President Donald Trump’s recent trip to Scotland was soured, according to Salon reporter Brian Karem, after he spotted a headline in a Scottish newspaper that dubbed him a “convicted U.S. felon.”
“He’s done so much for the world and Scotland in particular,” said a member of Trump’s staff, speaking with Salon on the condition of anonymity. “They should be grateful!”
Trump’s five-day trip saw the president meet with British and Scottish officials, though it also included several rounds of golf at two of his own golf courses, Trump Turnberry and Trump International Golf Links. Some critics labeled the trip as a $10 million taxpayer-funded advertisement for his more than a dozen golf resorts.
Upon arriving, however, The National, a Scottish newspaper, ran the front-page headline: “Convicted U.S. felon to arrive in Scotland,” with the subheading: “Republican leader, who was found liable for sexual abuse and defamation, will visit golf courses.”
The National’s headline, coupled with the thousands of Scots participating in anti-Trump protests, apparently dampened Trump’s trip, even on the golf course.
“The president couldn’t even enjoy traveling to his brand new golf course in Scotland over the weekend,” Karem wrote. “After a day on the links, when a reporter thought Trump was in a good mood, Trump said he wasn’t – though he praised his own tee shot on the back nine. ‘Long,’ he said.”
Trump’s Scotland trip was filled with other behavioral oddities, including an attempted Scottish accent, complaints that the Secret Service made it more difficult to cheat at golf, and endless self praise for his skills on the golf course.