During the state dinner toast, King Charles jokingly referred to Trump’s earlier remarks criticizing European allies for relying on defense support since World War II.
United States: At a State Dinner hosted at the White House on Tuesday, King Charles III gave US President Donald Trump a taste of his own medicine when he jokingly remarked that, were it not for the British, Americans would be speaking French.
As the heads of state exchanged banter during the dinner, Charles alluded to Trump’s past comments regarding European allies—whom he had accused of freeloading on defense spending since the end of World War II.
Charles quipped, “Mr. President, you recently stated that were it not for the United States, European nations would be speaking German. May I suggest that, were it not for us, you would be speaking French?”
The King was referencing the British and French colonial origins of North America—a region where, 250 years ago (prior to US independence), rival colonial powers had battled for control of the continent.
During the Davos summit in January, Trump had asserted that, without US assistance during World War II, “you would be speaking German—and a little bit of Japanese.”
Yet, beneath the King’s lighthearted banter lay a palpable warmth, reflecting the growing rapport between him and Trump regarding the “Special Relationship” between London and Washington—a bond that has endured despite tensions surrounding the conflict in Iran.
He further teased Trump by noting that he could not help but observe the “readjustments” currently underway in the White House’s East Wing—a section the former real estate tycoon has demolished to make way for a massive, $400 million ballroom.
“I regret to say,” he remarked, “that we British, of course, undertook our own attempt at a ‘real estate redevelopment’ of the White House back in 1814“—referring to the historic incident in which British troops set fire to the building. Charles also jokingly remarked that this dinner was “much better than the Boston Tea Party”—an event in 1773 when colonists threw ships laden with taxed British tea into the sea.
Trump—a huge admirer of the British royals, whose mother hailed from Scotland—reserved most of his jokes for domestic targets.
“I want to congratulate Charles on delivering a magnificent speech to Congress today,” Trump said. “He got the Democrats to stand up—something I could never achieve.”
Meanwhile, the King arrived bearing a gift that served as a touch of British charm for Trump, particularly given the latter’s criticism of Prime Minister Keir Starmer for refusing to assist against Iran. Charles presented the President with the bell from the British submarine HMS Trump, which was launched in 1944 during the Second World War.
Amidst a thunderous round of applause, the King declared, “May this stand as a testament to the shared history and bright future of our two nations. And should you ever wish to reach us, simply give us a call.”
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