By Tom McGhie
Copyright dailystar
Donald Trump’s state visit to the UK could end up costing this country a small fortune – as security concerns balloon following Charlie Kirk’s assassination. The Republican and his wife Melania are due to touch down on British soil later this evening in what is an “unprecedented” trip for the MAGA man , marking only the second time a US President has embarked on two state visits to the UK. In 2019, an impressive £3.9million was forked out on keeping Trump safe and well-fed when he visited these shores as president – that’s £5million in today’s money. And it’s likely to be even more this time round, with research from the Daily Star working out that this 2025 trip will cost the UK between £8.5million – £12.5million. According to the Independent in 2019, the budget spent on policing the Trump visit cost £3.4million, as some 6,300 officers were sent to keep him safe. Since then, there’s been an attack on his life in the US, when a shooter called Thomas Crooks took aim at him and glanced his ear at a Pennsylvania rally. Following MAGA influencer Charlie Kirk’s shooting in Utah last week, it is likely this police presence will be huge. Speaking to NBC outside Windsor Castle yesterday, Sgt Dan Hatfield: “Residents of Windsor are used to seeing a fairly high level of armed police. For this state visit, they will see an increase in those numbers.” The MAGA man will enjoy the protection of a “ring of steel” around him, with his visit seeing one of the UK’s largest security operations “of all time”. With the help of Gemini – using Trump’s four day 2018 visit as benchmark, which cost £18million – the Daily Star worked out security for the president is probably going to fetch a bill between £8million – £12million, proving to be the main portion of this two-day visit’s cost. This is primarily because – unlike in 2019 – Trump’s visit won’t be as geographically limited. After filling up on caviar and fake champagne at Windsor Castle, he and Melania will take a trip down to Chequers, Keir Starmer’s country residence. With growing disdain in this country for Trump’s foreign policy, there’s likely to be protestors – and people wishing to enact some political violence – everywhere he goes. Sources revealed to the Sun last week there will be an army of drones – around 55 military ones – floating around the president, with a no-fly zone above Windsor also in place. Defence expert Chris Phillips said: “We don’t have a gun culture, but there are firearms here. Flags will be used to block high points to stop a sniper attack like the one on Charlie Kirk and the assassination attempt on Mr Trump himself last year. “Drones present a new risk and police will have anti-drone guns in case of one being used for a bomb attack. This President is disliked by so many people, there are bound to be demonstrations against him and that will create an extra difficulty for police.” And all that police firepower cost is all before we even touch on what Trump’s going to be ramming down his gullet at the state banquet. 160 guests will join King Charles, Camilla, Trump and Melania, in an exclusive nosh-up at Windsor Castle. Gemini lists the expenditure on royal and ceremonial events as upwards of £500,000 this year. If the state banquet is anything like last year, Trump’s cheeks are going to be rammed – like a giant orange squirrel full of nuts. In 2019, the Don was belching after a starter of steamed fillet of halibut with watercress mousse, asparagus spears and chervil sauce to start. The main dish was new season Windsor lamb with fragrant herb stuffing, spring vegetables and port sauce, with strawberry sable with tangy lemon verbena cream for dessert. Keir Starmer’s going to have to pull off every trick in the book at Chequers if he’s to best the royal food display at Windsor.
