Read on Twitter
Trump: “What about Brexit? Did Cameron make a mistake?”
May: “Look, it’s Conservative Party politics”. (A UK adviser explained why Cameron had to call vote)
May: “Look, it’s Conservative Party politics”. (A UK adviser explained why Cameron had to call vote)
Trump: “Why isn’t Boris Johnson the prime minister? Didn’t he want the job?” 
[Theresa May explained the Tory leadership process which led to her becoming PM]
Trump: “Oh, so you were drafted like in baseball. But really I think you were plotting this all along”.
[Theresa May explained the Tory leadership process which led to her becoming PM]
Trump: “Oh, so you were drafted like in baseball. But really I think you were plotting this all along”.
[On UK-US trade talks. Cohn used to be president of Goldman Sachs]
Trump: “The guy from our side on trade would be Gary Cohn. That guy used to pay $175 million in taxes a year and now makes $170,000 a year. Incredible.”
Trump: “The guy from our side on trade would be Gary Cohn. That guy used to pay $175 million in taxes a year and now makes $170,000 a year. Incredible.”
Trump, on Brexit: “What about Northern Ireland?”
Trump on N Ireland: “There’s such hatred there. I just don’t understand where it comes from.”
[May tried to explain, Trump started talking about Scotland and how Alex Salmond was a “loser”]
Trump on N Ireland: “There’s such hatred there. I just don’t understand where it comes from.”
[May tried to explain, Trump started talking about Scotland and how Alex Salmond was a “loser”]
Trump: “We are going to get tough on immigration. The Europeans have opened their doors to bad people. We will not have a Paris.”
(Presumably a reference to recent terror attacks in French capital)
(Presumably a reference to recent terror attacks in French capital)
Trump: “Crime is way up in Germany. Women are getting raped all over the place”
Trump: “Merkel will lose her next election”
May: “No I don’t think she will, she’s the best politician in Europe right now”
(Spoiler: May was right)
Trump: “Merkel will lose her next election”
May: “No I don’t think she will, she’s the best politician in Europe right now”
(Spoiler: May was right)
There’s passing reference to Trump-Michael Flynn chat on Putin call, widely reported. Then this:
May: “You have to engage with Putin but beware. He only respects strength. You have to be tough.”
Trump: “I have to talk to this guy. He has a thousand nukes. This isn’t the Congo.”
May: “You have to engage with Putin but beware. He only respects strength. You have to be tough.”
Trump: “I have to talk to this guy. He has a thousand nukes. This isn’t the Congo.”
Another sidenote: I read out the above to two people who were in the Trump-May lunch. Both said it was broadly accurate based on their recollections. A third person familiar with the US note said likewise.
*MAY-TRUMP SKRIPAL CALL*
March 2018. Sergei Skripal (Russian spy defected to UK) + daughter were poisoned with Novichok. A chemical attack on British soil.
May wanted nations to jointly expel Russian diplomats. She wanted Trump’s help. Big moment for her + UK-US relationship...
March 2018. Sergei Skripal (Russian spy defected to UK) + daughter were poisoned with Novichok. A chemical attack on British soil.
May wanted nations to jointly expel Russian diplomats. She wanted Trump’s help. Big moment for her + UK-US relationship...
[On Skripal / Russian diplomat expulsions]
May: "We really need your leadership on this”
Trump: "No, I would rather follow than lead. Angela [Merkel] is doing nothing. She is feeding the beast. I have done stuff and the EU has to do something. We are paying for their defence."
May: "We really need your leadership on this”
Trump: "No, I would rather follow than lead. Angela [Merkel] is doing nothing. She is feeding the beast. I have done stuff and the EU has to do something. We are paying for their defence."
[On Skripal]
May: “Three children fell ill after feeding ducks there”
Trump: “Yes, it’s horrible and disgusting”
May: “The US and the UK must stand together on this”
Trump: “No, all of us have to be together. Germany has to do something. You have to put together a coalition."
May: “Three children fell ill after feeding ducks there”
Trump: “Yes, it’s horrible and disgusting”
May: “The US and the UK must stand together on this”
Trump: “No, all of us have to be together. Germany has to do something. You have to put together a coalition."
Trump: “I’m not willing for the US to go first and then have others not to do anything. Germany has to do something.”
Eventually, Trump did actually expel Russian diplomats. 60, more than any nation. WashPost reported when he learned Germany expelled 4 he was... not impressed.
Eventually, Trump did actually expel Russian diplomats. 60, more than any nation. WashPost reported when he learned Germany expelled 4 he was... not impressed.
