Former U.S. President Donald Trump has claimed he had no prior knowledge of UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s recent remarks on Palestinian statehood, telling reporters aboard Air Force One that the subject was not discussed during their weekend meeting in Scotland. “We never discussed this, surprisingly ... maybe a little bit at the news conference, but he was sort of discussing it with you,” Trump said. “We never did discuss it, and we have no view on that.” The statement drew attention given the Trump administration’s historically firm opposition to Palestinian state recognition. Trump an

Former U.S. President Donald Trump has claimed he had no prior knowledge of UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s recent remarks on Palestinian statehood, telling reporters aboard Air Force One that the subject was not discussed during their weekend meeting in Scotland.

“We never discussed this, surprisingly ... maybe a little bit at the news conference, but he was sort of discussing it with you,” Trump said. “We never did discuss it, and we have no view on that.”

The statement drew attention given the Trump administration’s historically firm opposition to Palestinian state recognition. Trump and his officials have consistently taken a hard line on the issue, often tying recognition to the broader U.S.-Israel alliance and regional security concerns. Following French President Emmanuel Macron’s announcement last week that France would formally recognize the State of Palestine, Trump dismissed the move, saying Macron’s “statement doesn’t carry weight.” U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio went further, calling it a “reckless decision” that “only serves Hamas propaganda and sets back peace.” The U.S. State Department has also condemned this week’s United Nations conference on a two-state solution [co-chaired by France and Saudi Arabia] describing it as a “gift to Hamas.” When asked whether the current moment presents an opportunity to pressure Israel toward a lasting peace agreement, Trump remained critical. “You could make the case that you’re rewarding people, you’re rewarding Hamas, if you do that, and I don’t think they should be rewarded, so I’m not in that camp, to be honest … because if you do that you really are rewarding Hamas,” he said.

—Reporting with ABC

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