Team Trump itching to see 'regime change' in the UK

David Maddox’s Washington DC trip for the new president’s inauguration revealed that the UK/US special relationship has morphed into deep antipathy for Starmer and Labour

- David Maddox

For those who were carefully listening, Nigel Farage had an interesting message in his speech at the “Stars and Stripes Union Jack” party three days before the inauguration.

He told an audience of leading right-wing Britons, a GB News film crew and a plethora of Donald Trump supporters – including members of the incoming president’s trusted circle – that he believed he would win the next general election. But he added: “I just hope it happens while Donald Trump is still president.”

Trump’s presidency is set to run out in 2028, a year before Keir Starmer has to go to the country in the UK. So was it Farage optimism or was there something else at play? This was not just a piece of wishful thinking said in a vacuum, it reflected a virulent mood among Trump’s supporters and advisers.

Team Trump hates Starmer

The one thing that struck anybody having conversations with anyone involved in the Trump team, from lowly researchers to senior advisers, was the unanimity of hatred about Sir Keir Starmer’s Labour government. There was no pretence, no attempt to hide it.

It is worth underlining that this goes well beyond a series of angry tweets from Elon Musk and is much more deep-rooted. It may be that the decision by the bete noire Justin Trudeau to step down as prime minister of Canada has left a space for an international “socialist” hate figure which Keir Starmer has now filled.

Communist, Marxist, authoritarian, idiots, CCP (Chinese Community Party) puppets and other terms were trotted out with regular abandon. There was contempt for Starmer’s policies and worldview but most interestingly, there was a sense of pity for all the Britons they ran into.

“I’m so sorry for what’s happened to your country,” said one.

“Britain used to be great, we need to make it great again,” added another.

“What has happened to your country?” yet another asked.