A LIPREADER has revealed the moment Sir Keir Starmer admitted to a mystery “genuine mistake” as he greeted Donald Trump.
The PM and President sat side by side at a business leaders reception at Chequers today for what could be the biggest deal in UK history when the awkward exchange occurred.
Donald Trump and Sir Keir Starmer participate in a business leaders reception at Chequers today[/caption]
Starmer puts his hand on Trump’s shoulder[/caption]
Starmer bows his head as he offers his hand to Trump[/caption]
Click here for The Sun’s live blog on the state visit
The Sun can reveal their small talk began with the PM asking his American counterpart if he’d ever been to the 16th century manor house before to which he said he had.
Starmer then said: “This is the first time… it’s been passed, it happened seven days ago. It’s very rare, I tell anyone that sort of thing.”
The President then said something which was inaudible before the PM responded: “Nonsense. It’s my mistake.”
A busy day with the Royals…
- Trump hailed the “radiant and healthy” Princess Kate as she sat next to the President at the banquet
- The US leader took a thinly veiled swipe at Harry
- Melania Trump stunned in a daring off-the-shoulder yellow gown and pink belt
- Donald Trump praised “very, very special” King Charles for “making Britain great again”
- King’s joke that made “long-time friend” Trump erupt into laughter revealed
- Telltale body language clues showing what Trump, Charles & William REALLY think of each other
- Melania’s state banquet dress leaves fashionistas mesmerised
- Royal photographer Arthur Edwards said he’s never seen a day quite like yesterday
- Kate & Melania swap banquet feast for honey sarnies
At this point, Starmer quickly became flustered and gestured to brush off the misunderstanding.
Trump, however, reacted with visible emphasis, turning towards the cameras.
He then told Starmer: “It’s a genuine mistake, my friend.”
The PM also told the Republican he was “among friends” as they fronted the media together alongside business chiefs.
Starmer hailed the £250billion transatlantic investment deal as the “biggest investment package of its kind in British history, by a country mile.”
He said: “It comes down to the connections between our people, ties of family and friendship. The president himself is a shining example of that.”
Trump in turn declared the UK and US share an “unbreakable bond” as he basked in the “exquisite honour” of becoming the first American President to make a second state visit.
He said: “It’s the first time it’s ever been done, was really was an honour such great history, and to think it’s a first, it’s always nice to have a first, but the ties between our countries are priceless, and it’s really an inheritance, beautiful inheritance.
“And I think it’s an unbreakable bond we have, regardless of what we’re doing today, I think it’s unbreakable.”
The deal will help the two countries get ahead in AI advancement, and the leaders held up the signed agreement for photos as the beamed at one another.
The technology prosperity deal will offer major investment by US tech firms in the UK, and this will help to develop its AI capabilities.
The PM also hailed the prospect of some £150 billion flowing into the UK from big US companies such as Blackstone and Palantir, which he said will be “life-changing” for Brits.
But the talks between the two leaders will culminate in a joint news conference later, a high-stakes moment that could overshadow the carefully staged pageantry designed to reinforce the “special relationship.”
The PM and Trump have an unlikely friendship, with the President previously calling Starmer a “good man” with a “beautiful accent”.
What is Trump and Starmer’s new deal?
The UK and US have sealed a £31 billion “Tech Prosperity Deal” to supercharge cooperation in AI, quantum computing and nuclear energy, with American tech giants leading the charge.
Microsoft will pump in £22 billion to build UK cloud and AI infrastructure including a new supercomputer, while Nvidia is supplying 120,000 GPUs for a sovereign AI project. Google is spending £5 billion on a huge new data centre in Waltham Cross, and CoreWeave will invest £1.5 billion to expand AI capacity in Scotland.
Ministers say the pact will fast-track breakthroughs in drug discovery, cancer treatments and medical research, while also boosting nuclear power to deliver cleaner, cheaper energy.
A new “AI Growth Zone” in the North East is tipped to create 5,000 jobs and billions in investment.
Ministers argue it secures British sovereignty over critical infrastructure, though critics warn it could leave the UK dependent on US firms.
For consumers, this could mean earlier access to AI-powered healthcare that spots illnesses sooner and makes treatment more personalised.
It should also make everyday online services faster and more reliable, with new data centres cutting delays.
Investment in nuclear power could help stabilise energy bills in the years ahead.
And the thousands of new tech jobs created may bring better opportunities and higher wages for families across the UK, not just in London.
The bromance has led to the new “Tech Prosperity Deal” with the United States.
But Starmer has been forced to abandon hope of eliminating steel tariffs despite a promise by Trump to cut the 25 per cent levy.
It comes after the embattled PM admitted he knew Peter Mandelson was being probed over emails to Jeffrey Epstein – and still continued backing him.
Royal goodbye
This morning, Trump said a formal goodbye to the King after a dazzling first day of the historic state visit.
Kate and Melania have exchanged honey gifts and played games with young Scouts as Keir and Trump talked politics.
The US leader sat next to the King and Princess Kate for the extravagant banquet last night, and appeared delighted at the festivities.
Pomp and pageantry was out in full force, with the scale and spectacle of the military ceremonial on show for Trump unprecedented.
The awkward moment happened as they first greeted each other[/caption]
