Donald Trump opens golf course in Scotland, takes aim at UK’s Keir Starmer over North Sea oil taxes

It wasn’t just putts and bagpipes at Donald Trump’s grand opening of his new lavish golf course in Scotland as the US President launched a stunning attack on the UK government.

US President Donald Trump has hit out at Britain’s Labour government led by Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer for making poor decisions that have hit households with higher energy costs.

During his five-day private trip to Scotland Mr Trump has repeatedly attacked energy decisions made in the UK including the establishment of wind farms which can be seen all over the Scottish countryside – many turbines are located close to his multiple golf courses.

Mr Trump opened his new world-class Trump International 18-hole golf course at the Menie estate at Aberdeenshire in northeast Scotland on Tuesday morning (Tuesday night AEST) and launched an online attack on the UK’s energy decisions that he said are hurting households.

Donald Trump cut a bright red ribbon to officially open his new 18-hole golf course at the Menie estate at Aberdeenshire. Picture: Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images

Mr Trump was followed onto the course by dozens of marching bagpipers. Picture: AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin

He posted on his social media platform Truth Social: “North Sea Oil is a TREASURE CHEST for the United Kingdom.

“The taxes are so high, however, that it makes no sense.

“They have essentially told drillers and oil companies that, ‘we don’t want you’.

“Incentivise the drillers, FAST. A VAST FORTUNE TO BE MADE for the UK, and far lower energy costs for the people!”

UK Chancellor Rachel Reeves announced a tax increase on oil companies at last year’s budget to 38 per cent while they also have included additional tax charges.

In front of invited VIPs including golfers, Scotland’s First Minister John Swinney and media, Mr Trump opened the lavish course alongside his children including Donald Trump Jr and Eric and said, “we love Scotland”.

He was followed onto the course by dozens of marching bagpipers before he cut a bright red ribbon to officially open the new course before a short time later teeing off.

Before he took to the golf course in overcast conditions, Mr Trump said: “We started with a beautiful piece of land, but we made it much more beautiful.

“The area has really welcomed us. If you remember at the beginning there wasn’t quite a welcome, but it wasn’t bad.

“But with time they liked us more and more, now they love us and we love them.”

Mr Trump also teed off on Sir Keir Starmer for making poor decisions that have hit households with higher energy costs. Picture: Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images

About 5000 police officers have been deployed during Mr Trump’s visit which includes officers on horseback, quad bikes and motorbikes with many scouring the areas in and alongside his golf courses.

Road closures and checkpoints have also remained in place at both Trump Turnberry in South Ayrshire at the Menie Estate.

During his talks with Sir Keir on Monday he applauded the British government’s moves to proceed with nuclear energy and described it as “Rolls Royce nuclear plans” and said “it’s safe and inexpensive”.

Mr Trump said Sir Keir had “Rolls Royce nuclear plans” and described nuclear energy as “safe and very inexpensive”.

The 79-year-old is due to leave Scotland on Tuesday evening.