DONALD Trump today heaped praise on Theresa May but urged her to make sure her Brexit deal lets Britain strike a trade agreement with the US - saying, "That's all that matters."

Standing next to the Prime Minister at a press conference at Chequers, the President shifted his stance from that in The Sun's world exclusive interview where he warned a softer Brexit would 'probably kill' a US trade deal.

50 Donald Trump heaped praise on Theresa May but urged her to make sure her Brexit deal lets Britain strike a trade agreement with the US Credit: AFP

US President Donald Trump talks candidly to The Sun in exclusive interview

50 Theresa May and Donald Trump have met at Chequers for a crunch showdown Credit: AP

50 The PM and the US leader held hands as they arrived for the start of their press conference Credit: HANNAH MCKAY

50 Mrs May helped Mr Trump down the steps into the garden for the event Credit: AP

50 No10 revealed The PM gave the President an illustrated chart showing his Scottish ancestry Credit: Reuters

But he echoed the sentiment, saying: "Once the Brexit process is concluded and perhaps the UK has left the EU - I don't know what you're going to do, but whatever you're going to do is OK with me - just make sure you can trade with us, that's all that matters."

And asked to rate the strength of the Special Relationship, Mr Trump replied: "I give our relationship with the UK, in terms of a grade, the highest level of special."

Repeatedly speaking in support of the PM - he said he'd enjoyed spending so much time with her over the past two days.

The President said: "This incredible woman right here is doing a fantastic job, a great job.

"I mean that. And I must say, I have gotten to know Theresa May much better over the last two days than I have known her over the last year-and-a-half.

"I think she's a terrific woman. I think she's doing a terrific job. And, that Brexit is a very tough situation, that's a tough deal."

And he said: "The United Kingdom and the United States are bound together by a common historic heritage, language and heroes."

Mr Trump went on to explain he and Mrs May had spent the whole of dinner at Blenheim Palace last night talking to each other - and joked: "I was very embarrassed for the rest of the table, we just talked about a lot of different problems."

50 Away from Chequers thousands of people are expected to take part in a series of protests Credit: AFP

50 The President said he's confident that a trade deal will happen once the UK has quit the EU Credit: Getty

Donald Trump hails relationship with the UK as 'the highest level of special'

50 The President doubled down on his criticism of Europe's immigration policies at the press conference Credit: PA

50 Asked to rate the strength of the 'Special Relationship' Mr Trump said it was 'the highest level of special' Credit: PA

50 The President later took off on his official Marine One helicopter to meet the Queen at Windsor Castle Credit: Getty

In his Sun interview he had denied calling the PM a "bossy schoolteacher", adding: "I never said anything bad about her.

“That is fake news. I think she is a nice person. I get along with her very nicely. The Washington Post is totally fake. They are just a lobbyist for Amazon.”

He also repeated his claim to The Sun that he had given Mrs May advice on how to conduct Brexit talks.

Mr Trump said: "I did give her a suggestion. I wouldn't call it advice. I think she maybe found it a little bit brutal!"

"I can fully understand why she thought it was a little bit tough and maybe someday she'll do that if they don't make the right deal, she might very well do what I suggested that she might want to do but it is not an easy thing.

"Look at the United States how the European Union has taken advantage systematically of the United States on trade. It's a disgrace, so it's not an easy negotiation."

But neither leader explained what suggestions Mr Trump had given to the PM.

President jokes Sun interview is ‘fake news’ THE US PRESIDENT joked that The Sun was "fake news" after our exclusive interview with the world's most powerful man on Wednesday. He said that the story was "generally fine" but that the newspaper hadn't published enough of the praise he had given Theresa May. The President made the comments in an extraordinary press conference at Chequers, the Prime Minister's country retreat, attended by The Sun Political Editor Tom Newton Dunn. After the President was told by Newton Dunn that his quotes were in the piece, Mr Trump said: "Just to finish off, I have to say, I said to that paper The Sun, and they seemed like two very nice people.” Before Mrs May pointed out Newton Dunn, he went on: "Oh where is that person? Did I say nice things about Theresa May, please?... Oh good, if you reported them that's good - where, on the internet? I said very good things about her, I didn't think they put it in but that's alright. “They didn't put it in the headline, I wish they put it in the headline." A spokesman for The Sun said: "We stand by our reporting and the quotes we used - including those where the President was positive about the Prime Minister, in both the paper and in our audio - and we're delighted that the President essentially retracted his original charge against the paper later in the press conference. "To say the President called us 'fake news' with any serious intent is, well... fake news."

