John Swinney meets Eric Trump at Bute House

John Swinney has met with Donald Trump’s son Eric Trump at Bute House in Edinburgh.  

The first minister and the executive vice president of the Trump Organisation held a business meeting focusing on golf resorts that is believed to have lasted under an hour.  

The pair, alongside Sarah Malone, another executive vice president of the Trump Organisation, discussed the impact Donald Trump’s two golf courses, Trump Turnberry and Trump International, have on the Scottish economy. 

A spokesperson for the first minister said the meeting “provided an opportunity to discuss Scotland’s investment potential”.  

The meeting comes after Swinney said the UK “shouldn’t be talking” of giving Donald Trump another state visit in light of the “unacceptable” scenes in the Oval Office, referring to the US president’s meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, which ended in him cutting his visit to Washington DC short.  

Eric Trump described the meeting as “very warm and friendly” and said Swinney “thanked me for the Trump Organisation's ongoing colossal investment and commitment to Scotland”. 

He said: “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.” 

Co-leader of the Scottish Greens Lorna Slater described the meeting as “a bad call that sends a terrible message”.  

She 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 cozying 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.” 

Last week, Trump Turnberry was vandalised by a pro-Palestinian group. 

The words “Gaza is not for sale” were sprayed across one green and another appeared to be dug up. One building was covered with red paint.