Donald Trump has insisted he did not attack Theresa May in his bombshell newspaper interview, branding it “fake news”. 
 
 Speaking alongside her at Chequers, the president said: “I didn’t criticise the prime minister, I have a lot of respect for the prime minister.” 
 
 Mr Trump also stepped back from his warning, in The Sun, that her Brexit plan would “kill” any trade deal – as long as there were no “restrictions”. 
 
 Ms May herself ducked a question about the president’s savaging of her Brexit strategy, while insisting: “This does deliver on the vote of the British people.” 
 
 However, to her discomfort, Mr Trump confirmed he had given her a “suggestion” on how to pursue Brexit – while rejecting the word “advice” – saying: “I think she found it too brutal.” 
 
 In a comment certain to be leapt on by Brexiteer MPs, he added: “I can fully understand why she thought it was a little bit tough” – even suggesting she might yet adopt it, if her own plan failed. 
 
 Donald Trump UK visit: in pictures 100 show all Donald Trump UK visit: in pictures 1/100 Britain's Prime Minister Theresa May and US President Donald Trump walk to a joint news conference holding hands Reuters 2/100 People march holding anti-Trump signs in Edinburgh while the US. President is visiting Trump Turnberry Luxury Collection Resort in Scotland Getty 3/100 President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump depart from Glasgow Prestwick Airport REUTERS 4/100 Trump on the back Getty 5/100 President Donald Trump waves whilst playing a round of golf at Trump Turnberry Luxury Collection Resort Getty Images 6/100 Donut TrumpScotland United Against Trump demonstrators gather at the Scottish Parliament in Edinburgh PA 7/100 Donald Trump plays a round of golf at Trump Turnberry Getty Images 8/100 People march holding anti-Trump signs Getty 9/100 PA 10/100 Trump waves form golf course Getty 11/100 Getty Images 12/100 Trump goes for a stroll Getty 13/100 Trump blimpA giant balloon depicting US President Donald Trump as an orange baby is launched as protesters gather in the Meadows, after taking part in the Scotland United Against Trump march through the streets of Edinburgh AFP/Getty 14/100 U.S. President Donald Trump drives his golf buggy REUTERS 15/100 A Greenpeace protester flying a microlight passes over Donald Trump's resort in Turnberry PA 16/100 President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump look at the media during their arrival on Air Force One at Glasgow Prestwick Airport in Scotland AP 17/100 Scotland United Against Trump demonstrators gather at the Scottish Parliament in Edinburgh PA 18/100 Security and police teams surround the perimeter of Trmup's golf course Getty 19/100 Scotland United Against Trump demonstrators PA 20/100 Teams of police officers patrol the beach outside near Trump Turnberry Luxury Collection Resort Getty 21/100 Pro-Trump supporters demonstrate outside the US Embassy in support of President Donald Trump's visit to the UK, in London EPA 22/100 Scottish Labour leader, Richard Leonard speaks to crowd PA 23/100 Ex-pat AFP/Getty 24/100 Demonstrators hold placards near the golf resort owned by US President REUTERS 25/100 Protesters wear orange face makeup Getty 26/100 Pro-Trump supporters demonstrate outside the US Embassy in London EPA 27/100 Trump protestors on the beach near to the Trump Turnberry resort PA 28/100 Protestors against the UK visit of US President Donald Trump near Aberdeen AFP/Getty 29/100 A mounted police officer patrols anti-Trump rally Getty 30/100 Trump supporter Bill McGibbon outside his cottage near to the Trump Turnberry resort in South Ayrshire PA 31/100 AFP/Getty Images 32/100 Queen Elizabeth II and President Donald Trump inspect an honour guard at Windsor Castle Getty Images 33/100 PA 34/100 Queen Elizabeth II stands with US President Donald Trump and his wife, Melania, during their visit to Windsor Castle PA 35/100 Donald Trump walks ahead of Queen Elizabeth AP 36/100 Getty Images 37/100 Donald and Melania Trump listen to the Coldstream Guards, play the US national anthem next to the Queen REUTERS 38/100 Protesters in Windor Getty Images 39/100 US President Donald Trump and first lady Melanie Trump are greeted by Queen Elizabeth II, during an arrival ceremony with the Guard of Honour at Windsor AP 40/100 Queen Elizabeth II waits to greet US President Donald Trump as he arrives by helicopter AFP/Getty 41/100 Ed Miliband joins the march Angela Christofilou 42/100 PM and President Getty 43/100 Protestors hold banners AP 44/100 UK meets US AFP/Getty 45/100 Protests at Trump visit Angela Christofilou 46/100 Trump and May Getty 47/100 Protests at Trump visit Will Gore 48/100 Protesters for the 'Stop Trump' Women's March gather in London AP 49/100 US President Donald Trump and Britain's Prime Minister Theresa May hold a joint press conference AFP/Getty 50/100 Donald Trump and Theresa May attend a press conference AFP/Getty 51/100 Demonstrators protest against the visit of U.S. President Donald Trump REUTERS 52/100 Prime Minister Theresa May walks with US President Donald Trump at Chequers Getty 53/100 Donald Trump UK protest Angela Christofilou 54/100 First Lady, Melania Trump, tries her hand at bowls Getty 55/100 US President and British Prime Minister at Chequers Reuters 56/100 Demonstrator in Black Lives matter T-shirt Angela Christofilou 57/100 Theresa May and Donald Trump enter Chequers REUTERS 58/100 Protestors wearing Donald Trump and Theresa May paper mache heads join the protest in Butler's Cross PA 59/100 First Lady, Melania Trump, looks on as Philip May tries bowls Getty Images 60/100 American Psycho poster Angela Christofilou 61/100 First Lady, Melania Trump, reacts as she tries her hand at bowls Getty 62/100 Donald Trump protest in London Angela Christofilou 63/100 Theresa May, Donald Trump with US ambassador to the United Kingdom Woody Johnson and British Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt at the start of the bilateral meeting at Chequers EPA 64/100 Melania Trump and Philip May wave flags REUTERS 65/100 Donald Trump is greeted by Theresa May AP 66/100 The US First Lady Melania Trump, helps children to make poppies PA 67/100 The handshake between Donald Trump and Theresa May AP 68/100 Demonstrators raise a six meter high effigy of Donald Trump Getty 69/100 Donald Trump stands alongside Theresa May after he arrived for talks at Chequers, her country residence in Buckinghamshire PA 70/100 A six-meter high cartoon baby blimp of Donald Trump hovers next to the statue of former Prime Minister Winston Churchill AP 71/100 First Lady, Melania Trump, accompanied by Philip May, meets schoolchildren and British Army veterans Getty 72/100 A lookalike of former British Foreign Minister Boris Johnson stands next to a person in a cage wearing a money suit and a mask of Donald Trump AP 73/100 Donald Trump gestures as he prepares to board Marine One to depart the US ambassador's residence Winfield House AFP/Getty 74/100 Demonstrators stand in front of a blimp portraying US. President Donald Trump, in Parliament Square REUTERS 75/100 The Prime Minister hosts President Trump and First Lady Melania at a black tie dinner with business leaders at Blenheim Palace AFP/Getty 76/100 The Prime Minister, accompanied by husband Philip, arrive with President Trump and First Lady Melania to a black tie dinner with business leaders at Blenheim Palace AP 77/100 The Prime Minister and President Trump are seen holding hands, not for the first time EPA 78/100 President Donald Trump pumps his fist during his arrival, with first lady Melania Trump, in Regent's Park AP 79/100 Demonstrators bang pots and pans as they gather at the US ambassador residence in Regent's Park PA 80/100 US President Donald Trump and US First Lady Melania Trump walk in the grounds of the US ambassador's residence Winfield House AFP/Getty 81/100 A demonstrator protests next to the specially erected fence surrounding the US ambassador's residence REUTERS 82/100 A motorcade arrives at Winfield House in London, the residence of American Ambassador to the to the Court of St James's PA 83/100 A presidential helicopter lands in the grounds of the US ambassador residence in Regent's Park PA 84/100 Protesters chant and wave placards during a demonstration outside Winfield House Getty 85/100 he Marine One helicopter carrying US President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump flies past the BT Tower Getty 86/100 Protesters chant and wave placards during a demonstration outside Winfield House Getty 87/100 US President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump disembark from Air Force One after arriving in the UK Reuters 88/100 US First Lady Melania Trump and US President Donald Trump are greeted by US Ambassador to the United Kingdom Woody Johnson AFP 89/100 US President Trump and Melania Trump leaving Stansted Airport PA 90/100 An honour guard stands to receive US President Donald Trump and US First Lady Melania Trump AFP/Getty 91/100 Donald and Melania Getty 92/100 US President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump greet Secretary of State for International Trade Liam Fox on their arrival Getty 93/100 US Marine Corps Osprey aircraft taking off PA 94/100 Us President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump disembark from Air Force One AP 95/100 US President Trump and Melania Trump arrive at Stansted