The President also doubled down on his criticism of Europe's immigration policies at the press conference.

He had told The Sun: "I think allowing millions and millions of people to come into Europe is very, very sad. I think you are losing your culture."

And asked about the comments today, Mr Trump said: "I think it's been very bad for Europe.

"What has happened is very tough, it's a very tough situation... you see the terror attacks that I do.

"They'd better watch themselves because you're changing culture, you're changing a lot of things, you're changing security. I do not think it's good for Europe."

Mr Trump made his comments following a lunchtime summit between the pair after watching a joint US and UK military demonstration at Sandhurst army base.

It was just hours after The Sun's world exclusive saw him say of the Chequers plan: "If they do a deal like that, we would be dealing with the European Union instead of dealing with the UK, so it will probably kill the deal.” 50 Mr Trump's press secretary Sarah Sanders tweeted a picture of hum sat in Winston Churchill's chair at Chequers Credit: Twitter 50 Mrs May made a show of unity as she praised the President and vowed to make the special relationship even closer Credit: Reuters 50 Mr Trump praised Mrs May's negotiating skills, saying he 'would much rather have her as a friend than an enemy' Credit: Reuters 50 The President joked with the reporters as he left the stage with the PM Credit: PA 50 The PM said her Chequers agreement 'provides the platform for Donald and me to agree an ambitious deal' Credit: PA Donald Trump says UK can quadruple trade with the US in a post-Brexit deal In the wake of The Sun's interview, Mrs May made a show of unity as she praised the President and vowed to make the special relationship even closer. The PM said: "We agreed today, that as the UK leaves the European Union, we will pursue an ambitious US-UK Free Trade Agreement. "The Chequers agreement reached last week provides the platform for Donald and me to agree an ambitious deal that works for both countries right across our economies. "A deal that builds on the UK’s independent trade policy; reducing tariffs, delivering a gold-standard in financial services co-operation, and - as two of the world’s most advanced economies - seizing the opportunity of new technology. "All of this will further enhance our economic co-operation, creating new jobs and prosperity for our peoples for generations to come." Asked if her Chequers plan would block global trade deals, Mrs May replied: "There will be no limit to the possibility of us doing trade deals with the rest of the world." Towards the end of the press conference, Mr Trump praised her negotiating skills, saying: "I would much rather have her as my friend than my enemy." Mrs May added: "And we are friends." May gives Trump ancestry chart - and perfume for Melania THERESA May today gave Donald Trump a personalised gift to mark his historic visit to Britain - as well as an additional present for his wife Melania. The PM gave the President an illustrated chart showing his Scottish ancestry - which comes through his mother, Mary Anne Macleod. The document traces Mary Anne's lineage back to 1776 - the year the US declared independence from Britain. It uses a 19th-century map of the Isle of Lewis, her birthplace, as a background, as well as Victorian pictures of the island in the Hebrides. Downing Street said: "This gift underlines the deep historical links that many modern-day Americans have with the United Kingdom." Mrs May and her husband Philip also gave Melania Trump a bespoke perfume called "The First Lady" in her honour. The scent was made by J Floris Ltd, the official perfumier to the Queen which has also supplied Florence Nightingale, Winston Churchill, Marilyn Monroe and Princess Diana. It includes elements of cherry blossom, rose heart and bergamot, and comes in a custom bottle with Mrs Trump's initials. 50 He described claims he called Mrs May a 'bossy schoolteacher' were 'fake news' Credit: Getty

50 The two leaders are addressing the media after their working lunch Credit: AFP

50 Mr Trump and Mrs May walked from the house together to the press conference in the garden Credit: Getty

50 After watching a joint US and UK military demonstration at Sandhurst Mr Trump took his official helicopter to Mrs May's country residence Credit: PA

50 The PM and Mr Trump posed for pictures with their teams ahead of the talks Credit: AFP

But Mr Trump repeated his praise of Boris Johnson, who quit as Foreign Secretary on Monday in protest at Mrs May's Brexit plan.

