Rob Groves: Deliberate Destruction of USA Is Trump's Revenge

May 2, 2026 | "As King Prince Charles touched down in Washington for a state visit, Britain's own ambassador to the United States had a recording leaked to the Financial Times in which he said the only country that truly has a special relationship with America is probably Israel.

This week's Truth To Power looks at the collapse of American soft power under Trump, the growing European consensus that the United States under this administration is not an ally but a threat, and Rebecca Solnit's compelling thesis that Trump isn't governing badly, he's deliberately destroying governance itself. As an act of revenge on the country that rejected him in 2020.

And what does all of this mean for Britain? Trapped, according to the LSE, between a Europe we've partly left and an America we can no longer trust."


It is such a pity that Starmer sent our king to pay homage to King Don in his kingdumb! — © Mark Alexander

JD Vance Furious after King Charles’ Speech

Apr 29, 2026 | How did King Charles expose Trump in front of Congress? Did it make Trump angry? And, why was JD Vance so unhappy with the speech?

Mamdani’s Advice to Royals: Give That Priceless Diamond Back to India

THE NEW YORK TIMES: Mayor Zohran Mamdani and King Charles did not meet privately. But if they had, the mayor said, he probably would have raised the issue of the Koh-i-Noor Diamond. [sic]

Hours before greeting King Charles III in Lower Manhattan on Wednesday, Mayor Zohran Mamdani was asked about the royal visit during a news conference in the Bronx.

The mayor quickly distanced himself, saying that he would be attending a ceremony at the 9/11 Memorial and Museum “alongside a number of other elected officials” and that would be the extent of his interaction with the king.

But what would he say to King Charles if they were to have a private meeting?

“I would probably encourage him to return the Koh-i-Noor Diamond,” Mr. Mamdani said.

The mayor’s decision to invoke the 105.6-carat diamond — taken from an 11-year-old Indian prince in the 1840s when India was a British colony and presented to Queen Victoria — was in character.

Mr. Mamdani was born in Uganda, also once part of the British Empire, to Indian parents who have helped to shape his political views. His father, Mahmood Mamdani, is a leading scholar of anticolonialism. His mother, Mira Nair, is an award-winning filmmaker whose movies have examined the colonial experience. India has lobbied for the diamond, part of the crown jewels in the Tower of London, to be returned.

Mr. Mamdani is also the city’s first democratic socialist mayor, and he has said his goal is to uplift the city’s working-class residents. » | Jeffrey C. Mays | Wednesday, April 29, 2026

À LIRE AUSSI :

Zohran Mamdani demande à Charles III de rendre un diamant réclamé par l'Inde : Le maire de New York Zohran Mamdani a appelé mercredi le roi Charles III à «rendre» le diamant Koh-i-Noor, joyau de la couronne obtenu en Inde par l’Empire britannique au XIXe siècle. »

King Charles Agrees with Me on Iran Nuclear Weapon Ban, Claims Trump

THE GUARDIAN: Remarks by US president likely to cause embarrassment for aides of UK monarch, who usually remains neutral

Donald Trump has claimed King Charles agrees with him that Iran should never be allowed nuclear weapons.

Trump made the remarks at a White House state dinner on Tuesday in honour of the visiting Charles and Camilla, after the two men sat down to bilateral talks earlier that day.

As head of state, the king is above party politics and remains neutral. Trump’s comments are likely to cause some embarrassment to royal aides that the king’s views – or, at least, what Trump claims his views to be – have been made public.

The US president said in his speech at the white-tie event on Tuesday evening: “We’re doing a little Middle East work right now … and we’re doing very well. We have militarily defeated that particular opponent, and we’re never going to let that opponent ever, Charles agrees with me even more than I do, we’re never going to let that opponent have a nuclear weapon. » | Guardian staff and agencies | Wednesday, April 29, 2026

Full Guest List for Trump’s State Dinner With Charles and Camilla

THE NEW YORK TIMES: Six members of the Supreme Court were invited to the dinner, alongside top administration officials, billionaires and Republican lawmakers.

