A forensic lip reader has claimed that President Trump discussed the assassination attempt against him and his recent conversations with Vladimir Putin during brief small talk with King Charles at the White House.
Nicola Hickling, a lip reader, observed the interaction between the two leaders on the South Lawn on the first day of the royal state visit. According to her analysis, Trump began by saying "This shooting..." before the King interjected, expressing reluctance to remain outside. Trump then assured the King he was prepared, before changing the subject to his discussions with Putin, saying "he wants war". Charles reportedly responded firmly: "We will discuss that later."
The exchange took place just days after 31-year-old Cole Tomas Allen stormed the Washington Hilton hotel, with Trump and Melania rushed to safety by Secret Service agents. Allen has been charged with attempting to assassinate the president. Buckingham Palace confirmed that "minor adjustments" would be made to the trip following the shooting, but that the state visit would otherwise proceed as planned, with Trump promising that Charles and Camilla would be "really safe".
The meeting on the South Lawn included warm handshakes and embraces before the royals were escorted inside for a private tea in the Green Room lasting about 45 minutes. Trump also offered the King a tour of the White House ballroom project, saying: "You can see right through there, right the way through to the ballroom. Would you like to see?"
The visit comes amid growing tensions between the US and UK governments over the Iran war, with Trump critical of Prime Minister Keir Starmer's lack of support for US military action. White House spokesperson Anna Kelly said: "President Trump has always had great respect for King Charles, and their relationship was further strengthened by the President's historic visit to the United Kingdom last year." The four-day visit will include a state dinner, an address to Congress, and trips to New York and Virginia.