He told the press conference: "They asked about Boris, I said, he’ll be a great PM, he’s been very nice to me.

"He thinks I’m doing a great job. I am doing a great job - just in case you haven’t noticed."

Meanwhile the First Lady Melania Trump went on a joint visit the Royal Hospital Chelsea with the PM’s husband Philip May.

Later Mr Trump will head to Windsor Castle where he and his wife will be treated to a Guard of Honour from the British military before having tea with the Queen.

He will then fly up to Scotland for a private two-day visit, spending time over the weekend at his Turnberry golf resort in Ayrshire.

Mr Trump told The Sun during his Brussels visit earlier this week: “If they do a deal like that, we would be dealing with the European Union instead of dealing with the UK, so it will probably kill the deal.”

Meanwhile thousands of people are expected to take part in a series of protests during his stay in the UK.

50 Mr Trump took off in his official helicopter this morning from central London Credit: AFP

50 Last night he attended a dinner at Blenheim Palace with Theresa May Credit: AFP

50 First Lady Melania Trump and the PM's husband Philip May are visiting the Royal Hospital Chelsea today Credit: Reuters

50 Melania Trump made Remembrance Day poppies with schoolchildren Credit: EPA

50 She and Mr May tried their hand at bowls whilst meeting some Chelsea Pensioners Credit: Getty

50 The official White House Photographer snapped a picture of the First Lady with US ambassador Woody Johnson's wife Suzanne Ircha Credit: Official White House Photo by Shealah Craighead

Brexiteers and Remainers have interpreted the interview in a number of different ways, with Eurosceptic MPs saying Mr Trump's remarks should kill off the PM's Chequers plan.

But pro-EU politicians insisted the comments prove Brexit is a mistake.

Jacob Rees-Mogg, chair of the European Research Group, added: "The UK wants to do a trade deal with Donald Trump, and he said if you want to do a trade deal with the United States this isn't the way to do it."

Senior Tory Nigel Evans told Sky News: "He's saying that the whole trade deal may be off simply because of the white paper - and if that is the case then we must tear up the white paper.

"It does seem to me that not only have we got one foot in the European Union, we've got one foot in the grave."

Meanwhile Lib Dem leader Vince Cable said the Chequers proposal was now doomed, adding: “This is the final wake-up call on Brexit; the Conservatives’ fudged plans are dead in the water."

50 The President's official helicopter Marine One is parked up in the grounds at Chequers Credit: AFP

50 A member of the US President's staff was pictured cleaning the presidential limousine at Chequers Credit: Reuters

Meeting with @realDonaldTrump and Prime Minister May - BIG ISSUES on the table! pic.twitter.com/CUvRyKqTRX — Ambassador Johnson (@USAmbUK) July 13, 2018

50 After today's events Mr Trump will then fly up to Scotland for a private two-day visit Credit: AP

50 Snipers keep watch as US President Donald Trump and Britain's Prime Minister Theresa May meet at Chequers Credit: AFP

The PM has also asked a group of Tory MPs to come round for tea at Chequers this evening, after Mr Trump has left, where she hopes to persuade them to back the plan which was thrashed out at the house exactly a week ago.

Mrs May's spokesman today defending the proposals, saying: "We are confident we can do a good trade deal with the US.

"We are looking forward to building a deep and special partnership with the EU and to agreeing an ambitious and confident trade deal with the US."

Chancellor Philip Hammond said: "The President hasn't yet had a chance I think to discuss with the Prime Minister the white paper, which was after all only published yesterday.”

He added: "I saw that the President was nodding furiously as she was speaking last night, and I'm sure there will be a very positive discussion between them today."

I told May how to do Brexit but she didn't listen to me

It comes following our interview with Mr Trump was published this morning

US President Donald Trump talks candidly to The Sun about the British Prime Minister Theresa May and Brexit

THERESA May’s new soft Brexit blueprint would “kill” any future trade deal with the United States, Donald Trump warns today.

Mounting an extraordinary attack on the PM’s exit negotiation, the President revealed she has ignored his advice on how to toughen up the troubled talks.

