EDINBURGH, Scotland — President Donald Trump on Monday used his luxury golf course on Scotland’s southeastern coast to host British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, mixing critical discussions on the deepening food crisis in Gaza, Russia’s war in Ukraine and tariff rates with boasts about the property’s opulence.
The two increasingly close leaders seemed relaxed and happy together, with Trump often treating the sit-down as if he were back in the Oval Office, while also not missing the chance to talk up his Turnberry course — which enriches his family business.
When the prime minister and his wife, Victoria, arrived at Trump Turnberry, the Republican president spent several minutes chatting with them and proudly pointing out key sites around the property.
Starmer came determined to press the U.S. to take a larger role in helping quell what he called a “desperate situation” amid increasing reports of starvation in Gaza as the Israel-Hamas war rages.
Trump at first was focused on complaining about the U.S. not having gotten enough credit for previously providing food aid. But he shifted tone when reporters questioned him about images of emaciated children from Gaza.
Asked if he agreed with Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s remarks about concerns of mass starvation in Gaza being overstated, he replied, “I don’t know. I mean, based on television, I would say not particularly because those children look very hungry.” Starmer immediately was far more forceful: “I think people in Britain are revolted at seeing what they are seeing on their screens.”
The president later Israel shifted his tone dramatically and suggested a major recalibration of U.S. policy toward the territory. He said Israel “has a lot of responsibility” for what’s happening but is hampered by what its actions might mean for the prospects of Israeli hostages Hamas has been holding since it attacked Israel in 2023.
“I think Israel can do a lot,” Trump said. He added that when next speaking to Netanyahu, he’d insist, “I want them to make sure they get the food,” noting that the U.S. and others are giving money and food to Gaza and that Netanyahu has “got to, sort of, like, run it.”
Trump has two Scottish golf courses and is opening a third
Once their meeting concluded, Starmer flew with Trump aboard Air Force One to outside Aberdeen, where the president’s family has a second golf course and is holding a ribbon-cutting for a third one on Tuesday.
Trump will be its first official player, though the new course opens to the public on Aug. 13 and could see a boost in sales because of the president’s promoting it. Demonstrations are planned near Trump’s Aberdeen property. That follows protests across Scotland on Saturday decrying the president’s visit as he was out golfing at Turnberry.
So much attention on his golf courses allows Trump to try to make good on a post from his first term in 2019, when he wrote of Turnberry, “Very proud of perhaps the greatest golf course anywhere in the world. Also, furthers U.K. relationship!”
Starmer is famously not a golfer, but toggling between Trump’s Scottish courses shows the outsized influence the president puts on properties bearing his name — and on golf’s ability to shape geopolitics.
The president talked at length Monday about how he spent money lavishly to upgrade the historic Turnberry course after he bought in 2014, declaring, “If you take a look at the windows in the various dining rooms, they’re magnificent.” Starmer said he was excited to “see this amazing golf course” while promising Trump, “I’ll invite you to a football ground at some stage.”
Ukraine also discussed
Britain, along with France and Germany, has criticized Israel for “withholding essential humanitarian assistance” in Gaza as hunger spreads. Over the weekend, Starmer said Britain will take part in efforts led by Jordan to airdrop aid into Gaza after Israel temporarily eased restrictions.
Starmer also is under pressure from his Labour Party lawmakers to follow France in recognizing a Palestinian state, a move Israel and the U.S. have previously condemned.
But Trump said Monday of the prime minister potentially doing so, “I don’t mind him taking a position.” Starmer has said the U.K. supports statehood for the Palestinians but it must be “part of a wider plan” for a two-state solution to the Israel-Palestinian conflict.
Trump and Starmer also talked about a possible peace deal to end fighting in Russia’s war with Ukraine, particularly trying to force Russian President Vladimir Putin to the negotiating table within a 50-day window Trump set earlier this month.
