(CNN) —
After two-and-a-half years of unsteady dealings and the occasional insult, President Donald Trump offered a deeply gracious send-off for Prime Minister Theresa May on Tuesday, their final interaction before May steps aside amid a paralyzing debate over Brexit.
It was an uncharacteristically courteous display from a President who a day earlier was insulting London’s mayor from his plane and griping about negative coverage of his state visit here.
Twenty-four hours later, Trump appeared charmed by the overt displays of flattery on offer by Britain’s royal family and members of the government, deeming Queen Elizabeth II a “fantastic person” and hailing the long-established special transatlantic relationship.
While he professed to be wary of taking opinions on Britain’s internal matters, Trump predicted Brexit would and should happen – and said May had “brought it to a very good point where something will take place in the not too distant future.”
“I think she’s done a very good job,” Trump said, reversing past critiques of her failure to strike a deal that both Parliament and the EU can accept.
“This is a great, great country and it wants its own identity,” Trump said. “It wants to have its own borders. It wants to run its own affairs. This is a very, very special place and I think it deserves a special place.”
Still, for all his praise of May, Trump did not hide his enthusiasm for some of the men who may replace her, even those who have been sharply critical of May’s handling of Brexit.
He said Boris Johnson, the former London mayor who resigned in protest from May’s cabinet, “would do a very good job” as prime minister. Earlier in the day, Trump phoned Johnson and offered a one-to-one meeting, according to a British official. Johnson thanked the President for the invitation, but declined the meeting to focus on a political event that was happening at the same time, the official said.
Trump also offered praise for foreign secretary Jeremy Hunt, another contender to replace May. And though he claimed not to know Michael Gove, the environment minister and a third possible candidate, he was assured that he, too, would suffice as prime minister.
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US President Donald Trump, visiting the Normandy American Cemetery in France, participates in a ceremony to commemorate the 75th anniversary of D-Day on Thursday, June 6.
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Trump and his wife, Melania, visit the graves of troops who died on D-Day.
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The Trumps are joined by French President Emmanuel Macron and his wife, Brigitte, as they watch a flyover on June 6.
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A World War II veteran shows Trump a photo of himself with the President.
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Trump addresses the commemoration ceremony in France.
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Macron and Trump embrace during the D-Day ceremony.
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A World War II veteran looks over Trump's shoulder during the commemoration ceremony.
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At a D-Day event held Wednesday, June 5, in Portsmouth, England, Trump reads a prayer that President Franklin D. Roosevelt gave over the radio on D-Day.
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Trump heads back after speaking at the event in Portsmouth on June 5.
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Britain's Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Charles play host to the Trumps at the D-Day event in Portsmouth. British Prime Minister Theresa May is at left.
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Trump meets with German Chancellor Angela Merkel on the sidelines of the D-Day event in Portsmouth.
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The Trumps pose for a photo ahead of a dinner at Winfield House in London on Tuesday, June 4. Joining them, from left, are Woody Johnson, the US ambassador to the United Kingdom; Camilla, the Duchess of Cornwall; Prince Charles; and Johnson's wife, Suzanne Ircha.
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Trump and Prince Charles share a toast at Winfield House.
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Trump and British Prime Minister Theresa May speak at the dinner on June 4.
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Melania Trump spends time with Camilla and Suzanne Ircha, the wife of the US ambassador.
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Brexit Party leader Nigel Farage, center, arrives at Winfield House, where the Trumps are staying during their visit.
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Trump and May give a joint news conference on June 4. "I think she's done a very good job," Trump said, reversing past critiques of her failure to strike a Brexit deal that both Parliament and the EU can accept.
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Trump and May are followed by their spouses as they make their way to the news conference in London on June 4. The President offered plenty of praise for May, who recently announced her resignation.
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Philip May and Melania Trump attend a garden party at No. 10 Downing Street.
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Larry, the No. 10 Downing Street cat, sits underneath The Beast, the presidential armored Cadillac.
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Trump speaks opposite May at a business roundtable discussion in London.
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Trump stands next to Queen Elizabeth II before a state banquet at Buckingham Palace on Monday, June 3. Joining them are Melania Trump, Prince Charles and Camilla.
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The state banquet had a few hundred guests, including several of Trump's children.
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Trump and the Queen laugh during the state banquet.
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The Trumps tour Westminster Abbey on June 3.
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The President signed the guestbook at Westminster Abbey. "Thank you so much," his message said. "This has been a great honor. Special place."
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The Trumps are joined by Prince Andrew as they pay their respects at the Tomb of the Unknown Warrior in Westminster Abbey.
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The President's convoy drives down Pall Mall in London on June 3.
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Queen Elizabeth II welcomes the Trumps to Buckingham Palace. She took them on a tour of the royal collection.
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Among the items on display was "American Pewter Thoroughbred," a gift that Trump gave the Queen last year.
