A lip reader has claimed that President Donald Trump issued a sinister warning to King Charles III during their initial meeting at the White House, despite official assurances of safety for the royal couple's US visit.
Trump's Private Words to the King
As King Charles and Queen Camilla arrived at the White House on the first day of their state visit, television cameras captured their greeting but could not hear the exchange. Lip reader Nicola Hickling, speaking to the Daily Mail, interpreted Trump's words. According to Hickling, Trump began by referencing the recent shooting at the White House Correspondents' Dinner, saying, "This shooting ..." The King reportedly replied, "I'd rather not stand about here too long. I feel I shouldn't be here."
Hickling believes Trump then asked if the King was okay, adding, "It's not a good thing. I wasn't prepared, but now I am prepared." Trump then changed the subject to his talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin, stating, "So right now, I am talking to Putin. He wants war." The King attempted to defer the topic, saying, "Another time," but Trump continued: "I've got a feeling… if he did what he said, he will wipe out the population."
Official Assurances and Adjustments
Prior to the visit, President Trump had given assurances that King Charles and Queen Camilla would be "really safe" in the US, following a potential assassination attempt on his life on Saturday evening. Buckingham Palace stated that despite the incident, the visit would "proceed as planned" but with "adjustments," according to royal sources.
The State Visit Begins
The King and Queen smiled for cameras as they sat down for tea with Donald Trump and First Lady Melania at the White House. After tea, they attended a garden party with hundreds of guests, including former Olympian Tom Daley and many of Trump's top administration officials. The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the lip reader's claims.
