Friday, 11 July 2025

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Dear 222 News viewers, sponsored by smileband, 

Trump’s Visit to Scotland (Summer 2025) — Summary

Visit scope: Donald Trump, now U.S. President, is planning a semi-private trip to Scotland later this month. The itinerary includes stops at his golf resorts in Turnberry (South Ayrshire) and Menie in Aberdeenshire, including the opening of a new course and memorial garden. No meetings with King Charles are scheduled, although Prime Minister Keir Starmer is expected to meet him during the visit. 

Police Scotland preparations: Authorities are gearing up for a significant security operation potentially involving up to 5,000 officers working extended shifts. Planning is underway even before final confirmation of the visit date.  

Historical Precedents and Cost Figures

2018—Presidential Visit:

Trump’s official UK visit in July 2018 triggered demonstrations primarily in London and Edinburgh. The overall UK policing operation cost was estimated at £18 million, with nearly 10,000 officers across the country deployed and over 26,000 shifts worked.  

The Visit to Scotland alone (Turnberry golf course) was charged to Police Scotland at approximately £3.2 million, around half of which was for overtime (~£1.6 m). The Treasury covered these costs.  

2023—Private Citizen Visit:

Trump’s May 2023 trip to Scotland—his first since losing the U.S. presidency—cost only around £60,000 in Police Scotland overtime and subsistence payments (approx. £57,500 overtime and £2,000 subsistence). There was no formal funding mechanism to recover these costs, as he visited as a private individual. The operation was known as “Operation Booknote.”  

Projected Cost for 2025 Visit

While exact costs for the upcoming trip remain unknown, comparisons to prior visits provide context:

1. Given the scale—possibly official due to state or governmental coordination—costs are likely to exceed those of the private 2023 trip.

2. Assuming similar deployment levels (thousands of officers), the expense could approach or exceed the multi‑million‑pound scale seen in 2018.

3. Funding arrangements remain uncertain:

If deemed an official visit, the Treasury or UK central government may reimburse Police Scotland.

If unofficial, then Police Scotland may again absorb most of the cost due to lack of recovery mechanisms.

Critics including political figures have voiced concern that Scottish taxpayers may be left footing the bill unless formal arrangements are made with Westminster. 

Latest Reporting

Recent published coverage highlights the scale of planning and concern:

Up to 5,000 officers may be deployed.

Preparations include airspace restrictions, presidential motorcade logistics, rooftop snipers, US Secret Service coordination, and potential protests. 

The visit remains officially unconfirmed, with governments in UK and Scotland still preparing contingency plans.

In Conclusion

Trump’s projected summer 2025 stay in Scotland is poised to be one of the most complex and costly security operations seen since his 2018 state visit. Given the scale of planning and lack of clarity about reimbursement, significant pressure remains on Scottish police funding if the Treasury does not step in. More publicly available budget numbers will likely emerge as the visit is finalized.

Attached is a news article regarding Donald trump visit to Scotland and the considerable cost for the police 

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cm20xvgmd8yo.amp

Article written and configured by Christopher Stanley 


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Smileband News

Dear 222 News viewers, sponsored by smileband,  Trump’s Visit to Scotland (Summer 2025) — Summary • Visit scope: Donald Trump, now U.S. ...