Family, Staff And Tech
- Katy lists Trump's entourage including family, senior staff and tech figures such as Sam Altman.
- She highlights a deliberate mix of monarchy, politics and Silicon Valley at the state banquet.