Trump in Scotland: Brexit, Bagpipes and British Comedian's Swastika Golf Balls
Trump's press conference was interrupted in an interesting fashion.
-- Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump is on his two-day business trip to Scotland and so far has spent his time getting in touch with his Scottish roots, giving his two-cents on Brexit, and celebrating the reopening of his luxury resort and golf course Trump Turnberry.
But the trip, which is turning out to be something of an infomercial for the real estate mogul’s properties overseas, has not been without controversy.
Trump’s news conference on the golf course in Ayrshire, with the lighthouse and green hills in the backdrop, got off to a slightly rocky start. Just as Trump positioned himself at the podium, he was interrupted by British comedian, Lee Nelson, who pretended to work at the golf course.
“Sorry Donald, these are the new balls you ordered. Here for you sir, these are the new balls available from the clubhouse as part of the new Trump Turnberry range,” Nelson said joking, and holding up red golf balls with a swastika on them.
“Please forgive me. If you want you can hand them out,” Nelson said, only to be cut short by U.S. Secret Service and escorted out.
Trump then continued his press conference without another interruption, and later held a ribbon cutting ceremony.
Trump clearly did not find the joke funny, and has defended himself repeatedly against accusations that he's bigot.
Other protesters greeted Trump when he landed in Scotland, however they were roped off.
The real estate mogul has also angered some locals for suggesting a ban to Muslim immigrants traveling to the U.S. and for trying to expand his Aberdeen golf course, which he plans on visiting tomorrow, by attempting to force the neighbors from their homes.
As reported by the Washington Post, Trump failed to deliver on jobs he promised to bring to the area with the building of his golf course. Trump also fought to stop a wind farm for being built -- even going as far as to sue the government -- because he didn’t want it to block the view from his golf course.
But both properties have special sentiment to Trump, because his mother was born in Scotland.
“She would come to Turnberry with her friends and they'd have dinner at Turnberry. She didn't play golf, but they'd have dinner at Turnberry. So having taken this hotel and done the job that we've done with it is just an honor that I was given the opportunity,” Trump said Thursday.
Trump and his children, along with their families, were able to enjoy Trump Turnberry with a stroll to the 9th tee of the iconic Ailsa course, where he held the news conference, followed by bagpipers.