Instead he believes Mrs May has gone “the opposite way”, and he thinks the results have been “very unfortunate”.

His fiercest criticism came over the centrepiece of the PM’s new Brexit plan — which was unveiled in full yesterday.

It would stick to a common ­rulebook with Brussels on goods and agricultural produce in a bid to keep customs borders open with the EU.

But Mr Trump told The Sun: “If they do a deal like that, we would be dealing with the European Union instead of dealing with the UK, so it will probably kill the deal.

“If they do that, then their trade deal with the US will probably not be made.”

The bombshell intervention will pour nitroglycerine on the already raging Tory Brexiteer revolt against the PM.

Theresa May greets President Donald Trump at Blenheim Palace last night

US President Donald Trump talks candidly to The Sun about UK / US deals

A big US-UK trade deal, long promised by Mr Trump, is cherished by Leave campaigners as Brexit’s biggest prize.

But the President said Mrs May’s plan “will definitely affect trade with the United States, unfortunately in a negative way”.

He explained: “We have enough difficulty with the European Union.

“We are cracking down right now on the European Union because they have not treated the United States fairly on trading.

“No, if they do that I would say that that would probably end a major trade relationship with the United States.”

50 Theresa May and Donald Trump walk across the courtyard at Blenheim Palace, where they attended a dinner Credit: Reuters

Questioned on Boris Johnson’s comments at a private dinner two weeks ago that Mr Trump “would go in bloody hard” if he was negotiating Brexit, the President swiftly replied: “He is right.”

He added: “I would have done it much differently. I actually told Theresa May how to do it but she didn’t agree, she didn’t listen to me.

“She wanted to go a different route.

“I would actually say that she probably went the opposite way. And that is fine.

“She should negotiate the best way she knows how. But it is too bad what is going on.”

US President Donald Trump talks candidly to The Sun about Trade

50 Theresa May rolled out the red carpet for President Trump and wife Melania during their first night in Britain Credit: AFP or licensors

Asked if that meant he would be prepared to walk away from the negotiating table, Trump replied: “Oh, absolutely. I think what is going on is very unfortunate. Too long.

“You know, deals that take too long are never good ones. When a deal takes so long, they never work out very well.”

Mr Trump also went even further in questioning whether Mrs May’s new Brexit plan upholds the referendum result — which he claimed he predicted two years ago. He said: “The deal she is striking is a much ­different deal than the one the people voted on.

“It was not the deal that was in the referendum. I have just been hearing this over the last three days. I know they have had a lot of resignations. So a lot of people don’t like it.”

Despite the withering criticism of Mrs May’s Brexit strategy, Trump insisted he still thinks she is “a very good person”.

He also denied claims that she bores him.

Asked about a report in The Washington Post that he thinks of Mrs May as “a bossy schoolteacher”, Mr Trump said: “No, no, no, no. I never said anything bad about her.

“That is fake news. I think she is a nice person. I get along with her very nicely. The Washington Post is totally fake. They are just a lobbyist for Amazon.”

Recalling a visit to one of his luxury golf resorts in Scotland two years ago, Mr Trump said: “I predicted Brexit.

50 Donald Trump and US First Lady Melania Trump were welcomed by Britain's Prime Minister Theresa May and her husband Philip May Credit: Getty - Pool

“I was cutting a ribbon for the opening of Turnberry — you know they totally did a whole renovation, it is beautiful — the day before the Brexit vote.

“I said, ‘Brexit will happen’. The vote is going to go positive, because people don’t want to be faced with the horrible immigration problems that they are being faced with in other countries.

“You remember that Barack Obama said that there is no way it is going to happen, and the UK will get to the back of the line if it ever does, right? I said Brexit will happen, and I was right.”

At a press conference in Brussels yesterday at the end of a summit of Nato leaders, Mr Trump again cast doubt on whether the PM’s soft Brexit plan was true to the referendum result.

He said: “I don’t know if that’s what they voted for.”

50 Donald Trump, unlike predecessor Barack Obama, predicted Brexit Credit: Getty - Contributor

Downing Street was left shell-shocked by the criticism.

Mrs May rushed out her own statement to hit back at the President’s claim.