Screenshot taken from this NYT article. | President Trump and the first lady, Melania Trump, welcomed King Charles III of Britain and Queen Camilla to the White House on Tuesday evening for a state dinner. | Kenny Holston/The New York Times
More than 100 guests were invited to the state dinner that President Trump hosted for King Charles III of Britain and Queen Camilla on Tuesday night. The list included many allies and friends of Mr. Trump’s, top administration officials, six Supreme Court justices, Republican lawmakers, billionaires and other conservative figures.

Here is the entire list of invitees provided by the White House. » | By The New York Times | Published: Tuesday, April 28, 2026. Updated: Wednesday, April 29, 2026

King Charles III Addresses Joint Meeting of U.S. Congress

April 28, 2026 | Britain's King Charles III addresses a joint meeting of the U.S. Congress in honor of the 250th anniversary of American independence.

RELATED NYT ARTICLES TO READ:

Beneath King Charles’s Jokes and Decorum, Some Subtle Rebuttals to Trump: King Charles III gently pushed back against President Trump’s attacks on Britain and NATO, and he spoke of the importance of checks and balances. »

At State Dinner, King Charles Charms the Court of Trump” King Charles III presented President Trump with a golden bell. “Should you ever need to get hold of us,” the king said, “well, just give us a ring!” »

See the Menu for the British Royal State Dinner: Spring-herbed ravioli and Dover sole meunière are among the dishes at the dinner honoring King Charles III of Britain and Queen Camilla. »

King Charles Issues ‘Pretty Direct’ Warning to US Congress about Power without Checks and Balances

Apr 28, 2026 | "In terms of the UK-US relationship, I think he’s played a blinder."

King Charles made “very barbed” comments to the US Congress, reminding Americans that in their democracy, “executive power is subject to checks and balances”, says British diplomat and former Brexit counsellor at the British Embassy in Washington, Alexandra Hall Hall.

Jonathan Dimbleby Responds to King Charles's “Political” Speech to US Congress

Apr 29, 2026 | There were some politically charged messages from King Charles in his address to the US Congress. Was President Trump listening? We speak to King Charles's biographer and friend Jonathan Dimbleby. Interview by Victoria Derbyshire.

King Charles Stresses Cooperation in Speech to Congress

THE NEW YORK TIMES: The British monarch’s trip is intended in part to repair strained U.S.-British ties. President Trump will host him and Queen Camilla for a state dinner at the White House.

King Charles III on Tuesday delivered an optimistic assessment of American-British relations at what is arguably their lowest point in decades, telling a joint meeting of Congress that the two countries had always found a way to come together.

“The very principle on which your Congress was founded — no taxation without representation — was at once a fundamental disagreement between us, and at the same time a shared democratic value which you inherited from us,” the king said. “Ours is a partnership born out of dispute.”

Charles did not directly refer to the current tensions between Prime Minister Keir Starmer and President Trump over the U.S.-Israeli war in Iran. Mr. Trump has repeatedly belittled Mr. Starmer as a coward and mocked British aircraft carriers as nothing more than “toys” compared to America’s military armada.

But the king offered a genteel response of sorts. He noted his own service in the Royal Navy more than a half-century ago and repeated Mr. Starmer’s assertion that Britain had “committed to the biggest sustained increase in defense spending since the Cold War.”

He also pushed back, ever so gently, against Mr. Trump’s angry attacks on Britain and on the NATO alliance for not joining in the Iran war. After the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks, the king told lawmakers, “We answered the call together — as our people have done so for more than a century.”

“Our defense, intelligence and security ties are hard-wired together through relationships measured not in years, but in decades,” he said.

