In Scotland, Trump echoes far-right rhetoric on immigration “Stop the invasion of lose Europe”

During his visit to Scotland, US President Donald Trump declared that immigration is “killing Europe,” delivering remarks that aligned with far-right rhetoric as he prepared for high-level meetings with European leaders.

Speaking to reporters shortly after arriving for a five-day trip, Trump responded to a question on migration by warning European countries to act swiftly.

“On immigration, you'd better get your act together. You're not going to have Europe anymore,” he said. “You’ve got to stop this horrible invasion that's happening to Europe. Some people, some leaders, have not let it happen. They're not getting the proper credit.”

Trump declined to name the leaders he was praising, stating he did not want to “embarrass” others. His comments echoed themes of the “Great Replacement” theory, a narrative frequently circulated by the far right, which suggests that Europe is being demographically reshaped by immigration from Africa and other regions.

The US president is expected to hold meetings with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer during his stay. Von der Leyen has confirmed the two leaders will “discuss transatlantic relations,” amid ongoing trade negotiations ahead of a self-imposed August 1 deadline set by Trump. He has warned that if no agreement is reached, the US will impose a 30% tariff on EU imports.

In response, EU member states have approved a list of potential countermeasures, should the talks fail to yield a deal. Trump, however, appeared optimistic, describing the potential agreement as “the biggest deal of them all if we make it.”

Trump also used the opportunity to renew his criticism of wind energy. “Stop the windmills, you’re ruining your countries ... ruining your beautiful fields and valleys, and killing your birds,” he told reporters. The US president, who has repeatedly attacked wind turbines in recent years, recently said, “I don’t want windmills destroying our place.”

Trump is widely known for rejecting the scientific consensus on climate change and has frequently challenged the role of green energy in reducing global carbon emissions. His opposition to wind power is longstanding, despite the absence of scientific evidence that it has harmful effects on local ecosystems.

His hostility toward wind farms has a personal dimension as well. The Trump Organisation, now managed by his children through a trust, was ordered to pay the Scottish government’s legal costs after unsuccessfully attempting to block a wind farm near its golf course in Aberdeenshire. The company had argued the turbines would obstruct scenic views for golfers.

During his stay in Scotland, Trump will visit both the Aberdeenshire golf resort — set to officially open on August 13 — and another course near Turnberry, both of which are owned by his family.

By Tamilla Hasanova