The United Kingdom voted to leave the European Union, and Donald Trump hopes “America is watching.”
Donald Trump on Brexit: “I hope America is watching”
Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images
After the decisive Brexit vote, which led to British Prime Minister David Cameron’s resignation and the immediate and dramatic fall of global financial markets, Trump — currently at his new golf course in Scotland — reiterated his support for the winning “Vote Leave” campaign.
“The people of the United Kingdom have exercised the sacred right of all free peoples,” Trump said in a statement. “They have declared their independence from the European Union and have voted to reassert control over their own politics, borders, and economy.”
There are strong parallels between Britain’s Brexit debate and current political discourse in the United States. Much of the anti-immigration, anti-globalization sentiment that won in the Brexit vote resonates with Trump’s campaign calls for border walls, immigration bans, and overhauls of global trade policies.
The similarities were not lost on Trump.
“Come November, the American people will have the chance to re-declare their independence,” he said. “Americans will have a chance to vote for trade, immigration and foreign policies that put our citizens first. They will have the chance to reject today’s rule by the global elite, and to embrace real change that delivers a government of, by, and for the people. I hope America is watching, it will soon be time to believe in America again.”
As for the current financial situation — the pound has already dropped 8 percent in light of the vote — Trump said it will help his business in Scotland.
“When the pound goes down, more people are coming to Turnberry,” he said at a press conference in Scotland.
