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13 Mar, 2025
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Eric Trump spotted in Edinburgh after secret Swinney meeting as he insists ‘we only talked golf’
@Source: thescottishsun.co.uk
ERIC Trump has been spotted outside a plush Edinburgh hotel after a secret meeting with First Minister John Swinney. The son of the US President - who took over the running of his father's golfing affairs in 2017 - was seen exiting the luxury Gleneagles Townhouse on St Andrew Square. Trump's private aircraft touched down shortly before 10am at the capital's airport for the pre-planned trip. Pictures posted online, thought to have been taken shortly after the plane's arrival, revealed a silver Mercedes people carrier on the tarmac next to it. Two vehicles of exactly the same make and model were later seen parked up outside the First Minister's official residence, Bute House. Mr Swinney's meeting with Mr Trump was initially kept under wraps by Scottish Government spinners - as they insisted it was a normal business meeting with an ordinary businessman. In a statement, Mr Trump insisted the meeting solely "concentrated on golf". He added: "I'm delighted to say that it was a very warm and friendly meeting and this is the first time that a First Minister has invited us to Bute House. "The First Minister thanked me for the Trump Organisation's ongoing colossal investment and commitment to Scotland. This is the first time that I've heard those words from the First Minister and they were hugely appreciated. "Our discussions focused solely on the Trump Organisation's commitment to creating in Trump Turnberry and Trump International in Aberdeenshire two of the most iconic golf destinations in the world. "We did not discuss Scottish or US politics but concentrated on golf. It was a very positive and constructive meeting about business and investment." It comes after the First Minister called for Donald Trump's visit to Scotland to be scrapped after his explosive White House bust-up with Volodymyr Zelensky. In a weekly post-FMQs briefing, the First Minister's official spokesman was asked who the First Minister was meeting with this afternoon, stating: "He's got a number of engagements." And then asked directly whether it was with a member of the Trump family, he said yes, before refusing to give any details about location, time, or discussion points due to security concerns. Asked what it was about he said: "He is obviously executive vice president of the Trump Organisation in Scotland and obviously they have business interests in Scotland so it will be connected to that." Pressed on the idea the discussion would not include politics: "He is a business leader and an employer in Scotland. "The First Minister, the Deputy First Minister and other ministers regularly meet business figures who employ in Scotland and are based in Scotland. "This is not a political meeting, it's a business meeting." Last year, Eric Trump said it was "nasty" for the First Minister to endorse Donald Trump's rival in the US presidential election. He told the PA news agency at the time that his father "is not going to lose any sleep over" John Swinney's remarks - and said "I'm not sure it bothers him one bit". Mr Trump also said the Scottish Government had made it "virtually impossible" to do business in the country. He suggested that it was only his family's "love" for the country that kept them investing. Scottish Green co-leader Lorna Slater blasted the First Minister’s decision to meet Mr Trump. Ms Slater said: “This meeting is totally inappropriate. It is a bad call that sends a terrible message. When it comes to the Trumps, the line between business and politics has always been blurred. “Eric Trump is not a normal businessman. He is a right-wing extremist that has peddled misinformation and conspiracy theories. "He is a figurehead for an administration that is wrecking our planet while cosying up to Vladimir Putin and showing total contempt for human rights and democracy. “Communities across Scotland have fought against Donald Trump and his destructive business practices for decades. The Scottish Greens will always support those communities and our natural environment.”
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