Former aide Anthony Scaramucci warns that Trump may not care about Scotland despite his roots
Edinburgh: So, former White House communications director Anthony Scaramucci recently had some strong words about Donald Trump and Scotland. He was on a podcast and made it clear that Trump really doesn’t care about Scotland, even though his mom was born there.
Trump’s mother, Mary Anne MacLeod, hailed from Lewis, and some folks think that connection could be a big deal for Scotland. Scottish Secretary Ian Murray even mentioned that Trump has a “deep affection” for the country. But Scaramucci isn’t buying it.
He said that while Trump loves his golf course and enjoys his Scottish roots, at the end of the day, it’s all about him. Scaramucci warned that engaging with Trump could be risky. He suggested that Scotland’s First Minister should keep a low profile and avoid getting too close to Trump.
Scaramucci pointed out that if Trump visits, he might say something off the wall, like suggesting Scotland should be the 52nd state. He emphasized that Trump’s focus is on attention and money, and he could bring negative publicity to Scotland.
Interestingly, Scaramucci downplayed the idea that Trump would impose tariffs on the UK, despite Trump’s previous comments about tariffs on Canada and Mexico. He noted that Trump has a fondness for British traditions and might not want to stir up trouble with the UK.
First Minister John Swinney has said he has no choice but to engage with Trump if necessary, especially to protect Scotland’s economy. He understands that people have strong feelings about Trump, but he believes it’s his duty to safeguard Scotland’s interests.
In the past, Trump’s tariffs on Scottish whisky hit the industry hard, costing over £600 million. Swinney hopes to maintain the strong relationship between Scotland and the US, emphasizing the importance of their social, cultural, and economic ties.
A spokesperson for the Scottish Government echoed this sentiment, stating their commitment to ensuring these ties continue to thrive.
