President Trump has a message for British protesters who plan to take to the streets and float a “Trump Baby” balloon over London during his visit next week: Bring it on.
“The president is not avoiding anything,” U.S. Ambassador to the U.K. Robert “Woody” Johnson said of expected protests.
The protesters, led by British activist Leo Murray, hope to anger Mr. Trump with the 20-foot tall balloon. It portrays the president as a fat, orange “angry baby with a fragile ego and tiny hands,” according to Mr. Murray.
The “Trump Baby” was approved to fly during the visit by London Mayor Sadiq Khan, the first Muslim to hold the job, who has an ongoing feud with Mr. Trump over the so-called Muslim travel ban.
Mr. Johnson, speaking from London in a call with reporters, said the president welcomed the demonstrations, with 50,000 protesters expected to flood the city.
“He appreciates free speech both in this country and in our country,” the ambassador said. “One of the things that bond us together is the freedoms that we share.”
He said protests would not distract the president from his objective to build upon the historically strong relationship between the two countries.
“The president is trying to get as impactful a trip as he can in a 24-hour period,” Mr. Johnson said....
Mr. Trump will attend a black-tie dinner with business and political leaders, hold talks with British Prime Minister Theresa May and meet with Queen Elizabeth II at Windsor Castle.