In Milwaukee, the battle for Donald Trump’s attention is heating up and Brits want in.
Nigel Farage has made great play of his relationship with Trump, frequently posing for pictures with the U.S. president. | Brendan Smialowksi/AFP via Getty Images
JULY 19, 2024
BY SAM BLEWETT AND ALEX WARD
POLITICO UK
A fierce battle has played out behind the scenes in Milwaukee.
As the great and the good of the U.S. Republican Party gather in Wisconsin’s largest city for their pre-election jamboree, a host of familiar British faces are there too. And they’re all vying for the attention of Donald Trump.
First out of the traps was former PM Liz Truss, who arrived at the Republican National Conference (RNC) Monday.
Now ousted from the British parliament as well as from No.10 Downing Street, Truss is trying to reinvent herself as a populist right-winger on the international stage, making clear she’s backing Trump for the U.S. presidency. She tweeted a picture of herself with Trump’s new running mate, J. D. Vance, on Wednesday night, hailing the “true conservative” as exactly “what America needs.”
But Truss was beaten to a face-to-face meeting with Trump himself by her predecessor as British PM, Boris Johnson, who met with the presidential nominee in person Tuesday.
“Great to meet President Trump who is on top form after the shameful attempt on his life,” Johnson wrote on X, alongside a picture of the two blond-haired men, thumbs aloft. “We discussed Ukraine and I have no doubt that he will be strong and decisive in supporting that country and defending democracy.”
Privately, Johnson sees a potential role for himself as Britain’s “Trump whisperer” on European security.
The two leaders struck up a good rapport while Johnson was in No. 10 Downing Street, and the former PM believes he can help push Trump into a more pro-Ukraine position if he reclaims the U.S. presidency on November 5.
An ally of Johnson with knowledge of the meeting confirmed there was “friendly chit-chat” between the two men but that the “main issue of substance was Ukraine.”
Johnson, this individual said, did not only push Trump on maintaining American support for Ukraine — but actually argued the U.S. should be “doubling down” on its efforts, suggesting this would prove cost-effective in the long run by preventing an even bigger war in Europe.
“Certainly the president listened carefully to the arguments. It was constructive,” said the individual, who like others quoted in this article was granted anonymity so they could speak candidly.
A fierce battle has played out behind the scenes in Milwaukee.
As the great and the good of the U.S. Republican Party gather in Wisconsin’s largest city for their pre-election jamboree, a host of familiar British faces are there too. And they’re all vying for the attention of Donald Trump.
First out of the traps was former PM Liz Truss, who arrived at the Republican National Conference (RNC) Monday.
Now ousted from the British parliament as well as from No.10 Downing Street, Truss is trying to reinvent herself as a populist right-winger on the international stage, making clear she’s backing Trump for the U.S. presidency. She tweeted a picture of herself with Trump’s new running mate, J. D. Vance, on Wednesday night, hailing the “true conservative” as exactly “what America needs.”
But Truss was beaten to a face-to-face meeting with Trump himself by her predecessor as British PM, Boris Johnson, who met with the presidential nominee in person Tuesday.
“Great to meet President Trump who is on top form after the shameful attempt on his life,” Johnson wrote on X, alongside a picture of the two blond-haired men, thumbs aloft. “We discussed Ukraine and I have no doubt that he will be strong and decisive in supporting that country and defending democracy.”
Privately, Johnson sees a potential role for himself as Britain’s “Trump whisperer” on European security.
The two leaders struck up a good rapport while Johnson was in No. 10 Downing Street, and the former PM believes he can help push Trump into a more pro-Ukraine position if he reclaims the U.S. presidency on November 5.
An ally of Johnson with knowledge of the meeting confirmed there was “friendly chit-chat” between the two men but that the “main issue of substance was Ukraine.”
Johnson, this individual said, did not only push Trump on maintaining American support for Ukraine — but actually argued the U.S. should be “doubling down” on its efforts, suggesting this would prove cost-effective in the long run by preventing an even bigger war in Europe.
“Certainly the president listened carefully to the arguments. It was constructive,” said the individual, who like others quoted in this article was granted anonymity so they could speak candidly.
Privately, Boris Johnson sees a potential role for himself as Britain’s “Trump whisperer” on European security. | Dan Kitwood/Getty Images
Others in Europe aren’t holding out much hope, however — especially following Trump’s decision to name Vance as his running mate. The Ohio senator is an avowed isolationist, and once told former Trump adviser Steve Bannon: “I got to be honest with you, I don’t really care what happens to Ukraine one way or another.”
But there’s another threat to Johnson’s efforts to bend Trump’s ear on Ukraine. Aides say the former U.S. president is more likely to listen to another politician on the British right — one with a far more skeptical view of Kyiv.
Enter Farage
Veteran Brexiteer Nigel Farage arrived in Milwaukee only Wednesday evening, having been held up in Britain by his newly-acquired duties as an elected MP. (By contrast, Johnson quit the U.K. parliament last year, while Truss lost her seat in the July 4 election.)