PA 96/100 A giant 'Human Rights Nightmare' banner is unfurled by Amnesty International activists across the river Thames on Vauxhall Bridge to protest against the visit of US President Donald Trump AP 97/100 US President Donald Trump waves as he arrives in the UK PA 98/100 An armed police officier waits on the tarmac at Stansted Airport AFP/Getty 99/100 US President Donald Trump and Melania Trump arrive at Stansted Airport PA 100/100 Armed police await the arrival of US President Donald Trump at Stansted Airport REUTERS 1/100 Britain's Prime Minister Theresa May and US President Donald Trump walk to a joint news conference holding hands Reuters 2/100 People march holding anti-Trump signs in Edinburgh while the US. President is visiting Trump Turnberry Luxury Collection Resort in Scotland Getty 3/100 President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump depart from Glasgow Prestwick Airport REUTERS 4/100 Trump on the back Getty 5/100 President Donald Trump waves whilst playing a round of golf at Trump Turnberry Luxury Collection Resort Getty Images 6/100 Donut TrumpScotland United Against Trump demonstrators gather at the Scottish Parliament in Edinburgh PA 7/100 Donald Trump plays a round of golf at Trump Turnberry Getty Images 8/100 People march holding anti-Trump signs Getty 9/100 PA 10/100 Trump waves form golf course Getty 11/100 Getty Images 12/100 Trump goes for a stroll Getty 13/100 Trump blimpA giant balloon depicting US President Donald Trump as an orange baby is launched as protesters gather in the Meadows, after taking part in the Scotland United Against Trump march through the streets of Edinburgh AFP/Getty 14/100 U.S. President Donald Trump drives his golf buggy REUTERS 15/100 A Greenpeace protester flying a microlight passes over Donald Trump's resort in Turnberry PA 16/100 President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump look at the media during their arrival on Air Force One at Glasgow Prestwick Airport in Scotland AP 17/100 Scotland United Against Trump demonstrators gather at the Scottish Parliament in Edinburgh PA 18/100 Security and police teams surround the perimeter of Trmup's golf course Getty 19/100 Scotland United Against Trump demonstrators PA 20/100 Teams of police officers patrol the beach outside near Trump Turnberry Luxury Collection Resort Getty 21/100 Pro-Trump supporters demonstrate outside the US Embassy in support of President Donald Trump's visit to the UK, in London EPA 22/100 Scottish Labour leader, Richard Leonard speaks to crowd PA 23/100 Ex-pat AFP/Getty 24/100 Demonstrators hold placards near the golf resort owned by US President REUTERS 25/100 Protesters wear orange face makeup Getty 26/100 Pro-Trump supporters demonstrate outside the US Embassy in London EPA 27/100 Trump protestors on the beach near to the Trump Turnberry resort PA 28/100 Protestors against the UK visit of US President Donald Trump near Aberdeen AFP/Getty 29/100 A mounted police officer patrols anti-Trump rally Getty 30/100 Trump supporter Bill McGibbon outside his cottage near to the Trump Turnberry resort in South Ayrshire PA 31/100 AFP/Getty Images 32/100 Queen Elizabeth II and President Donald Trump inspect an honour guard at Windsor Castle Getty Images 33/100 PA 34/100 Queen Elizabeth II stands with US President Donald Trump and his wife, Melania, during their visit to Windsor Castle PA 35/100 Donald Trump walks ahead of Queen Elizabeth AP 36/100 Getty Images 37/100 Donald and Melania Trump listen to the Coldstream Guards, play the US national anthem next to the Queen REUTERS 38/100 Protesters in Windor Getty Images 39/100 US President Donald Trump and first lady Melanie Trump are greeted by Queen Elizabeth II, during an arrival ceremony with the Guard of Honour at Windsor AP 40/100 Queen Elizabeth II waits to greet US President Donald Trump as he arrives by helicopter AFP/Getty 41/100 Ed Miliband joins the march Angela Christofilou 42/100 PM and President Getty 43/100 Protestors hold banners AP 44/100 UK meets US AFP/Getty 45/100 Protests at Trump visit Angela Christofilou 46/100 Trump and May Getty 47/100 Protests at Trump visit Will Gore 48/100 Protesters for the 'Stop Trump' Women's March gather in London AP 49/100 US President Donald Trump and Britain's Prime Minister Theresa May hold a joint press conference AFP/Getty 50/100 Donald Trump and Theresa May attend a press conference AFP/Getty 51/100 Demonstrators protest against the visit of U.S. President Donald Trump REUTERS 52/100 Prime Minister Theresa May walks with US President Donald Trump at Chequers Getty 53/100 Donald Trump UK protest Angela Christofilou 54/100 First Lady, Melania Trump, tries her hand at bowls Getty 55/100 US President and British Prime Minister at Chequers Reuters 56/100 Demonstrator in Black Lives matter T-shirt Angela Christofilou 57/100 Theresa May and Donald Trump enter Chequers REUTERS 58/100 Protestors wearing Donald Trump and Theresa May paper mache heads join the protest in Butler's Cross PA 59/100 First Lady, Melania Trump, looks on as Philip May tries bowls Getty Images 60/100 American Psycho poster Angela Christofilou 61/100 First Lady, Melania Trump, reacts as she tries her hand at bowls Getty 62/100 Donald Trump protest in London Angela Christofilou 63/100 Theresa May, Donald Trump with US ambassador to the United Kingdom Woody Johnson and British Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt at the start of the bilateral meeting at Chequers EPA 64/100 Melania Trump and Philip May wave flags REUTERS 65/100 Donald Trump is greeted by Theresa May AP 66/100 The US First Lady Melania Trump, helps children to make poppies PA 67/100 The handshake between Donald Trump and Theresa May AP 68/100 Demonstrators raise a six meter high effigy of Donald Trump Getty 69/100 Donald Trump stands alongside Theresa May after he arrived for talks at Chequers, her country residence in Buckinghamshire PA 70/100 A six-meter high cartoon baby blimp of Donald Trump hovers next to the statue of former Prime Minister Winston Churchill AP 71/100 First Lady, Melania Trump, accompanied by Philip May, meets schoolchildren and British Army veterans Getty 72/100 A lookalike of former British Foreign Minister Boris Johnson stands next to a person in a cage wearing a money suit and a mask of Donald Trump AP 73/100 Donald Trump gestures as he prepares to board Marine One to depart the US ambassador's residence Winfield House AFP/Getty 74/100 Demonstrators stand in front of a blimp portraying US. President Donald Trump, in Parliament Square REUTERS 75/100 The Prime Minister hosts President Trump and First Lady Melania at a black tie dinner with business leaders at Blenheim Palace AFP/Getty 76/100 The Prime Minister, accompanied by husband Philip, arrive with President Trump and First Lady Melania to a black tie dinner with business leaders at Blenheim Palace AP 77/100 The Prime Minister and President Trump are seen holding hands, not for the first time EPA 78/100 President Donald Trump pumps his fist during his arrival, with first lady Melania Trump, in Regent's Park AP 79/100 Demonstrators bang pots and pans as they gather at the US ambassador residence in Regent's Park PA 80/100 US President Donald Trump and US First Lady Melania Trump walk in the grounds of the US ambassador's residence Winfield House AFP/Getty 81/100 A demonstrator protests next to the specially erected fence surrounding the US ambassador's residence REUTERS 82/100 A motorcade arrives at Winfield House in London, the residence of American Ambassador to the to the Court of St James's PA 83/100 A presidential helicopter lands in the grounds of the US ambassador residence in Regent's Park PA 84/100 Protesters chant and wave placards during a demonstration outside Winfield House Getty 85/100 he Marine One helicopter carrying US President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump flies past the BT Tower Getty 86/100 Protesters chant and wave placards during a demonstration outside Winfield House Getty 87/100 US President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump disembark from Air Force One after arriving in the UK Reuters 88/100 US First Lady Melania Trump and US President Donald Trump are greeted by US Ambassador to the United Kingdom Woody Johnson AFP 89/100 US President Trump and Melania Trump leaving Stansted Airport PA 90/100 An honour guard stands to receive US President Donald Trump and US First Lady Melania Trump AFP/Getty 91/100 Donald and Melania Getty 92/100 US President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump greet Secretary of State for International Trade Liam Fox on their arrival Getty 93/100 US Marine Corps Osprey aircraft taking off PA 94/100 Us President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump disembark from Air Force One AP 95/100 US President Trump and Melania Trump arrive at Stansted PA 96/100 A giant 'Human Rights Nightmare' banner is unfurled by Amnesty International activists across the river Thames on Vauxhall Bridge to protest against the visit of US President Donald Trump AP 97/100 US President Donald Trump waves as he arrives in the UK PA 98/100 An armed police officier waits on the tarmac at Stansted Airport AFP/Getty 99/100 US President Donald Trump and Melania Trump arrive at Stansted Airport PA 100/100 Armed police await the arrival of US President Donald Trump at Stansted Airport REUTERS 
 
