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Free ride: Allies, even Laura Loomer, turn on President Trump for accepting luxury jet from Qatar

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Hell hath now frozen over. 

President Donald Trump’s decision to accept a $400-million plane from Qatar, as a gift, has prompted stinging criticism from Laura Loomer.

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She’s the hard-right activist who specializes in getting the president to fire top officials and withdraw nominees, or at least claims credit for doing so.

If you’ve lost Loomer, you’re losing the argument.

TRUMP DEFENDS QATAR JUMBO JET OFFER AS TROUBLED BOEING FAILS TO DELIVER NEW AIR FORCE ONE FLEET

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President Trump’s decision to accept a $400 million plane from Qatar is raising serious eyebrows – even among his staunchest supporters. (Getty Images | iStock)

Not according to Donald Trump. He told reporters yesterday that this was a «great gesture» by Qatar, done because «we keep them safe,» referring to Qatar and the UAE, which he’ll be visiting after Saudi Arabia.

He said the maintenance costs on the 40-year-old Air Force One planes are astronomical, and noted that the Reagan Library has such a plane. The decommissioned Qatar aircraft will go to a future Trump Library.

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But the Gipper’s plane didn’t come from Qatar.

«How are we supposed to ever see the US under the Trump admin designate the Muslim Brotherhood as a terrorist organization,» Loomer wrote, «if the US is now going to accept a $400 million jet from Qatar to fly the US President and his staff around on?»

Calling the episode a «stain» on his tenure, she added: «I love President Trump. I would take a bullet for him. But, I have to call a spade a spade. We cannot accept a $400 million ‘gift’ from jihadists in suits. The Qataris fund the same Iranian proxies in Hamas and Hezbollah who have murdered US Service Members. The same proxies that have worked with the Mexican cartels to get jihadists across our border.»

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The media are in an uproar as well, and the story has only grown bigger since it was first reported by ABC News.

HOUSE DEMOCRAT CALLS FOR ‘IMMEDIATE’ ETHICS PROBE OF QATARI PLANE GIFT TO TRUMP

Of course, the luxury 747 will have to be upgraded with secure communications and military equipment. That would take at least till the end of the year. 

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But one Pentagon official told the New York Times «we’re talking years, not months.»

Trump consulted Elon Musk, the DOGE leader and head of SpaceX, who told him that the plane could be delivered in a year.

Laura Loomer wearing sunglasses

If Trump’s even managed to lose Laura Loomer on this issue, you’d think he’d come to realize he’s barking up the wrong tree. (David Dee Delgado/Getty Images)

Two loyalists – Attorney General Pam Bondi and White House Counsel David Warrington – approved the arrangement, according to the Times. Trump toured the 747 in February when it was parked at the Palm Beach airport.

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There was a Plan B that got derailed. The Qataris offered to donate the plane immediately to the future Trump Library.

But administration lawyers said that would violate the Constitution’s emoluments clause – which as Beltway insiders know, bars any federal official from accepting personal gifts from a foreign nation without the approval of Congress. 

The president’s «flood the zone» approach has ensured that this isn’t the only story out there.

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He announced that after two days of talks, the U.S. and China reached a 90-day agreement that would reduce tariffs on Beijing from 145% to 30%, and Chinese tariffs would be cut to 10%.

It’s clear that Trump blinked. Having tanked the markets (which soared yesterday), he was under enormous pressure to undo the damage. So now we’re back to square one, roughly where we might have been without igniting a global crisis.

TRUMP SAYS ‘TOTAL RESET NEGOTIATED’ WITH CHINA DURING TARIFF TALKS IN GENEVA

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But perhaps Xi Jinping blinked as well. His government was feeling the impact of the sky-high tariffs as well. The Chinese, with considerably less enthusiasm, said the «mistake» would only lead to further negotiations.

Trump also was able to announce a cease-fire in the escalating war between India and Pakistan, thanks to some weekend diplomacy by Marco Rubio and JD Vance.

Trump also was able to announce that Hamas was freeing the last living American hostage being held by the terrorist group.