The king’s message to Congress is intended to advance his government’s priorities without ensnaring himself in the ongoing disputes between Mr. Trump and Mr. Starmer. Live Updates » | Michael D. Shear, Zolan Kanno-Youngs and Max Bearak Michael D. Shear and Zolan Kanno-Youngs reported from Washington. | Tuesday, April 28, 2026

Watch the NYT video here.

Trump: My Mother Had a Crush on Charles

Screenshot taken from this Telegraph article. | The King and Donald Trump share a joke as the president welcomes the monarch to the White House | Credit: Mandel NGAN / AFP via Getty Images
THE TELEGRAPH: Donald Trump joked that his mother had a crush on the King when he was a young Prince of Wales during a welcome ceremony at the White House on Tuesday.

The US president said his mother, Mary, who was Scottish, imbued in him a love for the Royal family and Elizabeth II.

He said: “Any time the Queen was involved in a ceremony...my mother would be glued to the television.

“And she’d say, ‘look Donald, look how beautiful that is’. She really did love the family. I also remember her saying very clearly...‘Charles look, young Charles, he’s so cute’.

Mr Trump then turned to the King and mouthed “my mother”, before adding: “My mother had a crush on Charles. Can you believe it?” » | Kieran Kelly Foreign Breaking News Reporter. Hannah Furness Royal Editor. Connor Stringer Chief Washington Correspondent. Neil Johnston Senior news reporter. Tony Diver Political Editor | Tuesday, April 28, 2026

King Charles Meets Trump in Diplomatic State Visit to Repair Broken US-UK Relations

Apr 28, 2026 | King Charles III and Queen Camilla began a highly-anticipated state visit to the United States with a carefully choreographed reception at the White House, where they were greeted by Donald Trump and Melania.

The meeting, marked by handshakes, polite conversation, and a series of official photographs, was designed to project continuity and strength in the longstanding relationship between the two nations against a backdrop of political tension, security concerns, and renewed scrutiny of both nations’ leadership


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King Visits US as UK Relationship with America Hits Deep Low

Apr 27, 2026 | In the next hour, King Charles will arrive in Washington DC for a royal visit with very high stakes. His first stop - a White House from where the US President has launched repeated verbal assaults on Keir Starmer.

Part 2: Trump Faces Royal Reckoning from King Charles

Aug 25, 2026 | Sidney Blumenthal and Sean Wilentz speak with Alastair Campbell, former strategist and press secretary for PM Tony Blair, and co-host of The Rest Is Politics podcast, on how King Charles should manage the fake US king Donald Trump, and the true story of Trump’s tragic immigrant Scottish mother.

Part 1: Trump Rebuked by King Charles Ahead of US Visit

Apr 25, 2026 | Sidney Blumenthal and Sean Wilentz speak with Alastair Campbell, former strategist and press secretary for PM Tony Blair, and co-host of The Rest Is Politics podcast, about King Charles’ awkward visit to the US, how he has to handle Trump’s ego, and Trump’s rupture of the US-UK “special relationship.”

How I Will Shame King for Meeting Fascist Trump | The Daily Beast Podcast

April 26, 2026

What to Know About King Charles and Queen Camilla’s State Visit to the U.S.

THE NEW YORK TIMES: The British royals are set to arrive on Monday for a visit hosted by President Trump, with a garden party, an address to Congress and a banquet on the schedule.

Screenshot taken from this NYT article. | King Charles and Queen Camilla in London this past week. When President Trump was asked whether Charles’s upcoming visit could mend relations with Britain, he said: “Absolutely. He’s fantastic. He’s a fantastic man. Absolutely the answer is yes.” | Credit...Pool photo by Ian Vogler
King Charles III and Queen Camilla will travel to the United States this week for an official state visit, making stops in New York and Washington, where they will meet with President Trump and the king will deliver an address to Congress.

The visit was arranged to celebrate the 250th anniversary of American independence, and planning began long before the United States and Israel launched their war with Iran in late February — a conflict that has put considerable strain on the U.S.-U.K. relationship. But Mr. Trump has long indicated a great fondness for the monarch, and the trip could go some way to smoothing over recent tensions.