 Frustratingly, Mr Trump refused to reveal his “suggestion”, but denied it was to collapse the talks if necessary, saying: “You can’t walk away because, if she walks away, that means she’s stuck.” 
 
 Bizarrely, he also claimed he had visited Britain the day before the 2016 referendum and correctly predicted the Leave vote – even though he arrived a day later. 
 
 He then claimed he had told the prime minister: “I want to apologise," – which had prompting her to reply: “Don't worry, it's only the press.”. Mr Trump added: “I thought that was very professional.” 
 
 Overnight, Mr Trump had tossed a hand grenade into Ms May’s hopes for her Brexit white paper, warning it would “probably kill” hopes of a US-UK trade deal, by keeping Britain tied to the EU. 
 
 And he added: “I would have done it much differently. I actually told Theresa May how to do it but she didn’t agree, she didn’t listen to me. 
 
 “She should negotiate the best way she knows how. But it is too bad what is going on.” 
 
 But, at the joint press conference, he rowed back, saying: “Whatever you do is okay with us, just make sure we can trade together, that's all that matters.” 
 
 He added: “The only thing I ask of Theresa is that we make sure we can trade and we don't have any restrictions because we want to trade with the UK and the UK wants to trade with us. 
 
 “If they go in a slightly different route - and I know they do want independence, it's going to be independence, it's just your definition - if they are going to go in a certain route I just said that I hope you are going to be able to trade with the United States. 
 
 “I read reports where that won't be possible, but I believe after speaking with the Prime Minister's people and representatives and trade experts it will absolutely be possible.” 
 
 
 
 The Independent has launched its #FinalSay campaign to demand that voters are given a voice on the final Brexit deal. 
 
 
 
 Sign our petition here ||||| President Donald Trump said not to expect “a Perry Mason” moment when he again confronts Vladimir Putin on Monday over Russia’s meddling in the 2016 election, but promised to tackle the issue head-on. 
 
 “I will absolutely, firmly ask the question” about interference in the U.S. election, Trump said at a news conference on Friday with U.K. Prime Minister Theresa May at Chequers, her country estate. But he predicted Putin wouldn’t confess. 
 
