Trump’s Scotland Trip Highlights Changing Sentiment on Brexit and Populism

🛬 Trump Visits Scotland Again — Same Resort, Different Political Climate

Nine years after he celebrated Brexit at his Turnberry golf resort, President Donald J. Trump is back in Scotland — but the political winds have shifted.

In 2016, Trump arrived just after Britain voted to leave the European Union, declaring the result a major win for sovereignty and predicting that the same populist forces would boost his own U.S. presidential campaign. Months later, he was elected president.

Now, during his second term, he’s returned to the same Scottish property, with many of his 2016 predictions fulfilled — but also challenged by the current reality in Britain.

📉 Public Opinion on Brexit Has Reversed

While Trump once saw Brexit as a symbol of global populism, most Britons now regret the decision. Recent polling from YouGov shows that nearly 60% of UK citizens believe leaving the EU was a mistake, with only about 31% still supporting it.

Under Prime Minister Keir Starmer, the UK government is actively working to repair ties with the European Union, a clear reversal from the Brexit-first policy agenda of previous Conservative leaders.

🗳 Trump’s Populist Message Once Echoed Brexit — But Europe Has Moved On

Back in 2016, Trump linked his presidential campaign to Brexit, highlighting a shared push for border control, national sovereignty, and anti-immigration sentiment.

And while leaders like Italy’s Giorgia Meloni are seeing gains, others such as Hungary’s Viktor Orbán are struggling. The wave of populism in Europe has become more fragmented, with fewer unified wins across the continent.

“Populism is still limited,” said Kim Darroch, Britain’s former ambassador to the U.S. “Even Brexit’s strongest supporters admit it hasn’t delivered what was promised.”

🗣 “I Called It”: Trump’s 2016 Visit Remembered

Trump’s first Turnberry visit after the Brexit vote became a moment of political theatre. Standing beside his Scottish resort’s iconic lighthouse and speaking over bagpipes, Trump declared:

“They took their country back… You’re going to see this happen in other countries too.”

Though Scotland voted to remain in the EU, Trump still played the role of cheerleader for Brexit. His message of reclaiming control resonated globally, especially with U.S. voters.

🏴 Scotland Wasn’t His Audience Then — And Isn’t Now

Despite owning resorts there, Trump remains unpopular in Scotland. Locals have long criticized him for disputes with neighbors, particularly at his other property, Trump International Scotland near Aberdeen.

Still, Scotland wasn’t his real audience in 2016 — or now. His message was aimed at wider Western populist sentiment, which later fueled both his election and the rise of right-wing movements across Europe.

🤝 Trump Meets UK and EU Leaders Amid Shifting Alliances

President Trump’s 2025 visit is more diplomatic than political. While he’s not expected to speak directly on Brexit’s failures, he will:

• Meet Prime Minister Keir Starmer on Monday

• Host EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen on Sunday

• Discuss U.S.-EU trade talks, signaling a new tone in foreign relations

Trump and Starmer also signed a U.S.-UK trade agreement in May, marking a turning point in their relationship, despite past differences.

🤔 Will Trump Meet Farage?

There’s still no confirmation whether Trump will meet Nigel Farage, leader of Reform U.K., who remains his strongest British political ally. Farage has gained traction by pushing a similar anti-establishment message and tapping into Brexit-era frustration.

Former Trump adviser Steve Bannon defended the legacy of Brexit, saying:

“The U.K. has its sovereignty back, and no matter the polls, they’ll never go back to the EU.”

📌 Conclusion: A Legacy Revisited — But Not Unquestioned

Trump’s 2025 return to Scotland brings a sense of déjà vu — but also serves as a reality check. The populist surge he once championed has faded in some areas and evolved in others.

While Trump remains a dominant global figure, especially with a second state visit from King Charles III planned for September, the political environment in both the U.K. and Europe is far more complex than in 2016.