Hours before he was due to leave for his first state visit to the United Kingdom, President Trump hit back at reports that he called Meghan Markle, the duchess of Sussex, “nasty” in an interview in which he did use the word to describe her.
The build-up to Trump’s long-delayed trip has been roiled by two media interviews in which he offered opinions on sensitive subjects from Brexit and the Conservative leadership battle to the royal family.
Buckingham Palace has maintained a discreet silence, but Trump’s is just the sort of outspoken behavior that will rankle in a country where a quarter of a million people are expected to protest the president’s visit.
I never called Meghan Markle “nasty.” Made up by the Fake News Media, and they got caught cold! Will @CNN, @nytimes and others apologize? Doubt it!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) June 2, 2019
In an interview with the Rupert Murdoch-owned Sun newspaper, published on Friday, Trump said he was unaware that Meghan — an American actress — had branded him “divisive” and misogynistic” during the 2016 election campaign.
“I didn’t know that. What can I say?” he was quoted as saying, before adding, “I didn’t know she was that nasty.”
An audio recording of the conversation confirms that Trump did use the epithet to describe the duchess, although he also had kind words for her, saying “she’ll do excellently” in her role as royalty.
Fake News CNN is at it again, falsely claiming President Trump called Meghan Markle “nasty.” Here is what he actually said. Listen for yourself! pic.twitter.com/kLuPXBLMhf
— Official Trump War Room (@TrumpWarRoom) June 1, 2019
But on Sunday morning, the day he was due to depart for London, he tweeted, “I never called Meghan Markle ‘nasty.’ Made up by the Fake News Media, and they got caught cold!”
“Will @CNN, @nytimes and others apologize? Doubt it!” he said.
The ongoing controversy could make for some awkward small talk.
Queen Elizabeth II is due to welcome Trump and the first lady to Buckingham Palace on Monday. A formal state dinner will follow in the evening.
The Trumps will host a reciprocal banquet the following evening at Winfield House, the residence of the U.S. ambassador. Trump will also take tea with Prince Charles, who is well-known for his embrace of environmental issues and new age thinking — in contrast to his guest.
In the interview with the Sun, Trump insisted he was looking forward to the conversation. “I can say we have among the cleanest climate in the world right now,” he said. “Our air and water are doing very well.”
Although Prince Harry is expected to be present during some of the receptions, his wife will not be there. Perhaps to everyone’s relief, she remains on official maternity leave following the birth of Archie last month.
