'Trump baby' balloon to fly outside British parliament as big protests expected

By Andrew MacAskill

 

U.S. President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump view displays of U.S. items of the Royal collection at Buckingham Palace in central London, Britain June 3, 2019. Tolga Akmen/Pool via REUTERS

 

LONDON (Reuters) - A giant inflatable blimp depicting Donald Trump as a pouting baby in a diaper will fly outside the British parliament in London on Tuesday ahead of what is expected to be one of the city's largest protests against a foreign leader.

 

The six-meter (20 foot) high blimp will fly above Parliament Square for two hours from 0900 GMT when Trump is due to hold talks with the outgoing British Prime Minister Theresa May nearby in Downing Street.

 

Trump and his wife Melania arrived on Monday for a three-day state visit - a pomp-laden affair that involved a banquet at Buckingham Palace on Monday evening.

 

"We’re sending a very clear message of solidarity to those affected by his despicable politics – and saying loud and clear that the US president doesn’t deserve the red carpet treatment," said Ajuub Faraji, one of the organisers of the blimp.

 

In central London, tens of thousands of protesters are expected to take part in a "Carnival of Resistance" later in the day to voice their opposition to the president. Among those taking part will be environmental activists, anti-racism campaigners and women’s rights protesters.

 

Police will close the road directly outside Downing Street to protect the president and his family.

 

In Britain, Trump's ban on travel to the United States from several primarily Muslim countries, the decision to withdraw the United States from a global deal to combat climate change, and his criticism of British politicians have helped stoke opposition to his presidency.

 

The state dinner held in the president's honour was boycotted by several lawmakers, including Jeremy Corbyn, the leader of the opposition Labour Party.

 

The U.S. president’s supporters said it was an insult to snub the leader of Britain’s closest ally. But the demonstrators have received tactical support from Mayor of London Sadiq Khan, who has repeatedly clashed with the president and who gave permission to fly the blimp.

 

The president called the mayor a "stone-cold loser" shortly before he arrived in Britain and has in the past accused him of failing to do enough to stop deadly terror attacks in London.

 

POMP AND PROTESTS

Trump said he is "loved" in Britain despite the protests. He said he was closer to Britain than any other American leader, citing his mother's Scottish roots and the two golf courses he owns in the country.

 

"I don't imagine any US president was ever closer to your great land," he told The Sun in an interview. "I think I am really — I hope — I am really loved in the UK. I certainly love the UK."

 

The protests are expected to build up later in the day when demonstrators begin gathering at Trafalgar Square at 10:00 GMT. They will travel via Embankment to reach Parliament Square in the afternoon because the police have closed off the southern part of Whitehall.

 

Protesters from all over Britain will travel to London to join the demonstrations. Other protests against Trump's visit are planned in 14 other cities and towns.

 

Trump’s last visit in July cost police more than 14.2 million pounds ($17.95 million). At the time, 10,000 officers were deployed from all over Britain.

 

Scott Lucas, a professor of international and American studies at the University of Birmingham, said other U.S. presidents such as Ronald Reagan and George W. Bush have faced large protests in Britain.

 

He said the protests typically tend to be larger for American presidents than leaders from other countries such as China or Saudi Arabia because the two countries are historic allies.

 

"America is our friend and you have to be able to speak to your friends in a certain way," he said.

 

"You are usually more concerned about someone who is in your own household, or your neighbour down the street, than someone who is in the next village or town."

 

(Reporting By Andrew MacAskill; editing by Guy Faulconbridge)

 

-- © Copyright Reuters 2019-06-04

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Pity they can not fly it where he is sure to see it...

4 minutes ago, webfact said:

"I don't imagine any US president was ever closer to your great land," he told The Sun in an interview. "I think I am really — I hope — I am really loved in the UK. I certainly love the UK."

Does the use of "I hope" mean his diplomacy skills are improving?

Hey blue sofa unfortunately no they aren’t improving lol

Hope the blimp or blimps are sniped[emoji23]

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5 hours ago, Basil B said:

Pity they can not fly it where he is sure to see it...

Pity that's all the haters have - a balloon! 555 

Thank you to the protesting British people. The current USA president is a disgrace and it is not OK to put on an act that this is a normal situation. 

So the neo-communist, Muslim radicals, and anti White brigade are joining forces to protest because they don't like someone or his politics.

 

Wonder what the reaction of these hypocrites would be if someone produced a cartoon blimp of Xi, Madura, the Saudi King, the Iranian leaders etc etc.

 

Trump may well be a dodgy businessman, up to every trick in the book and have some strong political views that those who don't support him find offensive. But so is just about every other politicians and political leader these days. Especially the champagne socialists pretending to represent the masses.

Anyone know if Sadiq Khan blimp will be making a showing this time around in retaliation to Mr Trumps blimp.

 

7 hours ago, webfact said:

 giant inflatable blimp depicting Donald Trump as a pouting baby in a diaper will fly outside the British parliament in London on Tuesday ahead of what is expected to be one of the city's largest protests against a foreign leader.

Whilst overlooking that one of the reasons Trump is in town is for the 75th commeration of the D day landings that helped secure the freedom that these knobs take for granted with their childish little stunt .. Wasn't funny first time around .. 

