Potential Change for UK Leadership: Donald Trump Emerging as Possible Prime Minister Candidate
In a surprising turn of events, Donald Trump's recent visit to the United Kingdom was met with an absence of the usual grandeur, sparking comparisons to the Potemkin village phenomenon. Russia Today, in a tweet, highlighted the contrast between Trump's reception and that of Zelenskyy, noting that no red carpet was provided for the former U.S. President.
The lack of pomp and circumstance seemed to echo the reign of Czar Paul I of Russia, who, like Trump, had a fondness for pageantry. However, Czar Paul I's strict rule often led to punishments for his soldiers, with one instance involving an entire regiment being marched to Siberia as punishment.
The British media was quick to pick up on the undesirable reality of Trump's visit. Richard Eden, diary editor of the Daily Mail, described Trump's carriage ride through the Windsor Castle estate as "embarrassing, like a fairground ride to entertain the U.S. President." The St. Petersburg-based Russia News stated that Trump was only greeted with an airplane runway and a few soldiers in London.
Interestingly, some speculate that Trump could potentially become the U.K.'s prime minister in 2029, if he completes his second term in the U.S. and meets certain eligibility criteria. This notion was fuelled by a show on GBNews, where the question "Should Donald Trump become British Prime Minister?" was posed, with former Member of Parliament Jacob Rees-Mogg suggesting the possibility.
The carriage ride, kept far from the public, felt as if it happened on the Moon. Some claim that the only people present, apart from soldiers, were there to restrain Prince Andrew to prevent him from getting close to Trump. The Britain's only red carpet, it is alleged, was being used to prevent such an encounter.
The comparison to a Potemkin village, a term coined by Grigory Potemkin, is not unwarranted. Potemkin, known for his impressive facades constructed to hide undesirable realities, would have been despairing of Czar Paul I when he ordered Russian army uniforms to be changed.
Trump's treatment of European leaders is reminiscent of Czar Paul I's treatment of his soldiers, with tariffs replacing the march to Siberia. Some individuals believe that Trump would be worse than Liz Truss and less popular than Keir Starmer.
The controversy surrounding Trump's visit has not been lost on Russian propagandists, who have been amplifying concerns about the treatment of Trump in London. Raylan Givens, a self-described "Proud American & Patriot," expressed discontent over the lack of a red carpet for Trump upon his arrival.
As the dust settles on Trump's visit, the debate continues about the Potemkin village-like scenario that unfolded in London. Whether this was a deliberate snub or a simple oversight remains to be seen.