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Edan Alexander thanks President Trump in a handwritten message

Edan Alexander thanks President Trump in a handwritten message following his release from captivity in Gaza.  (The White House)

Trump also sided with Vladimir Putin, who wants to meet for peace talks with Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who first wants a 30-day cease-fire, so that Moscow doesn’t continue the killing and gain more territory while stalling on any pause in the fighting.

Trump also was able to unveil a plan that he says will lower the cost of prescription drugs by 30 to 80%.

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But circling back to the 747, the president chided ABC’s Rachel Scott when she tried to question him about the plane:

«You’re ABC fake news, right? Only ABC — well, a few of you would… Let me tell you, you should be embarrassed asking that question. They’re giving us a free jet. I could say, ‘No, no no, don’t give us. I want to pay you a billion, or 400 million, or whatever it is’ Or I could say, ‘thank you very much.’»

Scott tried again: «Respectfully, sir, as a businessman, some people may look at this and say, have you ever been given a gift worth millions of dollars and then not —»

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«It’s not a gift to me, it’s a gift to the Department of Defense,» Trump said. «And you should know better, because you’ve been embarrassed enough, and so has your network. Your network is a disaster. ABC is a disaster.»

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Whether the president is right or wrong, it seems like these are legitimate questions. And the media are always a great foil for him. So I don’t see him backing down. 

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Media Buzz,Donald Trump,White House,Middle East,China

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DNI Tulsi Gabbard declassified Trump-Russia docs: Here’s what they say

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Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard declassified a slew of documents this month, revealing that Obama administration officials «manufactured» intelligence to push the Trump-Russia collusion narrative.

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Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard talks to reporters in the Brady Press Briefing Room at the White House July 23, 2025, in Washington, DC., after releasing newly declassified documents about the Trump-Russia collusion «hoax.» (Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images; Fox News Digital)

Here’s a look at the newly declassified records:

Declassified Presidential Daily Brief

Documents revealed that in the months leading up to the November 2016 election, the intelligence community consistently assessed that Russia was «probably not trying … to influence the election by using cyber means.»

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One instance was on Dec. 7, 2016, weeks after the election. Then-Director of National Intelligence James Clapper’s talking points stated, «Foreign adversaries did not use cyberattacks on election infrastructure to alter the U.S. presidential election outcome.»

Fox News Digital obtained a declassified copy of the Presidential Daily Brief, which was prepared by the Department of Homeland Security, with reporting from the CIA, Defense Intelligence Agency, FBI, National Security Agency, Department of Homeland Security, State Department and open sources, for Obama, dated Dec. 8, 2016.

Obama meets with Lynch, Comey and others in White House meeting.

President Barack Obama speaks with reporters in the Oval Office July 19, 2016, after a meeting with Attorney General Loretta Lynch and FBI Director James Comey. (Mark Wilson/Getty Images)

«We assess that Russian and criminal actors did not impact recent U.S. election results by conducting malicious cyber activities against election infrastructure,» the Presidential Daily Brief stated. «Russian Government-affiliated actors most likely compromised an Illinois voter registration database and unsuccessfully attempted the same in other states.»

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But the brief stated that it was «highly unlikely» the effort «would have resulted in altering any state’s official vote result.»

«Criminal activity also failed to reach the scale and sophistication necessary to change election outcomes,» it stated. 

The brief noted that the Office of the Director of National Intelligence assessed that any Russian activities «probably were intended to cause psychological effects, such as undermining the credibility of the election process and candidates.»

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The brief stated that cyber criminals «tried to steal data and to interrupt election processes by targeting election infrastructure, but these actions did not achieve a notable disruptive effect.»

Fox News Digital obtained declassified, but redacted, communications from the FBI in the Presidential Daily Brief, stating that it «should not go forward until the FBI» had shared its «concerns.»

John Brennan with Clapper testifying

Former Director of National Intelligence James Clapper and former CIA Director John Brennan appear at a public hearing in Washington. (Reuters/Gary Cameron )

Those communications revealed that the FBI drafted a «dissent» to the original Presidential Daily Brief. 

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OBAMA ADMIN ‘MANUFACTURED’ INTELLIGENCE TO CREATE 2016 RUSSIAN ELECTION INTERFERENCE NARRATIVE, DOCUMENTS SHOW

The communications revealed that the brief was expected to be published Dec. 9, 2016, the following day, but later communications revealed the Office of the Director of National Intelligence, «based on some new guidance,» decided to «push back publication» of the Presidential Daily Brief. 