All these brit  liberals will come out in protest of everything under the sun ,including President Trump.The guy is goin over there to pay homage to the fallen soldiers  who sacrificed their lives so these twitts can howl ,whine about a politician who doesn't support socialism,open borders and Government control of their existence! They have no respect for a visiting POTUS nor do they for the fallen soldiers! Shame on you Mayor! Many have said you trashed London 

Edited June 4, 20197 yr by riclag

1 hour ago, Justgrazing said:

Wasn't funny first time around .. 

I think it was funny and it certainly got plenty of attention (Donald's included). That said, I don't really see any value in flying the same old blimp again, they should have come up with something new this time around.

1 hour ago, riclag said:

All these brit  liberals will come out in protest of everything under the sun ,including President Trump.The guy is goin over there to pay homage to the fallen soldiers  who sacrificed their lives so these twitts can howl ,whine about a politician who doesn't support socialism,open borders and Government control of their existence! They have no respect for a visiting POTUS nor do they for the fallen soldiers! Shame on you Mayor! Many have said you trashed London 

 

Are you sure you want to go into Trump-and-respect-for-veteran-and-fallen territory?

12 hours ago, webfact said:

A giant inflatable blimp depicting Donald Trump as a pouting baby in a diaper will fly outside the British parliament in London on Tuesday

Great news, well done those behind this. 

 

An inflated blimp of a man with an inflated ego. 

 

Nice symmetry. 

Edited June 4, 20197 yr by Bluespunk

Just watched the pointless May - "trump" presser.

According to "trump" there have been no protests. 

It's fake news he says.

 

Is this a media inspired protest.And don’t the protesters have jobs to hold down.

How do you know Donald is lying?he has his mouth open or his little hands are a tweeting

7 hours ago, Baerboxer said:

So the neo-communist, Muslim radicals, and anti White brigade are joining forces to protest because they don't like someone or his politics.

 

Wonder what the reaction of these hypocrites would be if someone produced a cartoon blimp of Xi, Madura, the Saudi King, the Iranian leaders etc etc.

 

Trump may well be a dodgy businessman, up to every trick in the book and have some strong political views that those who don't support him find offensive. But so is just about every other politicians and political leader these days. Especially the champagne socialists pretending to represent the masses.

Who are the champagne socialists, please.?

And you forgot to mention Trump's never ending lying, his cosying up to white supremacists and neo nazis, his blatant racism, just to mention a few things.

Remember that your previous President was welcomed in every European city, attracting large crowds wherever he went because he was a man of integrity snd decency,  something Trump will never be 

28 minutes ago, Jonnapat said:

Who are the champagne socialists, please.?

And you forgot to mention Trump's never ending lying, his cosying up to white supremacists and neo nazis, his blatant racism, just to mention a few things.

Remember that your previous President was welcomed in every European city, attracting large crowds wherever he went because he was a man of integrity snd decency,  something Trump will never be 

Yes he made us proud. This one is EMBARASSING. 

1 hour ago, TheHangingJudge said:

Is this a media inspired protest.And don’t the protesters have jobs to hold down.

 

Of course it is. And surely you can back that up. Right?

12 hours ago, riclag said:

All these brit  liberals will come out in protest of everything under the sun ,including President Trump.The guy is goin over there to pay homage to the fallen soldiers  who sacrificed their lives so these twitts can howl ,whine about a politician who doesn't support socialism,open borders and Government control of their existence! They have no respect for a visiting POTUS nor do they for the fallen soldiers! Shame on you Mayor! Many have said you trashed London 

No he isn't. 

Edited June 4, 20197 yr by metisdead
Please do not modify someone else's post in your quoted reply, either with font or color changes or wording.

Attaboy UK, you guys did good this time. ????

5 hours ago, welovesundaysatspace said:

Really love how creative the Brits get to mock Donald Dumb. Great sense of humor as expected. Can’t wait to see him whining on Twitter. (And that there wasn’t a giant baby balloon, all fake news.)

 

The Demo is just “fake news” 

555 what a Donut

10 hours ago, Justgrazing said:

Whilst overlooking that one of the reasons Trump is in town is for the 75th commeration of the D day landings that helped secure the freedom that these knobs take for granted with their childish little stunt .. Wasn't funny first time around .. 

I think it is a shame that America is represented by a draft dodger...

1 minute ago, Kadilo said:

The Demo is just “fake news” 

555 what a Donut

Who are you talking about ?

Who is a "donut" ?

8 hours ago, riclag said:

All these brit  liberals will come out in protest of everything under the sun ,including President Trump.The guy is goin over there to pay homage to the fallen soldiers  who sacrificed their lives so these twitts can howl ,whine about a politician who doesn't support socialism,open borders and Government control of their existence! They have no respect for a visiting POTUS nor do they for the fallen soldiers! Shame on you Mayor! Many have said you trashed London 

I would suggest that Trump went there more for his own aggrandizement than for the noble causes that you raise.

 

Trump is Trump, always will be.

4 minutes ago, sanemax said:

Who are you talking about ?

Who is a "donut" ?

Mickey Mouse......who do you think?

11 minutes ago, Kadilo said:

Mickey Mouse......who do you think?

If I would have known , I would not have asked .

Who are you talking about and can you post a link to whoever called the protests "fakenews" ?

Edited June 4, 20197 yr by sanemax

6 minutes ago, sanemax said:

If I would have known , I would not have asked .

Who are you talking about and can you post a link to whoever called the protests "fakenews" ?

Watch the May / "trump" press conference. 

Get real, man, "trump" lies all the time.

As in everyday. Several times.

He calls real things fake all the time. 

That's who he is.

How can anyone, even fans, not get that by now?