President Trump arrived to a rock star’s welcome in Davos for the World Economic Forum, much to the chagrin of his critics.
And, for a short time, to UK Prime Minister Theresa May.
Taking the stage at the Forum in the Swiss ski resort Thursday, May sought to find “new partners” in trade after Brexit, according to The Sun. Unfortunately for the prime minister, she began delivering her speech to a half empty room thanks to Trump.
It’s half empty as Theresa May takes the stage in Davos – here’s the pic. #wef18 #wef2018 #UK #Brexit pic.twitter.com/qmWLr0fcFU
— Ryan Heath (@PoliticoRyan) January 25, 2018
The crowd reportedly “rushed out to see Donald Trump” just as May took the stage.
The big #wef staff fear – that this Trump mob is going to fall over the upstairs rail around the atrium as they wait his arrival #wef18 #Davos pic.twitter.com/AZvN762tW7
— Ryan Heath (@PoliticoRyan) January 25, 2018
And this was not how some attendees wanted the event to unfold, apparently annoyed at Trump’s upstaging talent.
For a place that seems to not want him ..: #Trump #Davos18 pic.twitter.com/YRmYkwPFWE
— john stackhouse (@StackhouseJohn) January 25, 2018
.@DrumJamie on the rapturous reception for Trump at Davos https://t.co/oDBeXyXATy pic.twitter.com/M5J8oeK5n0
— Ben Smith (@BuzzFeedBen) January 25, 2018
Poor Theresa May. Just gave a solid, business-minded speech to a third-empty hall, as the crowd rushed out for this. #Trump #Davos18 pic.twitter.com/qaIb8oXZWv
— john stackhouse (@StackhouseJohn) January 25, 2018
Trump did not disappoint, telling reporters he had arrived in Switzerland bringing a message of “peace and prosperity” to the gathered world leaders and global elite. He is the first sitting U.S. president to make the trip since former President Bill Clinton went in 2000.
Reporter asks @realDonaldTrump: “What brings you to #Davos, sir?“ His response: “Peace and prosperity.” Right. #WEF18 #WiWo pic.twitter.com/VDucPq2AOv
— Léa Steinacker (@leasteinacker) January 25, 2018
When a reporter asked if Trump thought he would be received well, he replied as only Donald Trump can: “I already am. Look.”
Pres. Trump has arrived at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland. Asked if he would be received well, he joked, “I already am.” https://t.co/AYfBQlPIY1 pic.twitter.com/imZ3dYrDVV
— ABC News Politics (@ABCPolitics) January 25, 2018
Once the excitement was over, the crowd apparently returned to hear the rest of May’s speech.
Now it’s pretty full! pic.twitter.com/jB6HUpXQBw
— Daniela Vincenti (@VincentiDaniela) January 25, 2018
The two leaders were able to meet at the Forum Thursday, their first appearance together since Trump cancelled a trip to London to open the new U.S. Embassy. The president dismissed reports that the two have had a strained relationship recently.
“We’re on the same wavelength in, I think, every respect,” Trump said. “The prime minister and myself have had a really great relationship, although some people don’t necessarily believe that, but I can tell you, it’s true.”
“I think the feeling is mutual from the standpoint that we like each other a lot,” he added, saying he wanted to correct a “false rumor” about them, as May nodded.
Trump may have been referring to reports such as a recent one from Bloomberg this week relating some of the diplomatic challenges the two leaders have had that have created some tensions. The piece alleged the president did not wish to visit the United Kingdom unless May handled expected protesters and guaranteed him a “warm welcome.”
May has also been critical of Trump’s travel ban and London Mayor Sadiq Khan called for the leader to withdraw her offer for Trump to make a state visit.
Great bilateral meeting with Prime Minister Theresa May of the United Kingdom, affirming the special relationship and our commitment to work together on key national security challenges and economic opportunities. #WEF18 pic.twitter.com/FPP8aRDAyt
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 25, 2018
“We are very much joined at the hip when it comes to the military. We have the same ideas, the same ideals,” Trump told the UK prime minister Thursday, turning to her directly. “There’s nothing that would happen to you that we won’t be there to fight for you.”
May, in turn, noted the “really special relationship between the U.K. and the United States.”
“In fact… stronger because we both face the same challenges across the world, and as you say, we’re working together to meet those challenges,” she said.
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