«It will not run tomorrow and is not likely to run until next week,» wrote the deputy director of the Presidential Daily Brief at the Office of the Director of National Intelligence, whose name is redacted. 

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The following day, Dec. 9, 2016, a meeting convened in the White House Situation Room, with the subject line starting: «Summary of Conclusions for PC Meeting on a Sensitive Topic (REDACTED.)»

The meeting included top officials in the National Security Council, Clapper, then-CIA Director John Brennan, then-National Security Advisor Susan Rice, then-Secretary of State John Kerry, then-Attorney General Loretta Lynch, then-Deputy FBI Director Andrew McCabe, among others, to discuss Russia.

President Barack Obama, accompanied by Secretary of State John Kerry, meets with veterans and Gold Star Mothers to discuss the Iran Nuclear deal, Thursday, Sept. 10, 2015, in the Roosevelt Room at the White House in Washington. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik)

President Obama, accompanied by Secretary of State John Kerry, meets with veterans and Gold Star Mothers to discuss the Iran nuclear deal in the Roosevelt Room at the White House in Washington Sept. 10, 2015. (AP Images)

The declassified meeting record, obtained by Fox News Digital, revealed that principals «agreed to recommend sanctioning of certain members of the Russian military intelligence and foreign intelligence chains of command responsible for cyber operations as a response to cyber activity that attempted to influence or interfere with U.S. elections, if such activity meets the requirements» from an executive order that demanded the blocking of property belonging to people engaged in cyber activities.

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After the meeting, according to the Office of the Director of National Intelligence, Clapper’s executive assistant emailed intelligence community leaders tasking them to create a new intelligence community assessment «per the president’s request» that detailed the «tools Moscow used and actions it took to influence the 2016 election.»

«ODNI will lead this effort with participation from CIA, FBI, NSA, and DHS,» the record states.

Later, Obama officials «leaked false statements to media outlets» claiming that «Russia has attempted through cyber means to interfere in, if not actively influence, the outcome of an election.»

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Susan Rice

Former National Security Advisor Susan Rice speaks at the J Street National Conference in Washington in April 2018. (Getty Images)

By Jan. 6, 2017, a new Intelligence Community Assessment was released that, according to the Office of the Director of National Intelligence, «directly contradicted the IC assessments that were made throughout the previous six months.» 

Intelligence officials told Fox News Digital that the ICA was «politicized» because it «suppressed intelligence from before and after the election showing Russia lacked intent and capability to hack the 2016 election.» 

Officials also said it deceived the American public «by claiming the IC made no assessment on the ‘impact’ of Russian activities,» when the intelligence community «did, in fact, assess for impact.» 

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«The unpublished December PDB stated clearly that Russia ‘did not impact’ the election through cyber hacks on the election,» an official told Fox News Digital.

Andrew McCabe at hearing

Former FBI Deputy Director Andrew McCabe testifies during a congressional hearing in Washington. (Jahi Chikwendiu/The Washington Post via Getty Images)

FBI LAUNCHES CRIMINAL INVESTIGATIONS OF JOHN BRENNAN, JAMES COMEY: DOJ SOURCES

The official also said the ICA had assessed that «Russia was responsible for leaking data from the DNC and DCCC,» while «failing to mention that FBI and NSA previously expressed low confidence in this attribution.» 

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Officials said the intelligence was «politicized» and then «used as the basis for countless smears seeking to delegitimize President Trump’s victory, the years-long Mueller investigation, two Congressional impeachments, high level officials being investigated, arrested, and thrown in jail, heightened US-Russia tensions, and more.»

Declassified House Intelligence Committee Report

A report prepared by the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence in 2020 said the intelligence community did not have any direct information that Russian President Vladimir Putin wanted to help elect Donald Trump during the 2016 presidential election, but, at the «unusual» direction of then-President Barack Obama, published «potentially biased» or «implausible» intelligence suggesting otherwise.

The report, based on an investigation launched by former House Intelligence Committee Chairman Devin Nunes, R-Calif., was dated Sept. 18, 2020. At the time of the publication of the report, Rep. Adam Schiff, D-Calif., was the chairman of the committee.

