Don't ask questions if you don't like to hear the answers!

Donald Trump has a way with words. When asked whether he thought it had been appropriate to comment on Brexit and the Tory leadership race in Britain - he has been accused of interfering in UK politics - he replied to reporters on the White House lawn before jetting off to the UK: "Don't ask me the question if you don't want me to talk about it." That's a helluva good reply. Of course, when asked awkward questions by the Sun and then the Sunday Times about Brexit and Meghan Markle etc, he could have answered by giving the standard, "I don't want to comment on UK issues." But that's not Trump's way. If he's asked a question he gives his view. Otherwise the interview would be boring. And anyway, Trump is not the first president to step boldly into British politics. Obama made a devastating comment when he was in London and attending a press conference. He was asked about Brexit and he replied that if the UK left the EU, America's special ally would have to go to the back of the queue for trade deals with the US. He said that before the 2016 referendum result and clearly hoped that his remark might spur people to vote to remain in the EU. It had the opposite effect. So along comes Trump and says the UK should leave the EU without a deal so they can sign up to a nice fat trade contract with the US. And yes, he likes Boris Johnson and believes he would make a good prime minister. Then he snipes at Sadiq Khan, the London Mayor, whom he clearly can't stand. But hey, he was asked the questions, so he answered. Brits get very stuffy about American presidents, in fact any foreigner, who so much as dare say anything unpleasant or bossy about Britain. We have this thing about foreigners you may have noticed! But it's called freedom of speech and Brits should stop getting so uppity about the remarks Trump has made so far. After all, British politicians and, of course, Sadiq Khan, have been brutally rude about Trump on many occasions, so I guess he is just getting his own back. I much prefer politicians to be honest and straightforward, and if remarks are embarrassing for some, then so be it. We all know that Trump likes Boris Johnson and Nigel Farage. It's not really a big deal. What WILL be interesting is if leaks get out from the get-together between Trump and the Royal Family. Perhaps Prince Harry will take up Trump on his "nasty" comment about his wife. And even if he doesn't because royal protocol would bar him from saying anything to upset a state visit guest, perhaps Trump himself will whisper to Harry, "Don't worry, Harry, I think Meghan is charming. Don't believe what you read in the fake newspapers." As for the Queen, well she has hosted so many of Trump's predecessors in her reign, she won't be surprised or alarmed by anything. She will treat Trump with her usual courtesy and, who knows, they might actually get along. Prince Philip won't be there, otherwise he might queer the pitch by saying, "Mr President, how on earth do you construct that pile on your head every morning?" Now we know what Trump's hair looks like after a shower before he has had time to hair-dryer it. There's a picture of him attending some event after playing golf and his hair is all swept back like a normal hair style. It makes him look more ordinary and unTrump-like. But for his state visit to the UK his hair is back to the usual bouffant mode. It must make Prince Philip chuckle.