Trump issues early morning barbs ahead of D-Day commemoration
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US President Donald Trump (L) and Britain's Prime Minister Theresa May give a joint press conference at the Foreign and Commonwealth office in London on June 4, 2019, on the second day of their three-day State Visit to the UK. - US President Donald Trump turns from pomp and ceremony to politics and business on Tuesday as he meets Prime Minister Theresa May on the second day of a state visit expected to be accompanied by mass protests. (Photo by MANDEL NGAN / AFP) (Photo credit should read MANDEL NGAN/AFP/Getty Images)
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He traveled to the English south coast for a ceremony at Portsmouth Harbor, near where allied forces set off for the beaches in France in their bid to retake Europe during World War II.
Trump appeared onstage briefly to read from a prayer originally delivered over the radio by one of his predecessors, President Franklin D. Roosevelt, on the evening of the landings.
“Our sons, pride of our nation, this day have set upon a mighty endeavor, a struggle to preserve our Republic, our religion, and our civilization, and to set free a suffering humanity,” Trump intoned before dancers emerged to the upbeat strains of “Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy of Company B,” the wartime ditty sung by the Andrews Sisters.
Earlier in the morning, Trump’s mind was in a less reverent place. He tweeted barbs directed at former Vice President Joe Biden, the news media and the actress Bette Midler – all before 8 a.m. local time in London – where he was spending a second night in the US ambassador’s residence.
In Britain, an interview Trump had conducted a day earlier with ITV host Piers Morgan was airing on breakfast television.
Asked about his own avoidance of war service – Trump received a draft determent from Vietnam due to bone spurs in his foot – the President criticized that American effort, even as he was preparing to commemorate an earlier one.
“Well, I was never a fan of that war I’ll be honest with you. I thought it was a terrible war, I thought it was very far away,” he said.
Trump revealed he’d carried out a “great conversation” about climate change with Prince Charles, an ardent campaigner on the perils of global warming.
Trump said he was “moved” by the Prince of Wales’ passion on the matter. But asked whether he personally believes in climate change, Trump said “there is a change in weather and I think it changes both ways.”
It was an illustration of Trump’s ability in the UK to both flatter his hosts and undermine their positions. His gracious remarks on Tuesday about outgoing British Prime Minister Theresa May seemed to put to rest any lingering animosity between the two, even as he met with one of her fiercest critics, Brexit campaigner Nigel Farage, hours later.
On Wednesday, Trump joined the leaders of other countries who took part in the war, along with Queen Elizabeth II, to mark three-quarters of a century since D-Day. It’s a precursor to the main anniversary events, which will take place at the American cemetery in Normandy on Thursday, the actual anniversary of the landings.
Photos: In pictures: President Trump in Europe
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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.
Photos: In pictures: President Trump in Europe
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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.
Photos: In pictures: President Trump in Europe
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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.
Photos: In pictures: President Trump in Europe
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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.
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.
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Trump inspects a guard of honor at Buckingham Palace.
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The US National Anthem is played during a welcoming ceremony at Buckingham Palace. From left are Melania Trump, the Queen, Trump, Charles and Camilla.
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British Army troops fire a cannon in London's Green Park to mark the beginning of Trump's visit.
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The Queen greets the President as he arrives at Buckingham Palace.
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Prince Charles greets Trump as he steps off Marine One at Buckingham Palace.
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The Trumps are welcomed in London by Charles and Camilla.
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Trump's daughter Ivanka, who is also advisor to the President, looks out of a window at Buckingham Palace.
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People outside Buckingham Palace photograph the Changing of the Guard ahead of Trump's arrival on June 3.
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The Trumps arrive at Winfield House, the residence of the US ambassador, on June 3.
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Amnesty International installs "Resist Trump" banners on Vauxhall Bridge in London.
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Marine One flies past the BT Tower in London.
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The Trumps walk toward Marine One after arriving at London's Stansted Airport on June 3.
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The President salutes troops as he and the first lady arrive at Stansted Airport.
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Trump is greeted by UK Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt after arriving at the airport.
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The Trumps arrive at Stansted Airport.
Trump alluded to the shared history in a toast Monday evening at Buckingham Palace, where he was attending a white tie banquet hosted by the Queen.
The US and the UK “defeated the Nazis and the Nazi regime, and liberated millions from tyranny,” Trump said in his toast. The Queen, meanwhile, hailed the institutions that were born out of the bloodshed, saying “we are forever mindful of the original purpose of these structures.”
As an embarkation point for the landings, Portsmouth carries historic weight. Before the invasion, US troops were stationed in the city and afterward, some injured servicemen returned for treatment here.
After the event, Trump will travel to western Ireland, where he is staying for the remainder of his time in Europe at the golf course he owns in Doonbeg. He’ll also meet the country’s prime minister Leo Varadkar inside the VIP lounge at Shannon Airport – a compromise venue after the Irish government balked at meeting at Trump’s property.