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The report has never before been released to the public and instead has remained highly classified within the intelligence community.

Fox News Digital obtained the «fully-sourced limited-access investigation report that was drafted and stored in a limited-access vault at CIA Headquarters.» The report includes some redactions.

BRENNAN DIRECTED PUBLICATION OF ‘IMPLAUSIBLE’ REPORTS CLAIMING PUTIN PREFERRED TRUMP IN 2016, HOUSE FOUND

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The committee focused on the creation of the Intelligence Community Assessment of 2017, in which then-CIA Director John Brennan pushed for the inclusion of the now-discredited anti-Trump dossier despite knowing it was based largely on «internet rumor,» as Fox News Digital previously reported.

According to the report, the ICA was a «high-profile product ordered by the President, directed by senior IC agency heads, and created by just five CIA analysts, using one principal drafter.»

Barack Obama with John Brennan

President Obama nominates John Brennan as CIA director during a ceremony at the White House Jan. 7, 2013. (Mark Wilson/Getty Images)

«Production of the ICA was subject to unusual directives from the President and senior political appointees, and particularly DCIA,» the report states. «The draft was not properly coordinated within CIA or the IC, ensuring it would be published without significant challenges to its conclusions.»

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The committee found that the five CIA analysts and drafter «rushed» the ICA’s production «in order to publish two weeks before President-elect Trump was sworn-in.»

«Hurried coordination and limited access to the draft reduced opportunities for the IC to discover misquoting of sources and other tradecraft concerns,» the report states.

The report states that Brennan «ordered the post-election publication of 15 reports containing previously collected but unpublished intelligence, three of which were substandard — containing information that was unclear, of uncertain origin, potentially biased, or implausible — and those became foundational sources for the ICA judgements that Putin preferred Trump over Clinton.»

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Putin

Russian President Vladimir Putin chairs a government meeting at his Novo-Ogaryovo residence Aug. 7, 2024. (Sergei Bobylyov/Pool/AFP via Getty Images)

«The ICA misrepresented these reports as reliable, without mentioning their significant underlying flaws,» the committee found.

«One scant, unclear, and unverifiable fragment of a sentence from one of the substandard reports constitutes the only classified information cited to suggest Putin ‘aspired’ to help Trump win,» the report states, adding that the ICA «ignored or selectively quoted reliable intelligence reports that challenged — and in some cases undermined — judgments that Putin sought to elect Trump.»

The report also states that the ICA «failed to consider plausible alternative explanations of Putin’s intentions indicated by reliable intelligence and observed Russian actions.»

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The committee also found that two senior CIA officers warned Brennan that «we don’t have direct information that Putin wanted to get Trump elected.»

Despite those warnings, the Obama administration moved to publish the ICA.

The ICA «did not cite any report where Putin directly indicated helping Trump win was the objective.»

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TOPSHOT - US Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton and US Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump debate during the second presidential debate at Washington University in St. Louis, Missouri, on October 9, 2016. (Photo by Robyn Beck / AFP) (Photo by ROBYN BECK/AFP via Getty Images)

Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump participate in the second presidential debate at Washington University in St. Louis Oct. 9, 2016. (Robyn Beck/AFP via Getty Images)

The ICA, according to the report, excluded «significant intelligence» and «ignored or selectively quoted» reliable intelligence in an effort to push the Russia narrative.

The report also includes intelligence from a longtime Putin confidant who explained to investigators that «Putin told him he did not care who won the election,» and that Putin «had often outlined the weaknesses of both major candidates.»

The report also states that the ICA omitted context showing that the claim that Putin preferred Trump was «implausible —if not ridiculous.»

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The committee also found that the ICA suppressed intelligence that showed that Russia was actually planning for a Hillary Clinton victory because «they knew where (she) stood» and believed Russia «could work with her.»

The committee also noted that the ICA «did not address why Putin chose not to leak more discrediting material on Clinton, even as polls tightened in the final weeks of the election.»

The committee also found that the ICA suppressed intelligence showing that Putin was «not only demonstrating a clear lack of concern for Trump’s election fate,» but also indicated «that he preferred to see Secretary Clinton elected, knowing she would be a more vulnerable President.»