The PM insisted: “We have come to an agreement at the proposal we’re putting to the European Union which absolutely delivers on the Brexit people voted for.

They voted for us to take back control of our money, our law and our borders and that’s exactly what we will do.”

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Johnson tipped as future PM

50 Donald Trump tipped former Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson as a future Prime Minister Credit: EPA

US President Donald Trump talks candidly to The Sun about Boris Johnson

DONALD Trump praised Boris Johnson as a future Prime Minister.

The US President described the former Foreign Secretary as “a very talented guy”, adding: “I like him a lot.”

He said: “I have a lot of respect for Boris. He obviously likes me, and says very good things about me.

“I was very saddened to see he was leaving government and I hope he goes back in at some point. I think he is a great representative for your country.”

Asked if the ex-minister could be in No 10 one day, he replied: “Well I am not pitting one against the other. I am just saying I think he would be a great Prime Minister. I think he’s got what it takes.”

Novichok attack will not stop Trump meeting Putin BRITAIN’S fury over the Salisbury nerve agent attack will not stop Donald Trump from bonding with Vladimir Putin next week. The President flies from the UK to a summit with the Russian leader in Helsinki on Monday. Quizzed on whether the Novichok attack made him reconsider, he said: “I think getting along with China, getting along with Russia, is a good thing.” He suggested Mrs May’s plans for a soft Brexit was a hostile move towards the US because “the European Union is very bad to the United States on trade”. Theresa May has urged Mr Trump to tackle Mr Putin on Novichok and other international outrages, including cyber attacks.

Mayor Khan doesn't like me but I say to him: You've done terrible job on terror

DONALD Trump today claims Mayor of London Sadiq Khan is responsible for the terror attacks on the British capital.

The Labour heavyweight has “done a very bad job on terrorism” by allowing so many migrants to come to the city, the President controversially argues.

US President Donald Trump talks candidly to The Sun ​about London's Mayor Sadiq Khan

50 Donald Trump claimed Sadiq Khan is responsible for the terror attacks on the British capital Credit: Dan Charity - The Sun

The incendiary remarks are the most vicious in the White House boss’s long-running feud with London’s first Muslim mayor.

It began more than two years ago during Trump’s US presidential election campaign when Mr Khan attacked his vow to temporarily ban all Muslims from entering America.

Deepening the duo’s bitter war of words again, Mr Trump told The Sun in an exclusive interview ahead of his arrival in Britain: “I think allowing millions and millions of people to come into Europe is very, very sad.

“I look at cities in Europe, and I can be specific if you’d like. You have a mayor who has done a terrible job in London. He has done a terrible job.

50 The Mayor of London Sadiq Khan has 'done a very bad job on terrorism', says Trump Credit: PA:Press Association

“Take a look at the terrorism that is taking place. Look at what is going on in London. I think he has done a very bad job on terrorism.

“I think he has done a bad job on crime, if you look, all of the horrible things going on there, with all of the crime that is being brought in.”

London was hit by four terror attacks last year — including in Westminster, London Bridge, Parsons Green Tube station and Finsbury Park’s mosque.

Speaking to The Sun inside the US Embassy in Brussels, the US President also revealed he thinks Mr Khan has shown a lack of respect to America by attacking him personally.

50 The US President also revealed he thinks Mr Khan has shown a lack of respect to America by attacking him personally Credit: PA:Press Association

Mr Trump added: “I think he has not been hospitable to a government that is very important. Now he might not like the current President, but I represent the United States.

“I also represent a lot of people in Europe because a lot of people from Europe are in the United States.”

Mr Trump also clashed with Mr Khan after last June’s van and knife rampage on London Bridge and Borough Market — mocking the mayor for his appeal to Londoners to stay calm.

The President tweeted: “At least 7 dead and 48 wounded in terror attack and Mayor of London says there is ‘no reason to be alarmed!’”

50 Donald Trump clashed with Sadiq Khan after last June’s van and knife rampage on London Bridge and Borough Market Credit: Getty - Contributor

Mr Khan described the tweet as “ill-informed”.

A source close to Mr Khan last night pointed out that the Home Office is in charge of immigration policy for London and the whole country and not those in City Hall.