 “I don’t think you’ll have any ‘Gee, I did it, I did it, you got me,”’ Trump said. Referring to a TV courtroom drama aired in the 1950s and 1960s, he added, “There won’t be a Perry Mason here, I don’t think, but you never know what happens, right?” 
 
 Trump said he also will discuss the civil war in Syria, Russia’s incursions into Ukraine and nuclear proliferation when he meets with Putin in Helsinki. 
 
 “We’ve been modernizing and fixing and buying” the U.S. nuclear arsenal, Trump said. “It’s just a devastating technology. And they likewise are doing a lot. It’s a very, very bad policy. We have no choice. We are massively big and they are very big.” 
 
 Ahead of the Finland meeting, Trump upended a NATO summit in Brussels this week by demanding that America’s closest allies more rapidly increase their defense spending. He insinuated that the U.S. might withdraw from the alliance otherwise. 
 
 His treatment of U.S. allies has drawn broad criticism from many lawmakers in both parties. Senator John McCain, an Arizona Republican, called Trump’s NATO remarks “misstatements and bluster” and “the words of one man.” 
 
 He said that in Helsinki, Trump should “reverse his disturbing tendency to show America’s adversaries the deference and esteem that should be reserved for our closest allies.” ||||| Media playback is unsupported on your device Media caption Prime Minister Theresa May and US President Donald Trump hold a joint press conference at Chequers 
 
 A US-UK trade deal "will absolutely be possible", Donald Trump has said, hours after he told The Sun Theresa May's Brexit plan could kill an agreement. 
 
 Speaking after talks at Chequers, Mr Trump said the US-UK relationship is "the highest level of special", while Mrs May said they had discussed plans for an "ambitious" trade agreement. 
 
 Mr Trump and his wife, Melania, later had tea with the Queen at Windsor. 
 
 Thousands of people have protested in London against Mr Trump's UK visit. 
 
 A large balloon, portraying the president as a baby, has been floated in Parliament Square as part of the demonstrations. Other protests are taking place across the UK on Friday and Saturday. 
 
 The Queen greeted Mr Trump and the first lady as their motorcade arrived at Windsor Castle. The band of the Coldstream Guards played the Star-Spangled Banner and she invited the president to inspect the guard of honour. 
 
 Their meeting lasted nearly an hour and was the final engagement in Mr Trump's two-day working visit to the UK. 
 
 The Trumps took off from Windsor in a presidential helicopter before boarding Air Force One, which flew them to Ayrshire and a weekend stay at his Turnberry golf resort. 
 
 They arrived at Prestwick Airport at 20:22 BST. 
 
 Shortly after their arrival at the resort, a protester in a microlight aircraft flew over it, unfurling a banner saying "well below par, Trump, #resist." 
 
 Media playback is unsupported on your device Media caption Moment President Trump meets the Queen 
 
 Image copyright Reuters Image caption An official photo was issued of the Queen, Donald and Melania Trump in the Grand Corridor of Windsor Castle 
 
 Mr Trump's first official visit to the UK as president took place in between the Nato summit in Brussels and a meeting on Monday in Helsinki with Russian leader Vladimir Putin. 
 
 The talks at Chequers came after the Sun published its wide-ranging interview with the president in which he was critical of the PM's Brexit plan. 
 
 But standing alongside Mrs May after the meeting at her Buckinghamshire country residence, Mr Trump praised her as an "incredible woman" and a "very tough negotiator" who was "doing a fantastic job", and said there could be a "great" trade deal between the US and UK. 
 
 He said: "I read reports where that won't be possible, but I believe after speaking with the prime minister's people and representatives and trade experts it will absolutely be possible". 
 
 Pots and pans on protest 
 
 Media playback is unsupported on your device Media caption Thousands at London demonstration 
 
 By Jennifer Scott, BBC News 
 
 Thousands of protesters, mainly women, have flooded the streets of central London in the first of the day's demonstrations against against Donald Trump. 
 
 The crowd is full of whistles, drums and the all important pots and pans that seem to have become a symbol of this movement. 
 
 Whilst the mood is jovial, their motivation is serious. Most of those I've talked to are here because of Mr Trump's immigration policies, especially after recent pictures from the Mexican border. 
 
 There are also countless signs on his attitude to women. 
 
 Image copyright Reuters Image caption Anti-Trump protesters are staging demonstrations in central London 
 
 At the news conference, Mr Trump said: "The relationship between our two nations is indispensable to the cause of liberty, justice, and peace." 
 
 He also told reporters: 
 
 He had apologised to Mrs May for the Sun's story - but she told him not to worry as "it's only the press" 
 
 He had not given Mrs May advice on how to deal with the EU but "did give her a suggestion... and I think she found it maybe too brutal" 
 
 Brexit was an "incredible opportunity" and "whatever" the UK did after it left the EU was "OK with me" 
 
 Mr Trump described Brexit as a "very tough situation... between the borders and the entries into the countries and all of the things", saying: "The only thing I ask is that she work it out so that we can have very even trade." 
 
 Media playback is unsupported on your device Media caption A giant blimp of Donald Trump has been launched in London 
 
 Mrs May said the US was "keen" to do a deal with the UK, adding: "We will do a trade deal with them and with others around the rest of the world." 
 
 She maintained the government's Brexit agreement - which has come under fire from supporters of a "hard Brexit" - "delivers" on the referendum vote. 
 
 Earlier, Mr Trump said he and Mrs May had spoken for an hour-and-a-half at the black-tie dinner at Blenheim Palace on Thursday, which he attended with his wife Melania. 
 
 "I think we probably never developed a better relationship than last night," he said. 
 
 Media playback is unsupported on your device Media caption Trump: We've never had a better relationship 
 
 Mr Trump arrived at Chequers by helicopter after visiting the Royal Military Academy at Sandhurst, Berkshire. 
 
 Meanwhile, Mrs Trump played bowls with the PM's husband, Philip May, at the Royal Hospital Chelsea in London, where she met Chelsea Pensioners and local children and was shown how to make remembrance poppies. 
 
 Downing Street said Mrs May had presented the US president with a gift of an illustrated ancestral chart of his Scottish heritage through his mother, and his wife with a bespoke perfume called the First Lady in a custom bottle. 
 
 Image copyright Getty Images Image caption The Trumps flew to Prestwick Airport after their meeting with the Queen 
 
 In his Sun interview, Mr Trump also said former Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson - who disagrees with the PM on Brexit and resigned this week - would make a "great prime minister", adding: "I think he's got what it takes." 
 