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Declassified Hillary Clinton section of House Intelligence Committee Report

One section of the declassified House Intelligence Committee report states that the material in Putin’s possession included Russian intelligence on Democratic National Committee information allegedly showing that senior Democratic leaders found Clinton’s health to be «extraordinarily alarming.» 

«As of September 2016, the Russian Foreign Intelligence Service had DNC information that President Obama and Party leaders found the state of Secretary Clinton’s health to be ‘extraordinarily alarming,’ and felt it could have ‘serious negative impact’ on her election prospects,» the report states. «Her health information was being kept in ‘strictest secrecy’ and even close advisors were not being fully informed.» 

The Russian Foreign Intelligence Service also allegedly had DNC communications that showed that «Clinton was suffering from ‘intensified psycho-emotional problems, including uncontrolled fits of anger, aggression, and cheerfulness.’» 

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Hillary Clinton with Tim Kaine on stage, DNC 2016

Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton and her running mate, Sen. Tim Kaine ,appear onstage with their families at the Democratic National Convention in Philadelphia July 28, 2016. (Alex Wong/Getty Images)

«Clinton was placed on a daily regimen of ‘heavy tranquilizers’ and while afraid of losing, she remained ‘obsessed with a thirst for power,’» the report states.

The Russians also allegedly had information that Clinton «suffered from ‘Type 2 diabetes, Ischemic heart disease, deep vein thrombosis, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.’»

HILLARY CLINTON AIDE DISMISSES TULSI GABBARD’S CLAIMS AS ‘RIDICULOUS’

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The Russians also allegedly possessed a «campaign email discussing a plan approved by Secretary Clinton to link Putin and Russian hackers to candidate Trump in order to ‘distract the American public’ from the Clinton email server scandal.» 

Gabbard, during the White House press briefing Wednesday, said there were «high-level DNC emails that detailed evidence of Hillary’s, quote, psycho-emotional problems, uncontrolled fits of anger, aggression and cheerfulness, and that then-Secretary Clinton was allegedly on a daily regimen of heavy tranquilizers.» 

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A tranquilizer is a drug used to reduce mental disturbance, such as anxiety and tension. Tranquilizers are typically prescribed to individuals suffering from anxiety, sleep disturbances and related conditions affecting their mental and physical health. 

A Clinton aide dismissed the claims as «ridiculous.» 

Neither Clinton nor Obama responded to Fox News Digital’s requests for comment. 

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Donald Trump juega al golf en Escocia y cientos de personas protestan contra su visita

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Donald Trump jugó al golf el sábado en su campo en la costa de Escocia, mientras manifestantes en todo el país salieron a las calles para protestar contra su visita y acusar a los líderes del Reino Unido de complacer a los estadounidenses.

Trump y su hijo Eric jugaron con el embajador de Estados Unidos en Reino Unido, Warren Stephens, cerca del pueblo de Turnberry, un campo histórico que la empresa de la familia Trump asumió en 2014.

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La seguridad era estricta, y los manifestantes se mantuvieron a distancia y no fueron vistos por el grupo durante la ronda de Trump. El presidente estadounidense vestía de negro, con una gorra blanca con las letras “USA”, y fue visto conduciendo un carrito de golf.

Esta pintoresca localidad del suroeste de Escocia perdió su calma habitual y se transformó en una fortaleza, con calles cerradas y controles policiales, tras la llegada del jefe de la Casa Blanca en la noche del viernes.

Protestas frente al consulado estadounidense en Edimburgo, contra la visita de Donald Trump a Escocia. Foto: EFE


Ya sea a caballo, a pie, con perros o en cuatriciclo, la policía local patrulla este famoso campo de golf, así como las playas de arena y dunas que lo rodean.

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Trump aterrizó el viernes en el vecino aeropuerto de Prestwick, donde cientos de curiosos se acercaron a ver la llegada del avión presidencial y su comitiva.

Seguridad, polémica y críticas por la inmigración en Europa

Aunque en una visita previa el mandatario republicano manifestó su amor por Escocia, tierra natal de su madre, su política y las inversiones locales de la empresa familiar generan controversia.

