Topline
Protesters across Scotland demonstrated against President Donald Trump’s visit after he arrived Friday and started with a round of golf at the Trump Turnberry course—the first of a few stops he plans to make in the country amid continued backlash linked to his handling and dismissal of the Epstein files.
President Donald Trump waves to reporters as he plays golf at the Trump Turnberry golf course in … More Turnberry, Scotland, Saturday, July 26, 2025.(AP Photo/Alastair Grant)
Key Facts
Trump hit the links at the Trump Turnberry course near the start of his visit and will later celebrate the opening of a new golf course at Trump International Golf Links Aberdeen.
The president also plans to hold tariff talks with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen during the brief visit.
Trump’s visit has been met with protests from some Scots who demonstrated in Aberdeen and outside the office of the Consulate General of the United States in Edinburgh, with signs blasting the president for his 34 felony counts of falsifying business records, his support of Israel and his handling of the Epstein files.
When asked about the Epstein files after landing in Scotland, Trump told reporters, “I’m not focused on conspiracy theories that you are.”
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Trump protesters gather at Union Terrace in Aberdeen, Scotland.
A demonstrator holds a photo of Trump and Epstein captioned “Best Pals Forever.”
A protester hold a large sign satirizing Trump.
People take part in a Stop Trump protest outside the US Consulate in Edinburgh.
Demonstrators protest in Aberdeen’s Union Terrace.
A protestor holds a sign outside the Consulate General of the United States.
A sign featuring a photo with Trump’s face captioned “RESIST.”
Key Background
Trump has been pressed by critics and supporters alike in recent weeks over his administration’s approach to the Epstein files—documents related to investigations into the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein and his associates. The administration has specifically been scrutinized for not releasing the full tranche of documents and its conflicting messages around their existence. Attorney General Pam Bondi told Fox News in February that Epstein’s client list was “sitting on her desk right now,” but the Justice Department later issued a report claiming there is no evidence such a list exists. Trump has received further backlash after the Wall Street Journal reported, citing senior officials, that Trump was informed his name is in the Epstein files (which the White House called a “fake news story”) and another article from the Journal citing documents that alleged a sexually suggestive birthday card written by Trump was sent to Epstein for the disgraced financier’s 50th birthday. Trump has denied writing the birthday card and sued the Journal over the story. Trump has downplayed the files and blasted “past supporters” for demanding their release. His administration has pushed for the release of grand jury testimony linked to Epstein’s indictment, though a judge recently denied the request, which may never clear a number of legal hurdles needed to get the jury documents published. Critics have also pointed out the documents mainly focus on Epstein and his associate Ghislaine Maxwell, not the network of people potentially linked to them.
Further Reading
Trump Deflects: Promises ‘List’ Of ‘Hedge Fund Guys’ Who ‘Lived With Jeffrey Epstein’ (Forbes)
Why Trump’s Epstein Case Against Wall Street Journal Could Backfire On Him (Forbes)