 At the news conference, Mr Trump said he had been responding to the Sun's question about Mr Johnson as a possible prime minister, adding: "He has been very nice to me. He's been saying very good things about me as president." ||||| The Harvard University Archives is charged with collecting and preserving the historical records of the University. Much of the information collected for centuries in paper form now resides on University websites. Beginning in February 2007, we began the first phase of our effort to collect this information by harvesting websites from degree-granting departments and committees of the Faculty of Arts and Sciences. The University Archives now harvests websites from across the University, anywhere from monthly to annually. The list of sites collected continues to grow, providing a fuller picture of the Harvard webspace. ||||| DONALD Trump today accuses the PM of wrecking Brexit — and warns she may have killed off any chance of a vital US trade deal. 
 
 The US President delivers his incendiary verdict on her negotiating strategy in a world exclusive interview with The Sun. 
 
 In a world exclusive interview with The Sun, Donald Trump said Theresa May had ignored his advice by opting for a soft Brexit strategy 
 
 In an extraordinary intervention timed to coincide with his UK visit, Mr Trump said Theresa May ignored his advice by opting for a soft Brexit strategy. 
 
 And he warned her any attempts to maintain close ties with the EU would make a lucrative US trade deal very unlikely. 
 
 Mr Trump said: “If they do a deal like that, we would be dealing with the European Union instead of dealing with the UK, so it will probably kill the deal.” 
 
 Reuters 22 Donald Trump said Theresa May's new soft Brexit blueprint would 'kill' any future trade deal with the United States 
 
 His comments, damaging to the Prime Minister, come as he delivers his most brutally honest verdict yet on Britain in which he also: 
 
 Mr Trump’s remarks come as he prepares to meet the PM for a working lunch at Chequers. 
 
 He will then board a helicopter for Windsor Castle to meet the Queen before flying up to Scotland for a private two-day visit. 
 
 Thousands of people are expected to take part in a series of protests during his stay in the UK. 
 
 I told May how to do Brexit but she didn't listen to me 
 
 Donald Trump with The Sun's Political Editor Tom Newton Dunn. The Sun was the only British media outlet Trump spoke to before his arrival in the UK for his first visit as President 
 
 THERESA May’s new soft Brexit blueprint would “kill” any future trade deal with the United States, Donald Trump warns today. 
 
 Mounting an extraordinary attack on the PM’s exit negotiation, the President also reveals she has ignored his advice on how to toughen up the troubled talks. 
 
 Instead he believes Mrs May has gone “the opposite way”, and he thinks the results have been “very unfortunate”. 
 
 His fiercest criticism came over the centrepiece of the PM’s new Brexit plan — which was unveiled in full yesterday. 
 
 It would stick to a common ­rulebook with Brussels on goods and agricultural produce in a bid to keep customs borders open with the EU. 
 
 But Mr Trump told The Sun: “If they do a deal like that, we would be dealing with the European Union instead of dealing with the UK, so it will probably kill the deal. 
 
 US President Donald Trump talks candidly to The Sun about the British Prime Minister Theresa May and Brexit 
 
 Theresa May greets President Donald Trump at Blenheim Palace 
 
 “If they do that, then their trade deal with the US will probably not be made.” 
 
 Mr Trump made the bombshell intervention during a world exclusive interview with The Sun — the only British media outlet he spoke to before his arrival in the UK for his first visit as President. 
 
 US President Donald Trump talks candidly to The Sun about UK / US deals 
 
 It will pour nitroglycerine on the already raging Tory Brexiteer revolt against the PM. 
 
 And in more remarks that will set off alarm bells in No10, Mr Trump also said Mrs May’s nemesis Boris Johnson — who resigned over the soft Brexit blueprint on ­Monday — would “make a great Prime Minister”. 
 
 Reuters 22 Theresa May and Donald Trump walk across the courtyard at Blenheim Palace, where they attended a dinner 
 
 A big US-UK trade deal, long promised by Mr Trump, is cherished by Leave campaigners as Brexit’s biggest prize. 
 
 But the President said Mrs May’s plan “will definitely affect trade with the United States, unfortunately in a negative way”. 
 
 He explained: “We have enough difficulty with the European Union. 
 
 “We are cracking down right now on the European Union because they have not treated the United States fairly on trading. 
 
 “No, if they do that I would say that that would probably end a major trade relationship with the United States.” 
 
 President Donald Trump and Melania Trump depart for dinner with PM Theresa May at Blenheim Palace 
 
 Questioned on Boris’s comments at a private dinner two weeks ago that Mr Trump “would go in bloody hard” if he was negotiating Brexit, the President swiftly replied: “He is right.” 
 
 He added: “I would have done it much differently. I actually told Theresa May how to do it but she didn’t agree, she didn’t listen to me. 
 
 “She wanted to go a different route. 
 
 “I would actually say that she probably went the opposite way. And that is fine. 
 
 “She should negotiate the best way she knows how. But it is too bad what is going on.” 
 
 US President Donald Trump talks candidly to The Sun about Trade 
 
 AFP or licensors 22 Theresa May rolled out the red carpet for President Trump and wife Melania during their first night in Britain 
 
 Asked if that meant he would be prepared to walk away from the negotiating table, Trump replied: “Oh, absolutely. I think what is going on is very unfortunate. Too long. 
 
 “You know, deals that take too long are never good ones. When a deal takes so long, they never work out very well.” 
 
 Mr Trump also went even further in questioning whether Mrs May’s new Brexit plan upholds the referendum result — which he claimed he predicted two years ago. He said: “The deal she is striking is a much ­different deal than the one the people voted on. 
 
 “It was not the deal that was in the referendum. I have just been hearing this over the last three days. I know they have had a lot of resignations. So a lot of people don’t like it.” 
 
 President Donald Trump and Melania Trump arrive at Blenheim Palace for dinner with Prime Minister Theresa May 
 
 Despite the withering criticism of Mrs May’s Brexit strategy, Trump insisted he still thinks she is “a very good person”. 
 
 He also denied claims that she bores him. 
 
 Asked about a report in The Washington Post that he thinks of Mrs May as “a bossy schoolteacher”, Mr Trump said: “No, no, no, no. I never said anything bad about her. 
 
 “That is fake news. I think she is a nice person. I get along with her very nicely. The Washington Post is totally fake. They are just a lobbyist for Amazon.” 
 
 Recalling a visit to one of his luxury golf resorts in Scotland two years ago, Mr Trump said: “I predicted Brexit. 
 
 Getty - Pool 22 Donald Trump and US First Lady Melania Trump were welcomed by Britain's Prime Minister Theresa May and her husband Philip May 
 
 “I was cutting a ribbon for the opening of Turnberry — you know they totally did a whole renovation, it is beautiful — the day before the Brexit vote. 
 