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Al hablar con la prensa en la pista de aterrizaje, Trump lanzó el debate sobre los altos niveles de la migración irregular. «Es mejor que se organicen o no van a tener más Europa», opinó, al afirmar que esto está «matando» al continente.

Cientos de manifestantes protestaron frente al consulado estadounidense en Edimburgo, la capital, y en la localidad de Aberdeen (este), donde la familia Trump tiene otro campo de golf.


Convocados por la Coalición Para Frenar a Trump, los asistentes llevaron pancartas con mensajes como «Escocia odia a Trump» y ondearon banderas palestinas en medio de un fuerte despliegue policial.

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La policía de Escocia refrozó la seguridad cerca del campo de golf de Donald Trump cerca de Aberdeen, este sábado. Foto: REUTERS La policía de Escocia refrozó la seguridad cerca del campo de golf de Donald Trump cerca de Aberdeen, este sábado. Foto: REUTERS

Opiniones divididas


La visita del mandatario, de 79 años, divide a la población local.


En Aberdeen, un hombre llevaba una pancarta donde se ve el rostro del presidente estadounidense rojo con cuernos de diablo, según imágenesfilmadas por la AFP.


«No solo no es bienvenido aquí, sino que todo lo que representa su política tampoco es bienvenido», declaró Maggie Chapman, diputada escocesa del partido de los Verdes, presente en Aberdeen.

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Trump «es sexista, misógino (…) y todo lo que le interesa es su enriquecimiento personal», señaló.


Acusó a su campo de golf local, donde una segunda parte será próximamente inaugurada, de causar la destrucción de un sitio natural.


«Estoy aquí a causa del genocidio en Gaza, financiado y permitido por los gobiernos británico y estadounidense. No puedo dejar de ver eso», dijo Amy Hanlon, de 44 años, quien trabaja en marketing en línea.

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Manifestantes anti Trump, este sábado en Balmedie, cerca de Aberdeen, en Escocia. Foto: REUTERS Manifestantes anti Trump, este sábado en Balmedie, cerca de Aberdeen, en Escocia. Foto: REUTERS


«Mucha gente no confía en Trump y yo soy uno de ellos. Pienso que el hombre es un megalómano», dijo el jubilado Graham Hodgson a AFP.


«Se ama tanto a sí mismo. Creo que está causando mucho daño en todo el mundo con sus aranceles. Y creo que todo es por el bien de Estados Unidos, pero en este momento también creo que Estados Unidos está pagando el precio por sus políticas», remató.

En el aeropuerto también hubo admiradores de Trump, como un chico que sostenía un cartel de bienvenida o un hombre que ondeaba una bandera con su famosa consigna MAGA (Hagamos Estados Unidos Grande otra vez).


«Creo que lo mejor de Trump es que en realidad no es un político, pero es el hombre más poderoso del mundo y creo que está buscando lo mejor para su país», dijo a AFP Lee McLean, de 46 años, quien viajó desde la cercana Kilmarnock.

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Negociaciones con la Unión Europea por los aranceles

La agenda oficial del presidente estadounidense para el domingo contempla una reunión con la presidenta de la Comisión Europea, Ursula von der Leyen, quien espera alcanzar un acuerdo sobre los aranceles.

También tiene previsto un encuentro con el primer ministro británico, Keir Starmer, antes de partir hacia Balmedie, en la costa este escocesa, donde se inaugura un nuevo campo de golf en uno de sus complejos hoteleros.

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Su regreso a Estados Unidos está programado para el martes.

Donald Trump,Escocia

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WATCH: Gabbard’s Obama bombshell has GOP demanding accountability while Dems question timing as ‘distraction’

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After reports that top officials from the Obama administration allegedly orchestrated a coordinated attempt to sabotage President Donald Trump’s 2016 election victory, GOP lawmakers are calling for transparency and accountability, while their Democratic colleagues are questioning the timing and credibility of the new claims.

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Trump’s director of national intelligence, Tulsi Gabbard, released a trove of intelligence documents beginning last week that Gabbard has said show former President Barack Obama and some of his closest advisors promoted a «contrived narrative» that Russia interfered in the 2016 election to sabotage Trump. 

However, Democrats have insisted that congressional investigations already prove that Russia did help Trump in the 2016 election, while also questioning the timing of the allegations due to pressure on Trump to release more Epstein files.

