Trump denied opportunity to speak in UK parliament during state visit

During a reported state visit in the summer of 2025, Donald Trump was denied the opportunity to address the UK parliament, a decision viewed by many as a significant snub. The decision comes shortly after Emmanuel Macron, the French president, was allowed to speak in parliament, where he emphasized the need for closer security cooperation between Britain and France. The refusal to permit Trump to address both houses was influenced by concerns over his previous comments regarding democracy and NATO, as well as objections from the public and MPs. Many parliamentarians expressed that Trump's past remarks made it inappropriate for him to address the historically significant venue. Furthermore, this incident resulted from previous calls earlier in the year to block Trump from addressing parliament due to his perceived disrespect towards democratic values. According to anonymous White House sources, arranging for Trump to speak in parliament had never been part of the official discussions for the planned visit, indicating a lack of expectation regarding this aspect of his itinerary. Nevertheless, the decision not to allow him to deliver a speech can be expected to create tension between the US and UK, especially since Trump was previously blocked from addressing parliament during his last visit. The barring of a speech was argued by some members of UK parliament, including Labour MP Kate Osborne, as a reflection of the immorality of granting him such an honor. The speaker of the House of Commons confirmed that any request for addressing parliament would be evaluated typically, reinforcing the idea that political norms apply to all world leaders, regardless of their status. As such, this situation encapsulates the growing tensions in diplomatic discussions involving Trump, emphasizing the evolution of political etiquette and expectations during state visits.