 “I said, ‘Brexit will happen’. The vote is going to go positive, because people don’t want to be faced with the horrible immigration problems that they are being faced with in other countries. 
 
 “You remember that Barack Obama said that there is no way it is going to happen, and the UK will get to the back of the line if it ever does, right? I said Brexit will happen, and I was right.” 
 
 At a press conference in Brussels yesterday at the end of a summit of Nato leaders, Mr Trump again cast doubt on whether the PM’s soft Brexit plan was true to the referendum result. 
 
 He said: “I don’t know if that’s what they voted for.” 
 
 Getty - Contributor 22 Donald Trump, unlike predecessor Barack Obama, predicted Brexit 
 
 Downing Street was left shell-shocked by the criticism. 
 
 Mrs May rushed out her own statement to hit back at the President’s claim. 
 
 The PM insisted: “We have come to an agreement at the proposal we’re putting to the European Union which absolutely delivers on the Brexit people voted for. 
 
 They voted for us to take back control of our money, our law and our borders and that’s exactly what we will do.” 
 
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 Johnson tipped as future PM 
 
 EPA 22 Donald Trump tipped former Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson as a future Prime Minister 
 
 US President Donald Trump talks candidly to The Sun about Boris Johnson 
 
 DONALD Trump praised Boris Johnson as a future Prime Minister. 
 
 The US President described the former Foreign Secretary as “a very talented guy”, adding: “I like him a lot.” 
 
 He said: “I have a lot of respect for Boris. He obviously likes me, and says very good things about me. 
 
 “I was very saddened to see he was leaving government and I hope he goes back in at some point. I think he is a great representative for your country.” 
 
 Asked if the ex-minister could be in No 10 one day, he replied: “Well I am not pitting one against the other. I am just saying I think he would be a great Prime Minister. I think he’s got what it takes.” 
 
 Novichok attack will not stop Trump meeting Putin BRITAIN’S fury over the Salisbury nerve agent attack will not stop Donald Trump from bonding with Vladimir Putin next week. The President flies from the UK to a summit with the Russian leader in Helsinki on Monday. Quizzed on whether the Novichok attack made him reconsider, he said: “I think getting along with China, getting along with Russia, is a good thing.” He suggested Mrs May’s plans for a soft Brexit was a hostile move towards the US because “the European Union is very bad to the United States on trade”. Theresa May has urged Mr Trump to tackle Mr Putin on Novichok and other international outrages, including cyber attacks. 
 
 Mayor Khan doesn't like me but I say to him: You've done terrible job on terror 
 
 DONALD Trump today claims Mayor of London Sadiq Khan is responsible for the terror attacks on the British capital. 
 
 The Labour heavyweight has “done a very bad job on terrorism” by allowing so many migrants to come to the city, the President controversially argues. 
 
 US President Donald Trump talks candidly to The Sun ​about London's Mayor Sadiq Khan 
 
 Dan Charity - The Sun 22 Donald Trump claimed Sadiq Khan is responsible for the terror attacks on the British capital 
 
 The incendiary remarks are the most vicious in the White House boss’s long-running feud with London’s first Muslim mayor. 
 
 It began more than two years ago during Trump’s US presidential election campaign when Mr Khan attacked his vow to temporarily ban all Muslims from entering America. 
 
 Deepening the duo’s bitter war of words again, Mr Trump told The Sun in an exclusive interview ahead of his arrival in Britain: “I think allowing millions and millions of people to come into Europe is very, very sad. 
 
 “I look at cities in Europe, and I can be specific if you’d like. You have a mayor who has done a terrible job in London. He has done a terrible job. 
 
 PA:Press Association 22 The Mayor of London Sadiq Khan has 'done a very bad job on terrorism', says Trump 
 
 “Take a look at the terrorism that is taking place. Look at what is going on in London. I think he has done a very bad job on terrorism. 
 
 “I think he has done a bad job on crime, if you look, all of the horrible things going on there, with all of the crime that is being brought in.” 
 
 London was hit by four terror attacks last year — including in Westminster, London Bridge, Parsons Green Tube station and Finsbury Park’s mosque. 
 
 Speaking to The Sun inside the US Embassy in Brussels, the US President also revealed he thinks Mr Khan has shown a lack of respect to America by attacking him personally. 
 
 PA:Press Association 22 The US President also revealed he thinks Mr Khan has shown a lack of respect to America by attacking him personally 
 
 Mr Trump added: “I think he has not been hospitable to a government that is very important. Now he might not like the current President, but I represent the United States. 
 
 “I also represent a lot of people in Europe because a lot of people from Europe are in the United States.” 
 
 Mr Trump also clashed with Mr Khan after last June’s van and knife rampage on London Bridge and Borough Market — mocking the mayor for his appeal to Londoners to stay calm. 
 
 The President tweeted: “At least 7 dead and 48 wounded in terror attack and Mayor of London says there is ‘no reason to be alarmed!’” 
 
 Getty - Contributor 22 Donald Trump clashed with Sadiq Khan after last June’s van and knife rampage on London Bridge and Borough Market 
 
 Mr Khan described the tweet as “ill-informed”. 
 
 A source close to Mr Khan last night pointed out that the Home Office is in charge of immigration policy for London and the whole country and not those in City Hall. 
 
 Meanwhile, a Tory MP faced calls to be suspended yesterday after being accused of Islamophobia over a picture he tweeted of Mr Khan. 
 
 Michael Fabricant posted an image with the London Mayor’s head on an inflatable pig that is being mounted by a second pig along with Mr Trump laughing. 
 
 Piers Morgan and Sadiq Khan get into furious row over crime stats in London as GMB host asks ‘Is my child going to be stabbed in the street?’ 
 
 The tweet is thought to be in response to Mr Khan’s decision to allow a 20ft “Trump Baby” blimp to be flown over London during the President’s visit. 
 
 Mr Fabricant deleted the image and claimed he did not see that it featured Mr Khan’s face, saying: “My fault was not checking it closer on my iPhone first.” 
 
 But Labour’s Luke Pollard said: “Tweeting racism is not a good look for a Conservative MP when there is a real problem with Islamophobia in the Tory party.” 
 
 Trump on London crimewave DONALD Trump says London is in the middle of a crimewave — and blasted Sadiq Khan for failing to tackle the problem. He said the mayor has “done a bad job on crime”. It follow suggestions by the President earlier this year that gangs in the capital were getting round our strict gun laws by stabbing people instead. Mr Trump said: “Yes that’s right — they don’t have guns, they have knives.” More than 50 Londoners have been killed with knives this year. Nine people have been shot. In 2017, there were at least 115 murder probes with 80 deaths the result of stabbings. 
 