Meanwhile, a Tory MP faced calls to be suspended yesterday after being accused of Islamophobia over a picture he tweeted of Mr Khan.

Michael Fabricant posted an image with the London Mayor’s head on an inflatable pig that is being mounted by a second pig along with Mr Trump laughing.

Piers Morgan and Sadiq Khan get into furious row over crime stats in London as GMB host asks ‘Is my child going to be stabbed in the street?’

The tweet is thought to be in response to Mr Khan’s decision to allow a 20ft “Trump Baby” blimp to be flown over London during the President’s visit.

Mr Fabricant deleted the image and claimed he did not see that it featured Mr Khan’s face, saying: “My fault was not checking it closer on my iPhone first.”

But Labour’s Luke Pollard said: “Tweeting racism is not a good look for a Conservative MP when there is a real problem with Islamophobia in the Tory party.”

Trump on London crimewave DONALD Trump says London is in the middle of a crimewave — and blasted Sadiq Khan for failing to tackle the problem. He said the mayor has “done a bad job on crime”. It follow suggestions by the President earlier this year that gangs in the capital were getting round our strict gun laws by stabbing people instead. Mr Trump said: “Yes that’s right — they don’t have guns, they have knives.” More than 50 Londoners have been killed with knives this year. Nine people have been shot. In 2017, there were at least 115 murder probes with 80 deaths the result of stabbings.

Blood on the walls

ONE British hospital is so bad that it has “blood all over the walls”, the President has claimed.

Recalling an article he read recently, Mr Trump said: “They had a story in one of the major New York newspapers recently about your hospital. You know about that story? I’m sure you’ve seen it.

50 Donald Trump claimed that one British hospital is so bad that it has 'blood all over the walls' Credit: AFP or licensors

“What they say is, it is worse than any hospital they have ever seen in a war zone.

“It is right in the middle of London. I guess it used to be the ultimate and now there is, you know, there is blood all over the walls, all over the floors.

“It was a very major story and I have heard it from others, too, so I think it is very sad. Very sad.”

It is the second time the US leader has attacked the hospital, which he has not named.

It is believed to be the Royal London Hospital in Whitechapel, East London, where a record 702 stabbing victims were treated last year.

Trump dubbed it “a war zone” during a speech in May to the National Rifle Association about the spiralling danger posed by knife crime.

Leading Royal London trauma surgeon Dr Martin Griffiths later said he would be “happy to invite Mr Trump to my prestigious hospital”.



Migrants 'harm UK'

BRITAIN and the rest of Europe is “losing its culture” because of immigration, Donald Trump says.

The wave of migrants from the Middle East and Africa is permanently changing the continent for the worse, the 72 year-old president argued.

50 Donald Trump says Britain and the rest of Europe is 'losing its culture' because of immigration Credit: AP:Associated Press

And he claimed the situation pains him personally as the son of two EU countries.

Mr Trump told The Sun: “I have great love for countries in Europe.

“Don’t forget, essentially I’m a product of the European Union, between Scotland and Germany.

“Right? My father Germany, my mother Scotland.

50 Trump says the wave of migrants from the Middle East and Africa is permanently changing the continent Credit: Reuters

But in a controversial outburst, he added: “I think what has happened to Europe is a shame.

“Allowing the immigration to take place in Europe is a shame.

“I think it changed the fabric of Europe and, unless you act very quickly, it’s never going to be what it was and I don’t mean that in a positive way.

“So I think allowing millions and millions of people to come into Europe is very, very sad.

“I think you are losing your culture. Look around. You go through certain areas that didn’t exist ten or 15 years ago.”

Mr Trump made tackling illegal US immigration one of the planks of his 2016 election campaign.

No1 fan loves his football shirt gift

50 President Trump with an England shirt presented to him by The Sun Credit: Paul Edwards The SUN

“MR President, these gentlemen are from The Sun,” an aide formally announced as we were ushered into the Trump inner sanctum.

Entering the court of an emperor, it pays to bring a gift.

We presented him with an England shirt when we interviewed him at the US Embassy in Brussels on Wednesday, ahead of the Nato summit.

“Oh wow. I love gifts,” he said, happily obliging our photographer Paul Edwards by holding the personalised top up with a trademark grin.