But Farage’s allies say they fully expect Trump to find time to meet him this week.
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“I imagine he will see him,” said one Farage aide, also granted permission to speak anonymously.
Farage has made great play of his relationship with Trump, frequently posing for pictures with the U.S. president.
A second ally claimed Farage had actually adopted an “unofficial” backchannel with Trump in 2016 after he entered the White House, adding: “I can’t imagine anything changing” if Trump wins again.
The feeling is mutual, according to two people close to Trump’s campaign with knowledge of international affairs.
“If Trump wants to talk about anything U.K., he talks [to] Nigel,” said one, highlighting the two men’s “cordial, very respectful relationship.”
Starmer’s dilemma
The presence of several of the British right’s biggest figures in Wisconsin poses an interesting dilemma for Britain’s new left-of-center prime minister, Keir Starmer.
Allied to the U.S. Democrats, Starmer’s Labour government was never likely to warm to Trump.
But could a right-wing shadow diplomat — a “Trump whisperer” — help Starmer’s government influence the would-be-president?
Johnson believes he’s effectively already playing the role, and would be interested in working with the Labour government if Starmer was so inclined.
Others in Europe aren’t holding out much hope, however — especially following Trump’s decision to name Vance as his running mate. The Ohio senator is an avowed isolationist, and once told former Trump adviser Steve Bannon: “I got to be honest with you, I don’t really care what happens to Ukraine one way or another.”
But there’s another threat to Johnson’s efforts to bend Trump’s ear on Ukraine. Aides say the former U.S. president is more likely to listen to another politician on the British right — one with a far more skeptical view of Kyiv.
Enter Farage
Veteran Brexiteer Nigel Farage arrived in Milwaukee only Wednesday evening, having been held up in Britain by his newly-acquired duties as an elected MP. (By contrast, Johnson quit the U.K. parliament last year, while Truss lost her seat in the July 4 election.)
But Farage’s allies say they fully expect Trump to find time to meet him this week.
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“I imagine he will see him,” said one Farage aide, also granted permission to speak anonymously.
Farage has made great play of his relationship with Trump, frequently posing for pictures with the U.S. president.
A second ally claimed Farage had actually adopted an “unofficial” backchannel with Trump in 2016 after he entered the White House, adding: “I can’t imagine anything changing” if Trump wins again.
The feeling is mutual, according to two people close to Trump’s campaign with knowledge of international affairs.
“If Trump wants to talk about anything U.K., he talks [to] Nigel,” said one, highlighting the two men’s “cordial, very respectful relationship.”
Starmer’s dilemma
The presence of several of the British right’s biggest figures in Wisconsin poses an interesting dilemma for Britain’s new left-of-center prime minister, Keir Starmer.
Allied to the U.S. Democrats, Starmer’s Labour government was never likely to warm to Trump.
But could a right-wing shadow diplomat — a “Trump whisperer” — help Starmer’s government influence the would-be-president?
Johnson believes he’s effectively already playing the role, and would be interested in working with the Labour government if Starmer was so inclined.
could a right-wing shadow diplomat — a “Trump whisperer” — help Starmer’s government influence the would-be-president? | Dan Kitwood/Getty Images
The Conservative ally quoted above said: “If the Labour government wanted to work with him on it, I’m sure he would be pro doing it.”
The same individual insisted that Trump’s decision to meet with Johnson just days after the attempt on his life shows the Republican nominee “will take the time to listen to him.” They said Johnson is already playing the role of Trump whisperer “by default.”
But the person close to the Trump campaign was less flattering about Johnson’s efforts.
“Boris is trying to seek relevancy, and Trump’s the most relevant person right now,” they said bluntly.
“The greatest challenge Boris has is the Ukraine position. [It’s] completely out of sorts with President Trump’s … He’s not a Trump whisperer.”
Who is the Trump whisperer?
A second person close to the Trump campaign confirmed it is Farage who remains Trump’s go-to guy for U.K. issues.
But the Johnson-backing Conservative shot back: “[Johnson] was there with a reason for being there that was worthwhile. He wasn’t just there to go to the convention because he felt like it.
“The fact that Boris met Trump for an hour speaks for itself. Nigel’s views on Ukraine are in the public domain from the election.”
This was a reference to Farage’s most difficult moment during the recent U.K. election campaign, in which he claimed the eastward expansion of NATO and the EU “provoked this war” in Ukraine. The comments sparked a days-long row in Britain, where support for Ukraine remains overwhelmingly strong.
Starmer called the remarks “disgraceful,” Johnson called Farage “morally repugnant” and the opposition Liberal Democrats accused him of being “an apologist for Putin.”
Farage staunchly denied these charges. But his remarks show the Reform UK leader is more willing than the rest of the U.K. political mainstream to hear out the Russian argument — making the chances of Labour ever working with him close to zero.
In contrast, some foreign policy experts believe Labour might actively welcome the shadow diplomacy of Johnson.