 Blood on the walls 
 
 ONE British hospital is so bad that it has “blood all over the walls”, the President has claimed. 
 
 Recalling an article he read recently, Mr Trump said: “They had a story in one of the major New York newspapers recently about your hospital. You know about that story? I’m sure you’ve seen it. 
 
 AFP or licensors 22 Donald Trump claimed that one British hospital is so bad that it has 'blood all over the walls' 
 
 “What they say is, it is worse than any hospital they have ever seen in a war zone. 
 
 “It is right in the middle of London. I guess it used to be the ultimate and now there is, you know, there is blood all over the walls, all over the floors. 
 
 “It was a very major story and I have heard it from others, too, so I think it is very sad. Very sad.” 
 
 It is the second time the US leader has attacked the hospital, which he has not named. 
 
 It is believed to be the Royal London Hospital in Whitechapel, East London, where a record 702 stabbing victims were treated last year. 
 
 Trump dubbed it “a war zone” during a speech in May to the National Rifle Association about the spiralling danger posed by knife crime. 
 
 Leading Royal London trauma surgeon Dr Martin Griffiths later said he would be “happy to invite Mr Trump to my prestigious hospital”. 
 
 
 
 Migrants 'harm UK' 
 
 BRITAIN and the rest of Europe is “losing its culture” because of immigration, Donald Trump says. 
 
 The wave of migrants from the Middle East and Africa is permanently changing the continent for the worse, the 72 year-old president argued. 
 
 AP:Associated Press 22 Donald Trump says Britain and the rest of Europe is 'losing its culture' because of immigration 
 
 And he claimed the situation pains him personally as the son of two EU countries. 
 
 Mr Trump told The Sun: “I have great love for countries in Europe. 
 
 “Don’t forget, essentially I’m a product of the European Union, between Scotland and Germany. 
 
 “Right? My father Germany, my mother Scotland. 
 
 Reuters 22 Trump says the wave of migrants from the Middle East and Africa is permanently changing the continent 
 
 But in a controversial outburst, he added: “I think what has happened to Europe is a shame. 
 
 “Allowing the immigration to take place in Europe is a shame. 
 
 “I think it changed the fabric of Europe and, unless you act very quickly, it’s never going to be what it was and I don’t mean that in a positive way. 
 
 “So I think allowing millions and millions of people to come into Europe is very, very sad. 
 
 “I think you are losing your culture. Look around. You go through certain areas that didn’t exist ten or 15 years ago.” 
 
 Mr Trump made tackling illegal US immigration one of the planks of his 2016 election campaign. 
 
 No1 fan loves his football shirt gift 
 
 Paul Edwards The SUN 22 President Trump with an England shirt presented to him by The Sun 
 
 “MR President, these gentlemen are from The Sun,” an aide formally announced as we were ushered into the Trump inner sanctum. 
 
 Entering the court of an emperor, it pays to bring a gift. 
 
 We presented him with an England shirt when we interviewed him at the US Embassy in Brussels on Wednesday, ahead of the Nato summit. 
 
 “Oh wow. I love gifts,” he said, happily obliging our photographer Paul Edwards by holding the personalised top up with a trademark grin. 
 
 “You don’t hear the word England as much as you should,” he continued. 
 
 “I think England is a beautiful name.” 
 
 Two things about him struck me most. 
 
 Paul Edwards The SUN 22 Donald Trump was all smiles as he posed with his new gift 
 
 First, Trump has total power. Nobody on his White House staff tells him what to say, or questions him when he says it. 
 
 When Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders announced our scheduled ten-minute slot was almost up, the President swiftly interjected: “No, give them a little bit more.” 
 
 We stayed for 28 minutes, with no more prompts to go. 
 
 Secondly, he is a very sensitive man, constantly saying how much various people like him. It clearly pains him today that he is not being welcomed to Britain as a hero and our most important ally. 
 
 On our way out, we met Trump’s Chief of Staff John Kelly. The former US Marine Corps general took me aside and said: “I read The Sun every day. I love Britain.” 
 
 Why would I stay in London when I feel so unwelcome? 
 
 AP:Associated Press 22 Donald Trump, pictured arriving in the UK, admitted he 'feels unwelcome' in London 
 
 DONALD Trump has admitted he “feels unwelcome” in London as a major ­security operation was launched for his arrival in the UK yesterday. 
 
 But the tycoon insists real British people “love the President of the United States”. 
 
 Mr Trump told The Sun he will be largely staying away from the capital to avoid huge street protests of up to 200,000 today. 
 
 But he blamed them on politicians — singling out his nemesis, Mayor of London Sadiq Khan. 
 
 Revealing he has been told of the 20ft “Trump Baby” blimp that will be flown above Parliament Square today, he said: “I guess when they put out blimps to make me feel unwelcome, no reason for me to go to London. 
 
 “I used to love London as a city. I haven’t been there in a long time. But when they make you feel unwelcome, why would I stay there? 
 
 AP:Associated Press 22 Mr Trump told The Sun he will be largely staying away from the capital to avoid huge street protests of up to 200,000 
 
 “And when I say that I am talking about government because the ­people of the UK agree with me.” 
 
 Mr Trump let his true feelings slip during an exclusive interview with The Sun hours before Air Force One touched down at Stansted Airport at 2pm yesterday. 
 
 Of his four-day visit, he added: “Many people are delighted. I get thousands of notifications from people in the UK that they love the President of the United States.” 
 
 He described a West London pub being renamed The Trump Arms for the duration of the trip as “wonderful”, adding: “I love those people. Those are my people.” 
 
 Reuters 22 Donald Trump insists real British people 'love the President of the United States' 
 
 Mr Trump added: “You know, a poll just came out that I am the most popular person in the history of the Republican Party — 92 per cent. Beating Lincoln. I beat our Honest Abe. 
 
 “But the people of the UK, and I’ll bet if you had an honest poll, I’d be very strong. They want the same thing I want. I love the UK.” 
 
 His trip is a lower key working visit rather than the full state visit that the Queen invited him on 18 months ago. 
 
 Asked why he has failed to visit Britain as President until now, Mr Trump said: “Well, you know the United States has been very busy. We have been doing very well.” 
 
 Theresa May hosted a dinner with 150 business bosses at Winston Churchill’s birthplace Blenheim Palace for Mr Trump last night. 
 
 Donald Trump arrives in UK and boasts that Brits ‘like me a lot’ 
 
 The Scots, Irish and Welsh Guards’ bands opened the event with a military ceremony in the Great Court. 
 
 Mr Trump and wife Melania are travelling everywhere in his Marine One helicopter to avoid demonstrations — including in and out of last night’s accommodation at the US Ambassador’s residence, Winfield House in Regents Park. 
 
