Yahoo News Support for Donald Trump HAS grown in the UK as he claims he has 'many fans'
You might not believe it, but support for Donald Trump actually increased in the UK in the past year – with pro-Brexit voters far more likely to back him than Remainers, a survey has revealed.
In an interview with Piers Morgan on ITV, broadcast on Sunday night, the US president insisted he is popular in the UK.
Mr Trump claimed he receives “so much fan mail” from Britons and dismissed calls for protests during his upcoming state visit.
In a wide-ranging interview, Mr Trump was questioned over anger about the invitation extended to him by Theresa May on behalf of the Queen.
Mr Trump said: “I think I’m very popular in your country.”
Morgan replied: “Let’s not be too hasty, Mr President.”
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Mr Trump went on: “I know but I believe that, I really do. I get so much fan mail from people in your country.
“They love my sense of security, they love what I’m saying about many different things. We get tremendous support from people in the UK.”
There are obviously different ways to approach the question, but last time @YouGov asked, support for President Trump in the UK was indeed rising – albeit very slightly and from a low base. #TrumpMorgan pic.twitter.com/9fsH8AMAxx
— Joe Twyman (@JoeTwyman) January 28, 2018
However, the results of the YouGov survey reveal that support for Mr Trump has indeed increased among Britons since he became president.
Although his starting approval rating in the UK – just 12% in October 2016 before the presidential election – wasn’t a very high starting base, in December 2017, his popularity among Britons had risen to 18%.
In contrast, 82% said they still prefer Hillary Clinton.
Among Brexit voters, Mr Trump’s popularity is at 33%, but only 4% of Remainers back him.
When asked by Mr Morgan about calls to ban him from visiting the country, Mr Trump said: “Well, that’s their problem – I could very nicely stay home.”
Mr Trump claimed Mrs May invited him to the UK twice this year.
Downing Street did not confirm the Mail on Sunday’s claim that an informal visit in July would be followed by a state visit in October.
A Number 10 source said: “An invitation has been extended and accepted, and details will be set out in due course.”