Karin von Hippel, director-general of the Royal United Services Institute security think tank, said Johnson had the potential to play an important role in trying to sway Trump to remain hawkish on Russia.
“It’s hard to know what convinces Trump to do anything, but I think it’s good he’s trying,” said von Hippel, who was also formerly a senior official in the U.S. State Department.
A brush with death
“Actually the Labour Party should — and probably does — appreciate what [Johnson] is doing. Ukraine really matters, and Boris really does care about that issue.”
Von Hippel added that suggestions Labour would struggle to deal with a second Trump White House, given the ideological differences in outlook, were a “misapprehension.”
“Both sides know that the relationship is too important — it’s too deep, it’s too long,” she said.
Back in Milwaukee, both Truss and Farage were keen to pay fealty to Trump. Appearing on the Reform leader’s GB News show, Truss said: “Unless we conservatives go and support Donald Trump and make it clear that we need him in the White House for the future, not just of America, for the future of the free world, we are in serious, serious trouble.”
For his part, Farage compared Trump’s recent close shave with an assassin’s bullet with his own brush with death in a serious plane crash in 2010, adding that he anticipated the former president would emerge a changed man. “If you’ve been through a near death experience within the last few days, it has to have an impact of some kind,” he said.
Regardless of how much influence Britain’s left or right end up wielding over Trump, there’s one person bound to be enjoying it all.
“I think Trump loves the fact that everyone’s coming to see him, whoever they are, whether it’s people who used to hate him in the Republican Party or whether it’s foreign leaders,” von Hippel said. “It makes him feel presidential — that’s why everyone kisses the ring.”
The Conservative ally quoted above said: “If the Labour government wanted to work with him on it, I’m sure he would be pro doing it.”
The same individual insisted that Trump’s decision to meet with Johnson just days after the attempt on his life shows the Republican nominee “will take the time to listen to him.” They said Johnson is already playing the role of Trump whisperer “by default.”
But the person close to the Trump campaign was less flattering about Johnson’s efforts.
“Boris is trying to seek relevancy, and Trump’s the most relevant person right now,” they said bluntly.
“The greatest challenge Boris has is the Ukraine position. [It’s] completely out of sorts with President Trump’s … He’s not a Trump whisperer.”
Who is the Trump whisperer?
A second person close to the Trump campaign confirmed it is Farage who remains Trump’s go-to guy for U.K. issues.
But the Johnson-backing Conservative shot back: “[Johnson] was there with a reason for being there that was worthwhile. He wasn’t just there to go to the convention because he felt like it.
“The fact that Boris met Trump for an hour speaks for itself. Nigel’s views on Ukraine are in the public domain from the election.”
This was a reference to Farage’s most difficult moment during the recent U.K. election campaign, in which he claimed the eastward expansion of NATO and the EU “provoked this war” in Ukraine. The comments sparked a days-long row in Britain, where support for Ukraine remains overwhelmingly strong.
Starmer called the remarks “disgraceful,” Johnson called Farage “morally repugnant” and the opposition Liberal Democrats accused him of being “an apologist for Putin.”
Farage staunchly denied these charges. But his remarks show the Reform UK leader is more willing than the rest of the U.K. political mainstream to hear out the Russian argument — making the chances of Labour ever working with him close to zero.
In contrast, some foreign policy experts believe Labour might actively welcome the shadow diplomacy of Johnson.
Karin von Hippel, director-general of the Royal United Services Institute security think tank, said Johnson had the potential to play an important role in trying to sway Trump to remain hawkish on Russia.
“It’s hard to know what convinces Trump to do anything, but I think it’s good he’s trying,” said von Hippel, who was also formerly a senior official in the U.S. State Department.
A brush with death
“Actually the Labour Party should — and probably does — appreciate what [Johnson] is doing. Ukraine really matters, and Boris really does care about that issue.”
Von Hippel added that suggestions Labour would struggle to deal with a second Trump White House, given the ideological differences in outlook, were a “misapprehension.”
“Both sides know that the relationship is too important — it’s too deep, it’s too long,” she said.
Back in Milwaukee, both Truss and Farage were keen to pay fealty to Trump. Appearing on the Reform leader’s GB News show, Truss said: “Unless we conservatives go and support Donald Trump and make it clear that we need him in the White House for the future, not just of America, for the future of the free world, we are in serious, serious trouble.”
For his part, Farage compared Trump’s recent close shave with an assassin’s bullet with his own brush with death in a serious plane crash in 2010, adding that he anticipated the former president would emerge a changed man. “If you’ve been through a near death experience within the last few days, it has to have an impact of some kind,” he said.
Regardless of how much influence Britain’s left or right end up wielding over Trump, there’s one person bound to be enjoying it all.
“I think Trump loves the fact that everyone’s coming to see him, whoever they are, whether it’s people who used to hate him in the Republican Party or whether it’s foreign leaders,” von Hippel said. “It makes him feel presidential — that’s why everyone kisses the ring.”
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