Trump Goes Full Xenophobe: Migrants Strip Europe Of Culture

Nick Visser
Updated

President Donald Trump lambasted Europe’s immigration policies during an interview with The Sun, a British tabloid, on Thursday, saying an influx of migrants fleeing violence and seeking asylum has caused the continent to lose its culture and “changed the fabric of Europe.”

“And I don’t mean that in a positive way,” Trump told the paper in a sit-down interview. “I think allowing millions and millions of people to come into Europe is very, very sad. I think you’re losing your culture. Look around. You go through certain areas that didn’t exist 10 or 15 years ago.”

In the same interview, Trump criticized U.K. Prime Minister Theresa May, saying her “soft Brexit” proposal would “probably kill” any trade deal with the U.S.

In recent years, some 1.8 million people migrated to Europe, many seeking asylum, setting off a continent-wide crisis and a wave of xenophobia and populism. European leaders are still struggling with how to handle the influx, and the issue has remained a top political issue, even though migrant arrivals have plummeted this year.

On Friday, Trump appeared to backpedal from his remarks to The Sun. A reporter asked him about the comments as he and May took photos ahead of their bilateral talks, and he pointed a finger, looked down and didn’t answer the question.

He went on to say that he and May “probably never developed a better relationship” than during their dinner the evening before.”

“The relationship is very, very strong, we really have a very good relationship,” he added, according to the Press Association.

White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders also issued a statement overnight saying, “The President likes and respects Prime Minister May very much.”

Trump arrived in the United Kingdom on Thursday amid widespread protests over his visit with May and on the heels of a frosty NATO summit. Picketers gathered outside the U.S. ambassador’s residence, where Donald and Melania Trump were staying for the night, and outside Blenheim Palace, where they dined with May. A massive march is planned for Friday in London.

Many have gathered to protest Trump’s policies on immigration, including his administration’s travel ban on citizens from several Muslim-majority nations and America’s zero tolerance policy on unauthorized immigration that led thousands of migrant children to be separated from their parents.

In his interview Donald Trump doubled down on his opposition to immigration regardless of legality, saying that asylum seekers and migrants strip countries of their culture and implying that immigrants are linked to an increase in terrorism.

“You have a mayor who has done a terrible job in London. He’s done a terrible job,” Trump said of London Mayor Sadiq Khan, with whom the president has had a long-running feud. “Take a look at the terrorism that’s taking place. Look at what’s going on. He’s done a terrible job.”

Trump continued, “I think that all of this immigration has really changed the fabric of Europe. Now, I speak as an outsider when I say that, but I speak as somebody who loves Europe, and I think it’s too bad. I think he’s done a very bad job on terrorism. I think he’s done a bad job on crime.”

Khan has supported the protests against Trump, even approving a giant balloon depicting the U.S. leader as an orange baby, saying Londoners “are resolutely opposed to the politics of despair.”

“The very specialness of our relationship means that we expect the highest standards from each other, and it also means speaking out when we think one side is not living up to the values we hold dear,” Khan wrote in a column in The Evening Standard on Thursday. “Like many Londoners I feel that now is one of those occasions.”

Trump said this week he thinks the protests are “fine,” adding that he believes “they like me a lot in the U.K.” But his schedule will mostly keep him out of London during his trip and away from the chorus of protesters.

Police expect more than 100,000 to turn out anyway.

Liza Hearon contributed reporting.

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Demonstrators float a blimp portraying President Donald Trump, next to a Union Flag above Parliament Square, during the visit by Trump and First Lady Melania Trump in London on July 13, 2018. 
Demonstrators float a blimp portraying President Donald Trump, next to a Union Flag above Parliament Square, during the visit by Trump and First Lady Melania Trump in London on July 13, 2018. 
A man dressed as Trump in a gorilla costume stands in what appears to be a prison cell during a London protest.
A man dressed as Trump in a gorilla costume stands in what appears to be a prison cell during a London protest.
Protesters gathered near an entrance to the U.S. ambassador to the U.K.'s residence in London on July 12, 2018 as Trump arrived. 
Protesters gathered near an entrance to the U.S. ambassador to the U.K.'s residence in London on July 12, 2018 as Trump arrived. 
More protesters outside the entrance to Blenheim Palace, Oxfordshire, ahead of the dinner hosted by Prime Minister Theresa May.
More protesters outside the entrance to Blenheim Palace, Oxfordshire, ahead of the dinner hosted by Prime Minister Theresa May.
Homemade anti-Trump placards in Butler's Cross, close to the prime minister's country residence of Chequers, during day two of Trump's visit.
Homemade anti-Trump placards in Butler's Cross, close to the prime minister's country residence of Chequers, during day two of Trump's visit.
A protester carries an umbrella during an anti-Trump demonstration.
A protester carries an umbrella during an anti-Trump demonstration.
Demonstrators protest against the visit of U.S. President Donald Trump, in central London, Britain, July 13, 2018.
Demonstrators protest against the visit of U.S. President Donald Trump, in central London, Britain, July 13, 2018.
A drag queen joins protesters against the UK visit of US President Donald Trump as they gather to take part in a march and rally in London.
A drag queen joins protesters against the UK visit of US President Donald Trump as they gather to take part in a march and rally in London.
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The handmaid on the left, Angela Wardbrown, traveled from Winchester to attend today’s protest. Totalitarian regimes, like the one on the hit show, “have their roots in some of what Trump’s doing now,” she said. “It’s endemic.”
14-month-old Linus Hemphreys and his mother Alexandra Heminsley from Brighton protests the visit of President Donald Trump to the UK. 
14-month-old Linus Hemphreys and his mother Alexandra Heminsley from Brighton protests the visit of President Donald Trump to the UK. 
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Protesters hold up signs referencing Trump's "grab 'em by the pussy" comments.
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Tens of thousands people protest U.S. President Donald Trump in central London.
Demonstrators protesting President Donald Trump's visit sit on the shoulders of what appears to be Trump.
Demonstrators protesting President Donald Trump's visit sit on the shoulders of what appears to be Trump.
A young demonstrator holds a banner calling U.S. President Donald Trump "a super-villain."
A young demonstrator holds a banner calling U.S. President Donald Trump "a super-villain."

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