John Swinney says he has ‘very big, real differences’ with Donald Trump after Green chief’s Holyrood attack on President

JOHN Swinney today said he had “very big, real differences” with Donald Trump after an MSP launched a furious Holyrood attack on the next US President.

The First Minister’s latest remarks on the American election came after his public backing of losing Democrat candidate Kamala Harris sparked controversy – including within the SNP.

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Speaking at Holyrood today, Mr Swinney highlighted his discomfort with Mr Trump‘s historic victory and return to power when quizzed on the issue by Scottish Greens co-leader Patrick Harvie.

At First Minister’s Questions, Mr Harvie hit out at Mr Swinney writing to the Republican candidate – who has close ties with Scotland – after his win.

In the letter, the First Minister had referred to the “strong and lasting social, cultural and economic ties” between Scotland and the US.

But Mr Harvie said Americans faced the presidency “of a misogynist, a climate denier, a fraudster, a conspiracy-monger, a racist, a far-right politician who tried to overturn an election result both covertly and by inciting violence“.

The Greens boss said: “Words fail me. What social and cultural ties does the First Minister really think will benefit from a relationship with such a man?

“And, more importantly, what has the First Minister done so far to reach out to the marginalised and vulnerable people whose lives are most directly threatened by a second Trump term?”

Mr Swinney replied: “I have a duty as First Minister of Scotland to engage with other governments and to represent the people of Scotland in that process. And as part of that duty, I wrote the letter in question that Mr Harvie cites.

“I think there are deep cultural, social and economic ties between Scotland and the United States of America. I think they’re important.

“They’re important for employment in our economy, they’re important for the cultural expression of our country and for the way in which we are able to pursue those objectives.

“So, whilst there are very clearly, because of what I said before the presidential election, very big real differences in expression and in priority and in way of life between me and Donald Trump, I cannot deny the existence of links between Scotland and the United States.”

Mr Swinney said that “regardless of the presidential choice in the United States”, he wanted to “maintain good relationships between Scotland and the United States”.

However, Mr Harvie shot back and accused Mr Swinney of “extraordinary complacency at a time of incredible danger for the world”.

Last week, following FMQs, the First Minister prompted criticism from Trump International – which runs the golf resorts in Turnberry, Ayrshire, and Menie, Aberdeenshire – after telling reporters: “People in the United States of America should vote for Kamala Harris and I have not come to that conclusion only because Donald Trump is opposed to Scottish independence.”

But on Wednesday, the SNP chief wrote to Mr Trump pledging cooperation and close ties with Scotland, and posted on X/Twitter: “Congratulations to President-elect Trump on his election.

“Scotland and the USA share many social, cultural and economic links.

“In that relationship, we will stand fast in support of our values of fairness, democracy and equality – ideals that America was built upon.”

And asked on Wednesday about his comments last Thursday, Mr Swinney tried to shrug it off and said: “I gave an answer to a question that I was asked.”

But asked if he thought the USA would regret the election of Mr Trump, the SNP leader said there was a “lot of water to go under the bridge”.

He added: “We will have to wait and see what emerges.

“But I think the nature of some of the language and the expressions about other people I think, I understand why people are concerned this morning and we’ll just have to wait and see where it goes.”

The First Minister later wrote to both Mr Trump and the new Vice President, JD Vance, congratulating them on their victory.

He said: “We greatly appreciate the strong and lasting social, cultural and economic ties we have with the United States and are sure that these will continue to flourish during your Presidency.

“I wish you every success in your new role.”

Mr Swinney faced internal criticism over his decision to back Ms Harris – with former SNP MP Stewart McDonald labelled his endorsement a “folly”.

Mr McDonald said: “What this election shows is the folly of ministers and other elected parliamentarians publicly endorsing one candidate over another, as these things can come back and haunt you.

“The government needs to be more hard-headed in its approach to foreign relations.”

Ross Thomson, the former Conservative MP and MSP who was at Trump’s victory party in Florida and campaigned for the Republican, also criticised Mr Swinney’s intervention.

He said: “President Trump takes a keen interest in Scottish politics, he’s very aware of how hostile the SNP have been towards his businesses and him personally. Swinney had the opportunity to repair that damage.

“It’s bad politics, bad diplomacy. The first minister should hold himself to a higher standard and put Scotland first. But he just couldn’t help himself and now he has egg all over his face.”

Scottish Lib Dem leader Alex Cole-Hamilton faced a roasting on social media this week after his cringeworthy response to Mr Trump’s presidential win.

The MSP – who travelled to the US to campaign for Kamala Harris last month – took to X/Twitter and said: “I’ll never forget or regret my time helping out or the people I met. Just I wish I’d done more.”

But his comments sparked a backlash, with some on social media branding it “idiotic” and “pathetic” – with MSPs privately mocking him in Holyrood for having “done enough”.

Cole-Hamilton even changed his X username to Alex Cole-“Hamala” in support of Ms Harris.

It comes after the Edinburgh Western MSP was slammed for taking leave to campaign in the US for Trump’s Democrat opponent.

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