The trip will last from Monday through Thursday. Here’s what to know.

Why is King Charles visiting now?

The official visit, carried out on behalf of the British government, is intended to celebrate the connections between the two countries and acknowledge their longstanding relationship, and it is timed to mark the 250th anniversary of American independence this year.

Buckingham Palace called the visit “an opportunity to recognize the shared history of our two nations; the breadth of the economic, security and cultural relationship that has developed since then; and the deep people-to-people connections which unite communities.” » | Megan Specia | Reporting from London | Sunday, April 26, 2026

King Charles Will Not Meet Epstein Victims During U.S. State Visit

THE NEW YORK TIMES: Representative Ro Khanna had asked Buckingham Palace for a private meeting between the victims and King Charles during his planned visit to the U.S. next week.

Screenshot taken from this NYT article. | Lawyers representing King Charles said he will not meet with victims of Jeffrey Epstein’s abuse when the monarch visits the U.S. next week.Credit...Ben Stansall/Agence France-Presse — Getty Images
During his state visit to the United States next week, King Charles III will not meet with victims of Jeffrey Epstein, according to a letter from lawyers representing King Charles and Queen Camilla in response to a request from Representative Ro Khanna, Democrat of California.

Mr. Khanna had asked Buckingham Palace to arrange a private audience between the monarch and victims of Mr. Epstein who are seeking accountability.

“The king and queen have consistently made clear their support for all victims of abuse, wherever and however perpetrated,” the letter said. It added that because of “ongoing police inquiries” in the United Kingdom, King Charles was “unable to meet survivors or comment directly on the matters under inquiry.”

In Britain, the Epstein scandal has centered on the king’s brother, Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, and his relationship with Mr. Epstein; he was arrested in February over accusations of misconduct in public office and has denied wrongdoing.

Mr. Khanna, who has been among the most vocal advocates in Washington for broader disclosure of records tied to Mr. Epstein and his longtime associate Ghislaine Maxwell, initially framed the request as a chance for survivors to speak directly to one of the world’s most visible heads of state about the abuse they suffered. » | Robert Jimison | Reporting from the Capitol | Wednesday, April 22, 2026

King Charles Pays Tribute to Queen Elizabeth on What Would Have Been Her 100th Birthday

Apr 21, 2026 | Britain's King Charles has paid tribute to his late mother, Queen Elizabeth II, in a video message released to mark what would have been her 100th birthday, noting much of life today would likely have “troubled her deeply.”

MADAME FIGARO : Le vibrant hommage de Charles III à la reine Elizabeth II, sa «chère maman», pour les 100 ans de sa naissance : Elizabeth II aurait eu 100 ans ce mardi 21 avril. Pour l’occasion, son fils, le roi Charles III, lui a rendu un vibrant hommage, se souvenant «d’une souveraine qui comptait tant pour nous tous». »

"He's Been Bullying Britain" David Dimbleby Says "Narcissist" Trump Doesn't Deserve King's US Visit

Apr 1, 2026 | David Dimbleby, the veteran BBC broadcaster, has spoken to BBC Newsnight ahead of King Charles' state visit to the United States, arguing that the visit “is a misuse of the King” and the UK is “giving Trump more than he deserves”. Interview by Adam Fleming.

Related video here.

David Dimbleby Says King’s US Visit Is an ‘Embarrassment’ | BBC Radio 4 PM

Mar 31, 2026 | Buckingham Palace has confirmed King Charles and Queen Camilla will meet US President Donald Trump in a state visit to the United States in late April.

Speaking to Radio 4’s PM, BBC Royal Occasion presenter David Dimbleby said the planned visit is an “embarrassment” and it is not “an appropriate time to go”.

The veteran broadcaster also said he has “pity” for the King because “he’s at mercy of the government”.