Scotland's First Minister Turns Down Trump White House Invitation

First minister of Scotland John Swinney he refused the invitation from The president Donald Trump to attend a White House state banquet.

A Scottish government spokesman said The Independent On Tuesday, April 21, Swinney, 62, “politely declined” the seat at the Tuesday, April 28, event as it coincided with his campaigning efforts ahead of May's Holyrood election in Scotland.

The outlet also reported that a “four-minute call” between Trump, 79, and Swinney took place on Monday, April 20, and “it is understood that the invitation was the focus.”

A spokesman for the Scottish National Party also told the media that, “As the First Minister has said before, he will continue to communicate with the president when it is in Scotland's interest, but he will be clear in areas where he does not agree with the actions of the American administration, such as their actions in Iran.” (Swinney has served as Leader of the Scottish National Party since 2024 following a previous position between 2000 and 2004.)

The White House dinner will include King Charles III again Queen Camilla in attendance, planned as part of Charles' first visit to the US since becoming king in 2022. Buckingham Palace confirmed in March that Charles, 77, and Camilla, 78, had been invited by Trump to visit the US.

Buckingham Palace said, according to a report made USA Today On Tuesday, the tour will “celebrate the historic connection and contemporary bilateral relationship between the United Kingdom and the United States, marking 250 years of American independence.”

As for Swinney, the Scottish politician visited Trump at the White House in September 2025 to “discuss a possible agreement to exempt Scotch whiskey from US import duties,” according to a BBC report.

A week after the visit, Swinney attended a state banquet at Windsor Castle honoring Trump.

Thank you!

You have successfully registered.

Just two months earlier, in July 2025, Trump had visited Scotland and publicly described Swinney as a “special guy” when he officially opened the Trump International Scotland golf course in Aberdeenshire.

Report of News of Heaven at the time he said Trump asked Swinney to stand up and be honored for his political contributions at the inauguration. “John Swinney is a terrific guy — and he loves golf and he loves the people of this country, and we really appreciate that,” Trump told reporters before passing his praise directly to Swinney.

“You're a really special person. Thank you so much for everything, John,” Trump said.