“You don’t hear the word England as much as you should,” he continued.

“I think England is a beautiful name.”

Two things about him struck me most.

50 Donald Trump was all smiles as he posed with his new gift Credit: Paul Edwards The SUN

First, Trump has total power. Nobody on his White House staff tells him what to say, or questions him when he says it.

When Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders announced our scheduled ten-minute slot was almost up, the President swiftly interjected: “No, give them a little bit more.”

We stayed for 28 minutes, with no more prompts to go.

Secondly, he is a very sensitive man, constantly saying how much various people like him. It clearly pains him today that he is not being welcomed to Britain as a hero and our most important ally.

On our way out, we met Trump’s Chief of Staff John Kelly. The former US Marine Corps general took me aside and said: “I read The Sun every day. I love Britain.”

Why would I stay in London when I feel so unwelcome?

50 Donald Trump, pictured arriving in the UK, admitted he 'feels unwelcome' in London Credit: AP:Associated Press

DONALD Trump has admitted he “feels unwelcome” in London as a major ­security operation was launched for his arrival in the UK yesterday.

But the tycoon insists real British people “love the President of the United States”.

Mr Trump told The Sun he will be largely staying away from the capital to avoid huge street protests of up to 200,000 today.

But he blamed them on politicians — singling out his nemesis, Mayor of London Sadiq Khan.

Revealing he has been told of the 20ft “Trump Baby” blimp that will be flown above Parliament Square today, he said: “I guess when they put out blimps to make me feel unwelcome, no reason for me to go to London.

“I used to love London as a city. I haven’t been there in a long time. But when they make you feel unwelcome, why would I stay there?

50 Mr Trump told The Sun he will be largely staying away from the capital to avoid huge street protests of up to 200,000 Credit: AP:Associated Press

“And when I say that I am talking about government because the ­people of the UK agree with me.”

Mr Trump let his true feelings slip during an exclusive interview with The Sun hours before Air Force One touched down at Stansted Airport at 2pm yesterday.

Of his four-day visit, he added: “Many people are delighted. I get thousands of notifications from people in the UK that they love the President of the United States.”

He described a West London pub being renamed The Trump Arms for the duration of the trip as “wonderful”, adding: “I love those people. Those are my people.”

50 Donald Trump insists real British people 'love the President of the United States' Credit: Reuters

Mr Trump added: “You know, a poll just came out that I am the most popular person in the history of the Republican Party — 92 per cent. Beating Lincoln. I beat our Honest Abe.

“But the people of the UK, and I’ll bet if you had an honest poll, I’d be very strong. They want the same thing I want. I love the UK.”

His trip is a lower key working visit rather than the full state visit that the Queen invited him on 18 months ago.

Asked why he has failed to visit Britain as President until now, Mr Trump said: “Well, you know the United States has been very busy. We have been doing very well.”

Theresa May hosted a dinner with 150 business bosses at Winston Churchill’s birthplace Blenheim Palace for Mr Trump last night.

The Scots, Irish and Welsh Guards’ bands opened the event with a military ceremony in the Great Court.

Mr Trump and wife Melania are travelling everywhere in his Marine One helicopter to avoid demonstrations — including in and out of last night’s accommodation at the US Ambassador’s residence, Winfield House in Regents Park.

Protesters outside mounted a “Keep Trump Awake” rally — banging pots, pans and drums and blowing vuvuzelas from 8pm.

But when an estimated 200,000 protesters meet for the “Together Against Trump March” in central London at 2pm today, he will be at Chequers for talks with Mrs May.

The Trumps then fly to Scotland to spend the weekend at his golf resorts in Turnberry and Aberdeen.

Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn attacked Mrs May for inviting Mr Trump to Britain while “his dangerous and inhumane policies are putting the lives and wellbeing of millions of people at risk”.

