May 9, 2026, 3:29 p.mMay 9, 2026, 3:32 p.m
US President Donald Trump congratulated Scotland’s Prime Minister John Swinney on his election victory. “He’s a good man,” said the Republican about the head of the Scottish Independence Party (SNP). Swinney worked hard with the British royal couple to reduce tariffs on Scotch whiskey, Trump wrote, so he deserved “THIS GREAT ELECTION VICTORY.” Trump used the spelling whiskey, which is common in the USA.
John Swinney.Image: keystone
The SNP was once again the strongest force in the Scottish regional elections on Thursday, but failed to achieve its stated goal of an absolute majority. Voters overwhelmingly chose a pro-independence government, Swinney said on Saturday.
Swinney continued that he wanted to get approval from London for another independence referendum before the next British general election in 2029. In doing so, he wanted to forestall a possible election victory for the right-wing populist Reform UK party, which performed extremely well in the regional and local elections held in several parts of Great Britain this Thursday.
Trump has a bad reputation for Labor
The Labor Party in power in London and Reform UK came joint second in Scotland. This was disappointing for Labour’s Social Democrats, who have performed disastrously, particularly in Wales and in local elections in England.
Trump has had bad views on British Prime Minister and Labor leader Keir Starmer since the beginning of the Iran War. He accuses Great Britain of a lack of support in the conflict.
Trump has a bad attitude towards Starmer.Image: keystone
The US President, on the other hand, is a fan of the royal family; he recently received King Charles and Queen Camilla in Washington. He also grew fond of Scotland. His mother comes from there. Trump also runs several golf courses in the northernmost part of the UK.
Trump once got along brilliantly with the now deceased former Scottish SNP Prime Minister Alex Salmond. Salmond helped him get permission to build a golf course near Aberdeen. The two later fell out in a dispute over a wind farm on the coast in front of the golf course, which Trump tried in vain to prevent. (hkl/sda/dpa)