Live updates: Trump to meet with British PM Keir Starmer at the White House
NBCFEB 19
Trump Hosts Starmer at the White House for Ukraine Talks
Above: UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer meets with US Pres. Donald Trump, during a bilateral meeting in the Oval Office at the White House on Feb. 27, 2025 in Washington, DC. Image copyright: SAUL LOEB/Contributor/AFP via Getty Images
The Spin
Left narrative
Starmer's embarrassing fawning over Trump shows a troubling willingness to compromise values for political optics. From presenting a letter from King Charles to awkwardly praising Trump's "unprecedented" impact, Starmer seemed more focused on stroking his ego than defending the principles of liberal democracy. British deference to a man willing to blow up the international order is a major setback for global security.
Right narrative
The Starmer-Trump meeting was a win for both leaders, showcasing a strong US-UK partnership. Trump praised Starmer and the UK, while the two secured progress on trade and potential UK tariff exemptions. Despite work to be done on Ukraine, Trump's commitment to future cooperation and Starmer's diplomatic skills strengthen transatlantic ties, with a second state visit further solidifying their alliance.
Pro-Russia narrative
Russia has consistently been open to peaceful dialogue, as Russian Pres. Putin has expressed, and is ready to engage with the US on mutually beneficial terms. The West's relentless push to expand NATO, despite Russia's repeated warnings, has left Ukraine trapped in a dangerous geopolitical struggle. If the West had respected Russia’s security concerns, much of today’s conflict could have been avoided.