Trump to meet 'incredible' Queen DONALD Trump described the Queen as “a tremendous woman” ahead of their first meeting today. The US President and wife Melania were due to have tea with the 92-year-old monarch at Windsor Castle this afternoon. He told The Sun he was not nervous about it — but was in awe of Her Majesty’s flawless public service. Mr Trump said: “She is a tremendous woman. I really look forward to meeting her. I think she represents her country so well. “If you think of it, for so many years she has represented her country, she has really never made a mistake. You don’t see, like, anything embarrassing. She is just an incredible woman. “My wife is a tremendous fan of hers. She has got a great and beautiful grace about her.” Mr Trump’s Scottish-born mum Mary was an obsessive fan of the Queen, he said. He added: “My mother loved the Queen. Any time the Queen was on television, my mother wanted to watch it.” Her Majesty will meet Mr Trump and the First Lady at the dais in the Quadrangle of the historic royal residence in Berkshire. A guard of honour, comprised of the Coldstream Guards, will give a royal salute and US anthem The Star-Spangled Banner will be played. Mr Trump and the Queen will then inspect the guard of honour and watch the soldiers march past. Afterwards, The President and First Lady will join the Queen for tea inside the castle. Her Majesty has met with previous White House couples including Barack and Michelle Obama, George W and Laura Bush, and Ronald and Nancy Reagan.

UK must up defence spending

50 Donald Trump told The Sun he agrees with Jim Mattis '100 per cent' on defence spending Credit: AFP or licensors

THERESA May must listen to her generals and hike defence spending to keep the Special Relationship intact, said Mr Trump.

His Secretary of Defense asked the UK Government to go significantly above Nato’s minimum target of 2 per cent of GDP in funding for its military as the US’s major ally.

The President told The Sun he agrees with Jim Mattis “100 per cent”.

He added: “Two per cent isn’t enough. The US pays 4.2 per cent of a much larger GDP.

“I’m very impressed that Jim sent that letter. I think that is an exact right letter.”

Mr Trump defended himself against allies’ charges of blackmail over his demand for rapid rises in all 29 Nato member states’ defence budgets.

Asked if he was a bully, he said: “I’ll tell you what, we’ve had 40 years of presidents saying the same thing in a nicer way and they got nothing, so call it what you want.

US President Donald Trump talks candidly to The Sun about​ Defence budgets​

“They’re taking ad­vantage of the United States. I’m not going to let it happen.”

Mr Trump caused panic by implying he could pull the US out of Nato if other countries did not hike their contributions.

He was asked at a Brussels press conference if he had threatened to withdraw and replied: “I told people I’d be very unhappy if they didn’t up their commitment. Yesterday I let them know I was extremely unhappy.”

He insisted nations had finally agreed to increase expenditure, adding: “Everyone in the room thanked me.”

But French President Emmanuel Macron de­nied Nato allies had agreed a spending rise.

The US wants its Nato allies to share more of the financial burden on defence.

In 2014 Nato nations committed to moves toward reaching the 2 per cent of GDP figure within 10 years.

Nato estimated just 15 members will meet the aim by 2024 based on current trends.

Trump met by protesters By Nick Pisa and Greg Wilford THE £30million security operation to support Donald Trump’s visit was put to the test soon after he arrived when demonstrators gathered where he was staying. Mr Trump’s plane Air Force One touched down at Stansted Airport in Essex before a helicopter took him and First Lady Melania to the US ambassador’s residence, Winfield House, in London’s Regent’s Park. Around 400 protesters were gathered there to stage a Wall of Noise demo, banging pots and pans and blowing whistles. The property had been surrounded by a specially built 9ft-high steel fence with concrete bollards. Turnstiles and metal detectors were at the building’s entrances, guarded by US Secret Service agents all wearing earpieces and shades. Cops were in the minaret of the nearby Regent’s Park mosque overlooking the residence, while armed officers patrolled its perimeter. And US agents on golf buggies patrolled the park as amazed tourists and office workers looked on. Last night, Mr Trump and Melania flew in the President’s Marine One helicopter for a black tie dinner hosted by PM Theresa May and hubby Philip at Winston Churchill’s Oxfordshire birthplace Blenheim Palace. Meanwhile, as many as 100,000 are expected to gather in central London in a protest today called by organisers Together Against Trump. But with around 10,000 cops on duty in an operation codenamed Manifold, tight security means he and Melania will be kept well away from any demonstrators. Mr Trump had said he was “fine” with planned protests. He said: “I think they like me a lot in the UK.”