President Trump in the UK

By Meg Wagner, Brian Ries, James Masters and Veronica Rocha, CNN

Updated 8:12 p.m. ET, July 13, 2018
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10:09 a.m. ET, July 12, 2018

American citizens in the UK were asked to keep a low profile today. Here's why.

From CNN's James Masters

The US embassy has taken the unusual step of issuing a warning to American citizens in the UK to "keep a low profile" during the visit of President Donald Trump.

There are fears that demonstrations over Trump's three-day visit to the UK, where he will meet with British Prime Minister Theresa May and Queen Elizabeth, could turn violent.

A statement on the US embassy website warns US citizens to "be aware of your surroundings [and] exercise caution if unexpectedly in the vicinity of large gatherings that may become violent."

The largest demonstration is expected in central London on Friday, where a giant "Trump baby" balloon will fly.

10:10 a.m. ET, July 12, 2018

President Trump just arrived in the UK

President Trump is wheels down in the United Kingdom. He'll start his day there with a visit with British Prime Minister May.

Tomorrow, Trump and May will visit a defense site and then travel to Chequers, the Prime Minister's official country retreat, for bilateral talks. They'll have a news conference afterward.

Trump and the first lady will then go on to Windsor Castle to meet the Queen.

10:10 a.m. ET, July 12, 2018

3 ways the UK is protesting Trump's visit

Protesters are expected to rally during President Trump's visit to the United Kingdom. The US embassy has even warned American citizens in the UK to "keep a low profile" amid fears that protests could turn violent.

Here's a look at a few ways demonstrators are voicing their dissent:

The musical protest

There's a social media campaign to make Green Day's 2004 song "American Idiot" No. 1 in the UK by the time Trump arrives. 

The Trump baby balloon

A 19-foot-tall orange balloon — shaped to look like a baby version of Trump — will be flown in central London on Friday. It's expected to sail as high as 98 feet in the air near Parliament.

A leaflet for a July protest against Trump is seen amongst Labour party flags on June 16, 2018 in London, England.
A leaflet for a July protest against Trump is seen amongst Labour party flags on June 16, 2018 in London, England. Chris J Ratcliffe/Getty Images

The rallies

Anti-Trump demonstrations are expected to take place in Bristol, Newcastle, Leeds, Cambridge and Cardiff after Trump arrives today.

A small demonstration is expected to take place near Blenheim Palace in Oxfordshire today, the venue for Trump's black-tie dinner with May tonight. Tomorrow, demonstrators are expected to gather near Chequers, the Prime Minister's country residence, where May and Trump will hold a working lunch.

The biggest protest will take place in central London on Friday when thousands are expected to take to the streets to join the "Stop Trump" march.

8:12 a.m. ET, July 12, 2018

Trump is on his way to the UK

President Trump has been in Brussels, Belgium, for a NATO summit. Air Force One is wheels up and on its way to the UK now.

Here's a look how Trump's next two days in the UK will go down:

  • Tonight, President Trump and first lady Melania Trump black-tie dinner hosted by Prime Minister Theresa May at Blenheim Palace, the birthplace of Winston Churchill.
  • The Trumps will spend the night at the US ambassador's residence, Winfield House, by Regent's Park in London.
  • Tomorrow, Trump and May will visit a defense site and then travel to Chequers, the Prime Minister's official country retreat, for bilateral talks. They'll have a news conference afterward.
  • Trump and the first lady will then go on to Windsor Castle to meet the Queen.
  • Later that evening, the Trumps will travel to Scotland, where the President owns two golf properties, Trump Turnberry and Trump Aberdeen. It's not yet been confirmed whether the President will play golf while there for the weekend.
7:39 a.m. ET, July 12, 2018

Trump: "I think they like me a lot in the UK"

From CNN's Jeremy Daimond

President Trump is wrapping up at the NATO summit in Brussels, Belgium, before he heads to the UK later today. At a post-summit news conference, he told reporters he's OK with protests set to take place in the UK during his visit.

"I think it’s fine," Trump said. "I think they like me a lot in the UK."

