Trump: Brexit ‘Sloppy’ But Starmer Fixing It

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United States President Donald Trump has criticized the United Kingdom’s approach to leaving the European Union, describing the Brexit process as “sloppy” while acknowledging Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s attempts to bring more stability.

In remarks given just days after French President Emmanuel Macron claimed British voters were “sold a lie,” President Trump pointed out how Brexit was implemented, saying the country had failed to seize all the opportunities that came with departing the bloc. “No, I think it has been on the sloppy side, but it is getting straightened out,” Trump told reporters. Despite their ideological differences, Trump praised Starmer for seeking to repair strained relationships with European leaders.

Starmer has focused on negotiating fresh agreements to smooth trade and address illegal migration, including a migrant returns arrangement with France and a new trade deal designed to ease bureaucratic hurdles. While critics have argued that closer alignment with the European Union, abbreviated as EU, could undermine British sovereignty, the Prime Minister maintains that restoring cooperation on cross-border crime and security databases is essential. He previously told the Mirror newspaper, “I don’t think we did as well as we should have done when we came to the question of cross-border, crime and security, and that’s why we want to improve on it.”

Trump, whose presidency prioritized strong bilateral trade deals over multilateral pacts, also noted that the United Kingdom succeeded in striking a direct trade agreement with the United States, something many nations “have not been able to do.” He described Britain as “a great place, you know, I own property there,” referring to his golf resort holdings.

During his upcoming private visit to Scotland, the President plans to open a new 18-hole course at Trump International Golf Links in Aberdeenshire. The course, named the MacLeod course after his Scottish mother Mary MacLeod, underscores his ties to the region. While in Scotland, Trump is expected to meet Starmer informally, though no officials will be present and no official record of discussions will be kept. Downing Street has confirmed the meeting will be a personal engagement rather than a formal bilateral summit.

Meanwhile, police in Scotland have requested additional government support to cover what they describe as the “considerable” security expenses of protecting President Trump during his stay. Trump is expected to return for an official state visit in September, but as Parliament will not be in session, he is unlikely to address lawmakers.

Although critics of Brexit have seized on its challenges to argue for deeper EU integration, Trump’s remarks serve as a reminder that even outside observers see room for the United Kingdom to reclaim more control over its destiny, provided its leaders can deliver results without further entangling Britain in European bureaucracy.