«It is profoundly dishonest, and it’s dangerous,» Republican Texas Sen. Ted Cruz told Fox News Digital, in reference to the allegations from Gabbard. «What I have urged the administration to do is engage in radical transparency, make it all public and expose just how much the Obama administration knew what they were doing – that they knew they were lying. I think anybody that violated the law needs to be held accountable.»

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DNI GABBARD CLAIMS ‘DEEP STATE ACTORS’ DIDN’T WANT TRUMP-RUSSIA INFORMATION TO ‘SEE THE LIGHT OF DAY’

Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, calls for «radical transparency» in response to Gabbard’s release of intelligence files alleging Obama-era meddling. (Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images)

But Democratic California Sen. Adam Schiff told Fox News Digital he thinks the allegations are moot, pointing to former FBI Director Robert Mueller’s 2019 report, which he said «documented Russia’s efforts to help denigrate Hillary Clinton, which gave a boost to the Trump campaign.

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«I think what Gabbard and her staff are doing is dishonest,» he added.

However, Republican Oklahoma Sen. James Lankford argued it has «long been established» that the Steele dossier was «clearly a Clinton plant» and that the Clinton campaign was actually «cooperating with the Russians to be able to actually use the Russians to be able to interfere with President Trump’s campaign.»

«What Tulsi Gabbard is pulling out is to say, ‘How deep did this go into the White House that they knew about the Steele Dossier, they knew it was a Clinton document. When did they start pushing this out, and what official resources were they using to try to add validity to this to be able to undercut the election?’» Lankford said. 

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«We got a long way to go still, but it’s good to be able to get all information out, to be able to pull it out there and to say, ‘Let’s let everybody look at it and let the chips fall where they may.’»

OBAMA-ERA OFFICIALS MUM ON ALLEGATIONS OF ‘MANUFACTURED’ INTELLIGENCE LAUNCHING TRUMP-RUSSIA PROBE

DNI Tulsi Gabbard closeup

Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard addresses the press at the White House after declassifying documents she says prove a «contrived» Trump-Russia narrative. (Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images | Fox News Digital)

Sen. Rick Scott, R-Fla., said he believed Gabbard was doing the right thing, also expressing hope for extreme transparency amid the alarming allegations.

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«Part of what this election was about, it was about transparency and government accountability. And that’s exactly what [Gabbard] is trying to do, and that’s exactly what the Trump administration is trying to do,» Scott said. «Let’s get the people the facts. Let’s follow where the facts are. If somebody’s done anything, we’ll hold them accountable. So, i think the right process is what’s happening.»           

Sen. Elissa Slotkin, D-Mich., a former CIA analyst, questioned the timing of Gabbard’s release of the information, saying even her 10-year-old nephew understood the move as «a dodge and a distraction» to get eyes off the ongoing Epstein controversy. Amid Gabbard’s document release at the beginning of last week, Trump has been facing calls from within the GOP for the release of more documents and information pertaining to disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein.

Rep. Elissa Slotkin, D-Mich., closeup shot

Sen. Elissa Slotkin, D-Mich., a former CIA analyst, questioned the timing of Gabbard’s disclosures, calling them a «distraction» amid calls for transparency with the Jeffrey Epstein files. (Associated Press )

«President Trump had four years in his first term, and all the time since then, to go after this issue, and he picks the same day that his name appears in the Epstein files to talk about Barack Obama,» Slotkin told Fox News Digital. «American people are not dumb. Like, we get it. Trump wanted to talk about something different. I have to see these reports, and see how they’re sourced. … I like to read and make my own assessment. But the timing can’t be missed. The president is trying to dodge and distract you.»

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While partisan affiliation may play a part in how lawmakers and the broader public view the Obama allegations released by Gabbard, Sen.  John Boozman, R-Ark., said he thinks the issue «transcends» party affiliation. 

«Republican, Democrat, I mean, you know, this is something that transcends all that. This is really important,» Boozman told Fox News Digital. «Hopefully we’ll have open transparency so people will understand what’s going on. And whatever it is, I’m sure Congress will be involved, and certainly the Justice Department is involved. So, I think these are all good things.»

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