 Protesters outside mounted a “Keep Trump Awake” rally — banging pots, pans and drums and blowing vuvuzelas from 8pm. 
 
 But when an estimated 200,000 protesters meet for the “Together Against Trump March” in central London at 2pm today, he will be at Chequers for talks with Mrs May. 
 
 The Trumps then fly to Scotland to spend the weekend at his golf resorts in Turnberry and Aberdeen. 
 
 Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn attacked Mrs May for inviting Mr Trump to Britain while “his dangerous and inhumane policies are putting the lives and wellbeing of millions of people at risk”. 
 
 Trump to meet 'incredible' Queen DONALD Trump described the Queen as “a tremendous woman” ahead of their first meeting today. The US President and wife Melania were due to have tea with the 92-year-old monarch at Windsor Castle this afternoon. He told The Sun he was not nervous about it — but was in awe of Her Majesty’s flawless public service. Mr Trump said: “She is a tremendous woman. I really look forward to meeting her. I think she represents her country so well. “If you think of it, for so many years she has represented her country, she has really never made a mistake. You don’t see, like, anything embarrassing. She is just an incredible woman. “My wife is a tremendous fan of hers. She has got a great and beautiful grace about her.” Mr Trump’s Scottish-born mum Mary was an obsessive fan of the Queen, he said. He added: “My mother loved the Queen. Any time the Queen was on television, my mother wanted to watch it.” Her Majesty will meet Mr Trump and the First Lady at the dais in the Quadrangle of the historic royal residence in Berkshire. A guard of honour, comprised of the Coldstream Guards, will give a royal salute and US anthem The Star-Spangled Banner will be played. Mr Trump and the Queen will then inspect the guard of honour and watch the soldiers march past. Afterwards, The President and First Lady will join the Queen for tea inside the castle. Her Majesty has met with previous White House couples including Barack and Michelle Obama, George W and Laura Bush, and Ronald and Nancy Reagan. 
 
 UK must up defence spending 
 
 AFP or licensors 22 Donald Trump told The Sun he agrees with Jim Mattis '100 per cent' on defence spending 
 
 THERESA May must listen to her generals and hike defence spending to keep the Special Relationship intact, said Mr Trump. 
 
 His Secretary of Defense asked the UK Government to go significantly above Nato’s minimum target of 2 per cent of GDP in funding for its military as the US’s major ally. 
 
 The President told The Sun he agrees with Jim Mattis “100 per cent”. 
 
 He added: “Two per cent isn’t enough. The US pays 4.2 per cent of a much larger GDP. 
 
 “I’m very impressed that Jim sent that letter. I think that is an exact right letter.” 
 
 Mr Trump defended himself against allies’ charges of blackmail over his demand for rapid rises in all 29 Nato member states’ defence budgets. 
 
 Asked if he was a bully, he said: “I’ll tell you what, we’ve had 40 years of presidents saying the same thing in a nicer way and they got nothing, so call it what you want. 
 
 US President Donald Trump talks candidly to The Sun about​ Defence budgets​ 
 
 “They’re taking ad­vantage of the United States. I’m not going to let it happen.” 
 
 Mr Trump caused panic by implying he could pull the US out of Nato if other countries did not hike their contributions. 
 
 He was asked at a Brussels press conference if he had threatened to withdraw and replied: “I told people I’d be very unhappy if they didn’t up their commitment. Yesterday I let them know I was extremely unhappy.” 
 
 He insisted nations had finally agreed to increase expenditure, adding: “Everyone in the room thanked me.” 
 
 But French President Emmanuel Macron de­nied Nato allies had agreed a spending rise. 
 
 The US wants its Nato allies to share more of the financial burden on defence. 
 
 In 2014 Nato nations committed to moves toward reaching the 2 per cent of GDP figure within 10 years. 
 
 Nato estimated just 15 members will meet the aim by 2024 based on current trends. 
 
 Trump met by protesters By Nick Pisa and Greg Wilford THE £30million security operation to support Donald Trump’s visit was put to the test soon after he arrived when demonstrators gathered where he was staying. Mr Trump’s plane Air Force One touched down at Stansted Airport in Essex before a helicopter took him and First Lady Melania to the US ambassador’s residence, Winfield House, in London’s Regent’s Park. Around 400 protesters were gathered there to stage a Wall of Noise demo, banging pots and pans and blowing whistles. The property had been surrounded by a specially built 9ft-high steel fence with concrete bollards. Turnstiles and metal detectors were at the building’s entrances, guarded by US Secret Service agents all wearing earpieces and shades. Cops were in the minaret of the nearby Regent’s Park mosque overlooking the residence, while armed officers patrolled its perimeter. And US agents on golf buggies patrolled the park as amazed tourists and office workers looked on. Last night, Mr Trump and Melania flew in the President’s Marine One helicopter for a black tie dinner hosted by PM Theresa May and hubby Philip at Winston Churchill’s Oxfordshire birthplace Blenheim Palace. Meanwhile, as many as 100,000 are expected to gather in central London in a protest today called by organisers Together Against Trump. But with around 10,000 cops on duty in an operation codenamed Manifold, tight security means he and Melania will be kept well away from any demonstrators. Mr Trump had said he was “fine” with planned protests. He said: “I think they like me a lot in the UK.”
– A "deepening political crisis and diplomatic embarrassment" is how the New York Times frames what British Prime Minister Theresa May was left to deal with Thursday after a scathing Sun interview with President Trump in which he faulted May's handling of Brexit and noted she may have "killed" chances of a free-trade deal with the US. But at a Friday press conference at May's Chequers estate, Trump did a 180, saying US-UK ties were at "the highest level of special" and praising May as an "incredible woman … doing a fantastic job." He also said whatever the UK chooses to do after it ditches the EU is "OK with me, that's their decision." May, for her part, added that the US was "keen" to forge a trade deal with the UK and that her nation would also forge similar deals with "others around the rest of the world," per the BBC. Trump didn't pass up the opportunity to slam the Sun for "fake news," addressing his criticism of May in that article by saying, "I didn't criticize the prime minister" and lamenting that the Sun neglected to include his praise for May in its "generally fine" story. He said he apologized to May for how the interview came off, to which he said May replied, "Don't worry, it's only the press," the Independent notes. Trump also touched on immigration, saying it's been "very bad for Europe" and is "changing the culture" there, and noted that at his upcoming summit with Vladimir Putin he planned to ask once more about meddling in the 2016 US election. "I will absolutely, firmly ask the question," he said, per Fortune, though he doesn't anticipate a "gotcha" moment with Putin. "There won't be a Perry Mason here, I don't think, but you never know what happens, right?" Watch the press conference here.