Though President Donald Trump praised the United Kingdom and several members of the royal family during his state banquet speech, he also used it as an opportunity to boast about himself. On Wednesday, September 17, the president and the first lady, Melania Trump, attended an elaborate state dinner at Windsor Castle.
During his speech at the state dinner, Trump called the experience “one of the highest honors of my life.” He also spoke about how “it is a privilege to be the first American president welcomed here.” Per the New York Times, Trump is actually not the first president welcomed to Windsor Castle. He may have been referring to his unprecedented second state visit.
“And if you think about it, a lot of presidents, and this was this was the second state visit and that is the first,” he continued. “Maybe that is going to be the last time. I hope it is, actually.”
Toward the end of his speech, Trump suggested that the United States is doing so much better now that he’s president. “We are, as a country, as you know, doing unbelievably well,” the president said. In an apparent jab at former president Joe Biden, he added, “We had a very sick country one year ago, and today I believe we’re the hottest country anywhere in the world.”
He then seemed to imply that everyone agrees with his perception. “In fact, nobody’s even questioning it,” he said. In making those partisan comments, Trump was likely not following protocol for a state banquet, according to The Mirror. King Charles looked down as Trump spoke about the U.S. being the “hottest country.”
Elsewhere in his speech, Trump praised King Charles for “preserving the glory and unique character of this kingdom, restoring life to the rivers and streams, supporting the works of its artists and composers, planting trees and gardens in his countryside.” He also noted that Charles “has raised a remarkable son,” referring to Prince William and not mentioning Prince Harry at all.
Addressing William, Trump said, “I think you’re going to have unbelievable success in the future.” He also reiterated his comments about Kate Middleton’s beauty, calling her “so radiant and so healthy, so beautiful.”
