UK Republicans ‘optimistic’ ahead of Donald Trump’s inauguration

The head of a Republican group in the UK said optimism and expectations are “really high” ahead of Donald Trump’s inauguration later this month.

Investment banker and political commentator Greg Swenson is chairman of the Republicans Overseas UK group, a support network for Republican Americans living in the United Kingdom.

He said he believed Mr Trump’s election would be “net positive” for US-UK relations but added that Mr Trump and his cabinet “won’t be scared to criticise”.

Looking ahead to the inauguration on January 20, Mr Swenson told the PA news agency: “There’s just a massive amount of optimism. Perhaps a bit too much.

“Expectations are really high because this time we’ve seen the movie.

“In 2016 we didn’t feel this way because it was such a shock result. But now we’ve had four years of Trump that was filled with peace and prosperity, barring a few bumps, and we’re getting rid of the insanity of this Biden administration.

“There will be challenges. For example, us on the right will have to pay for what Biden did in raising national debt. That’s going to be a big challenge.

“But a criticism I don’t agree with is that all of Trump’s appointees are ‘yes men’. I don’t think that’s true and as long as everyone’s on the same page a little bit of friction is healthy.”

Mr Swenson’s comments come amid an ongoing spat between UK ministers and billionaire X owner Elon Musk, who has been appointed by the president-elect to lead his Department of Government Efficiency advisory board.

On this, the Republican admitted there could be “bumps” in UK-US relations but that overall it would be “net positive”.

He explained: “Almost the entire West is moving to the right. But because of the election cycle and the disappointment of the Tories, the UK is the opposite with Labour.

“But I do think the relationship will be positive. You have a president who likes the UK but won’t be scared to criticise. You’re going to get grenades in the room.”

On Mr Musk’s particular criticism of Home Office minister Jess Phillips, including a post on X describing her as a “rape genocide apologist”, Mr Swenson said: “Elon is piling on a bit with the sex terrorism but nobody knew about it in the US. They were shocked that it could happen in a Western country.

“I don’t necessarily agree with his comments but I don’t think it will damage the relationship between the UK and US. If the comments elevated the threat against her then that’s not good. But where do you stop criticising opponents?

“When you look at what the Labour government has said in the past about Trump, calling him a fascist and a racist, that’s really inflammatory.

“So I don’t think the comments are anything unusual for elevated rhetoric. But would I have made them? No.”

Mr Trump will be sworn in as the 47th president of the United States on January 20.

The ceremony will take place in Washington, DC, marking the peaceful transition of power from Joe Biden to Mr Trump – who is returning to the White House for a non-consecutive second term.