Trump also said he is going to "a pretty hot spot" right now, pointing to the string of resignations from Prime Minister's Theresa May's government.

watch more:

6:59 a.m. ET, July 12, 2018

British prime minister says UK will remain a strong US ally 

From CNN's David Wilkinson in London and Deborah Bloom in Atlanta

US President Donald Trump (L) gestures as he poses alongside Britain's Prime Minister Theresa May (R) and Iceland's Prime Minister Katrín Jakobsdóttir (R) during the opening ceremony of the NATO summit in Brussels on July 11, 2018.
US President Donald Trump (L) gestures as he poses alongside Britain's Prime Minister Theresa May (R) and Iceland's Prime Minister Katrín Jakobsdóttir (R) during the opening ceremony of the NATO summit in Brussels on July 11, 2018.

British Prime Minister Theresa May praised the relationship between the US and the UK ahead of President Trump's visit to London. 

“There is no stronger alliance than that of our special relationship with the US and there will be no alliance more important in the years ahead,” she said in a statement released by 10 Downing Street Wednesday. 

"As two nations – we are safer, more prosperous and more creative when we work together," May added. "I am looking forward to this week’s important discussions.”

6:17 a.m. ET, July 12, 2018

Here's a look at Trump's strained Twitter relationship with the UK

From CNN's Faith Karimi

In recent months, President Trump has bickered with British officials over his tweets and comments, complicating his relationship with one of America's closest allies.

This is a rundown of Trump's past UK comments:

  • Trump, during a speech in Dallas defending gun ownership, compared an unnamed London hospital to a war zone.
  • He criticized the new location of the US Embassy in London after it moved from its long-standing Grosvenor Square site in central London to its new home south of the city.
  • Trump went after the UK's National Health Service, saying it's facing financial woes and accusing Democrats of seeking a similar universal health care system for the United States.
  • He caused outrage in Britain by retweeting three videos posted by Jayda Frandsen, the deputy leader of Britain First, a far-right party. The inflammatory videos showed people purported to be Muslims carrying out assaults and smashing a statue of the Virgin Mary.
  • Trump has engaged in a series of spats with London Mayor Sadiq Khan. Trump even called for an IQ test between him and the mayor to determine who's smarter.
5:58 a.m. ET, July 12, 2018

Trump is visiting the UK today. Here's what he'll do there.

From CNN's Laura Smith-Spark

US President Donald Trump (L) gestures as he poses alongside Britain's Prime Minister Theresa May (R) as Portugal's Prime Minister Antonio Costa (TOP) looks on during the opening ceremony of the NATO in Brussels on July 11, 2018
US President Donald Trump (L) gestures as he poses alongside Britain's Prime Minister Theresa May (R) as Portugal's Prime Minister Antonio Costa (TOP) looks on during the opening ceremony of the NATO in Brussels on July 11, 2018

President Trump will arrive in the UK on Thursday from a NATO summit in Brussels, according to the itinerary released by Downing Street.

This is what his visit looks like for the next two days:

Thursday

  • The President and first lady Melania Trump will attend a black-tie dinner hosted by Prime Minister Theresa May at Blenheim Palace, the birthplace of Winston Churchill.
  • The event will begin with a military parade featuring the bands of the Scots, Irish and Welsh Guards in the spectacular Great Court. The music will have an American flavor, with the "Liberty Fanfare" and the "National Emblem" chosen alongside "Amazing Grace."
  • The Trumps will spend the night at the US ambassador's residence, Winfield House, by Regent's Park in London.

Friday

  • Trump and May will visit a defense site "to witness a demonstration of the UK's cutting-edge military capabilities and integrated UK-US military training," according to a spokeswoman for May.
  • They will then travel to Chequers, the Prime Minister's official country retreat, for bilateral talks on foreign policy, to be followed by a news conference.
  • Trump and the first lady will then go on to Windsor Castle to meet the Queen.
  • Later that evening, the Trumps will travel to Scotland, where the President owns two golf properties, Trump Turnberry and Trump Aberdeen. It's not yet been confirmed whether the President will play golf while there for the weekend.