Trump and Starmer Discuss Immigration, Energy, and TikTok at UK Press Conference

Immigration and Border Security

• 🇺🇸 Donald Trump stated that millions of people were pouring into the US illegally, but claimed that under his policies, there were zero illegal entries in the last three months.
• 🇺🇸 He asserted that illegal immigration destroys countries from within and that the US is removing individuals who entered illegally, including those from prisons and mental institutions.
• 🇬🇧 Keir Starmer reported a record number of returns, over 35,000 since his party took office, and confirmed a successful return flight under a new arrangement with France.
• 🇬🇧 Starmer emphasized the need to prove that returns can be done at scale and that it's an important step forward.

Energy Policy and Inflation

• 🇬🇧 Starmer is determined to lower energy prices and bills for individuals and businesses, including a mix of North Sea oil and gas with renewables.
• 🇺🇸 Trump claimed to have inherited the worst inflation in US history and that his policy of "drill baby drill" and utilizing North Sea oil brought fuel prices and inflation down, leading to a strong economy.
• 🇺🇸 He criticized wind energy as an "expensive joke" and highlighted the potential of the North Sea for the UK.

International Conflicts and Diplomacy

• 🇺🇸 Trump expressed disappointment in President Putin's actions in Ukraine, stating the conflict would not have happened under his presidency due to Putin's respect for US leadership.
• 🇺🇸 He referenced his success in settling disputes between Azerbaijan and Albania, Congo, India, and Pakistan as examples of his diplomatic achievements.
• 🇬🇧 Starmer stated the need to put extra pressure on Putin and highlighted recent events like the bombing of the British Council in Kyiv and the incursion into Poland as signs of increased recklessness.
• 🇬🇧 He emphasized the importance of a coalition of the willing, with British and French leadership, to support Ukraine.

Free Speech and Social Media

• 🇬🇧 Starmer affirmed that free speech is a founding value of the UK, which they protect fiercely, but drew a line between free speech and protecting children from harmful content like pedophilia and suicide promotion on social media.
• 🇺🇸 Trump discussed the potential sale of TikTok to an American buyer, expressing his desire to finalize a deal with China and secure a significant fee for the US, noting TikTok's value in helping him get elected.
• 🇺🇸 He also criticized the use of an "autopen" by the current US administration, calling it illegal and suggesting a pardon was given to Congress members who deleted information.