This will be Donald Trump’s third meeting with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, the last two having taken place at country residence Chequers, on Thursday September 16th 2025. This meeting comes at a time of unusually high and divisive economic controversies. Public protest is increasing ahead of his administration’s policies and presence in the UK. Trump’s arrival for his second state visit has already sparked thousands to join demonstrations voicing their disapproval.
It’s hard to overstate how perfectly timed Trump’s upcoming visit is. He’s recently called for the firing of Federal Reserve governor Lisa Cook, making mortgage fraud a key issue. His administration has faced burning criticism for their economic choices. This latest wave of criticism has grown significantly following US chief statistician Erika McEntarfer’s firing at the hands of this administration. McEntarfer decried her abrupt ousting as “dangerous,” calling on Americans to be alarmed at the independence of key economic institutions.
Royal Treatment Amidst Protest
On the first day of his three-day state visit, Trump reveled in British royal pomp and pageantry. He was accompanied by no less than King Charles and Queen Camilla themselves. That opulent reception included a formal state banquet to celebrate the former chief executive. Simultaneously, it expertly prevented him from being held accountable by his critics.
Even with the royal treatment, Trump’s visit in London was not without drama or contention. Tens of thousands of protesters filled the streets to demonstrate their outrage at his policies and overt corruption. The contrasting image of royal ceremonies and public dissent could not have better illustrated the precarious nature of Trump’s political position at home and abroad.
“Anathema to what it means to be a democratic country.” – Barack Obama
At the same time as the protests were unfolding, Trump was lobbying hard behind the scenes for a historic change to U.S. monetary policy. It’s not just that he found the Federal Reserve’s response to the crisis “too late,” he’s advocated for much sharper measures like cutting interest rates altogether. The U.S. Federal Reserve just cut interest rates for the first time since December. This change is designed to provide some additional steadiness to a labor market that is starting to experience some wobbles.
Economic Controversies Intensify
Seven years later, the economic landscape in the U.S. is still rife with uncertainty, and Trump’s ire has simply shifted to other economic institutions. Even since his initial call for Cook’s impeachment, he has tried to exploit the situation by casting himself as a populist crusader against economic incompetence or corruption. Reducing mortgage fraud is certainly a worthy aim, but his administration’s focus on doing so has alarmed many economists and policymakers.
Though the loss of McEntarfer has raised new questions about trust in economic data. She expressed concern about the integrity of financial institutions when she stated, “Markets have to trust the data are not manipulated.” This statement, perhaps, highlights the fear about Trump’s economic policies and their likely effect on consumer confidence.
Beyond all of this should-know news, Trump is making moves to limit how the media investigates and criticizes his administration. He appointed a new chair for the U.S. broadcast regulator. This chair went after the broadcasting license of Jimmy Kimmel Live for critical comments directed toward him. This action has created serious concerns about the implications for freedom of expression and the independent media essential to a democratic society.
Public Sentiment and Political Ramifications
Trump’s visit has not only reignited discussions about his policies but underscored growing divisions within both American and British societies. The protests go beyond the controversy over the new highway policy, expressing general frustration with his administration’s governing and economic philosophy. As demonstrators took to the streets, they voiced concerns that extend beyond Trump’s individual actions, touching on national values and democratic principles.
One leader battles a treacherous, shifting political caste while trying to reestablish his leadership on all things economic. And Trump is not done exporting his dangerous anti-democratic agenda overseas. At the same time, the impact of his policies here in the United States has led to fiery debates.