CNN’s David Gergen said that despite ongoing political turmoil, President Trump had a very positive reception during his visit to the United Kingdom.
Gergen spoke after Trump and Prime Minister Theresa May met Tuesday and held a joint press conference.
“I would think this White House would be very pleased with the results so far,” Gergen said. “This is one of the warmest receptions the president has received anywhere in the world. The issues that they discussed, they seem to be in harmony with the May government and that sort of thing.”
Gergen noted that despite the cheery reception by the prime minister and royals, both May and Trump are not popular in the U.K. He pointed out the political turmoil that has come from the country’s vote to leave the European Union and the protests that accompanied Trump’s three-day visit.
“So it’s weird, on the surface, I think it’s a very positive [trip], and the president obviously loved, loved, loved the time with the Royals. He did very well with that,” he added. “So on the surface this has all been sweetness and light, but underneath there are some really serious political problems.”
Gergen served in the administrations of presidents Richard Nixon, Gerald Ford, Ronald Reagan, and Bill Clinton and is the founding director of the Center for Public Leadership at the Harvard Kennedy School.
Tuesday marks the second day of Trump’s three-day visit to the U.K. He met with Queen Elizabeth II and attended a royal banquet at Buckingham palace on Monday.
