Trump and Farage meet to discuss ‘freedom and winning’

TWO of the world’s most polarising men, US President-elect Donald Trump and Brexit campaigner Nigel Farage, have met to talk “freedom and winning”.

Donald Trump and Nigel Farage met at Trump Tower over the weekend to talk “freedom and winning”.

US President-elect Donald Trump and Brexit campaigner Nigel Farage — who caused two of the world’s biggest political earthquakes of our time — have met in New York to discuss “freedom and winning”.

Mr Farage’s successful Brexit campaign for the UK to leave the European Union and Mr Trump's victory over Hillary Clinton in the US presidential election were both driven by voters turning against establishments and mainstream politicians.

It appears the similarities between the polarising characters has strengthened their bond.

A senior adviser to Mr Trump confirmed that the president-elect met UK Independence party leader Mr Farage at Trump Tower on Saturday.

Inside the tower, Trump’s campaign manager Kellyanne Conway told reporters the two men had discussed “freedom and winning” during the meeting.

“I think they enjoy each other’s company,” Ms Conway said.

Farage later indicated he and Trump had discussed the placing of a bust of Sir Winston Churchill “back in [the] Oval Office”.

After the meeting Mr Farage tweeted a photo of the pair grinning from ear to ear at Trump Tower. Mr Farage said “it was a great honour to spend time with” Mr Trump.

“He was relaxed and full of good ideas,” Mr Farage wrote.

“I’m confident he will be a good President.

“(Trump’s) support for the US-UK relationship is very strong. This is a man with whom we can do business.”

U.K. Independence Party leader Nigel Farage smiles as he arrives at Trump Tower in New York. Picture: AP Photo/ Evan Vucci.

It was a great honour to spend time with @realDonaldTrump. He was relaxed and full of good ideas. I'm confident he will be a good President. pic.twitter.com/kx8cGRHYPQ

— Nigel Farage (@Nigel_Farage) November 12, 2016

Mr Farage has become the first British politician to meet with Trump since his US election win.

The US President-elect hosted the euro-sceptic leader at his New York residence Trump Tower where they spent over an hour discussing the Republican’s “victory, global politics, and the status of Brexit”, according to a UKIP statement.

The meeting will be seen by some as an embarrassment for British Prime Minister Theresa May who spoke with Trump by telephone this week, but has yet to meet him in person.

Downing Street has denied reports that Farage will act as a “go-between” in British relations with the new US administration.

Farage stressed the importance of the Anglo-American relationship and asked Trump to return the bust of former British prime minister Winston Churchill to the Oval Office, the statement said.

Mr Farage later tweeted about Mr Trump’s response to his request.

“Especially pleased at Trump’s very positive reaction to idea that Sir Winston Churchill’s bust should be put back in Oval Office,” he wrote.

Farage threw his support behind the billionaire businessman during the US election campaign, attending a rally in Jackson, Mississippi in August and likening it to his own campaign to leave the European Union.

The shock outcome of the US election prompted many commentators to draw parallels with Britain’s June 23 referendum after Trump said the vote would be “Brexit plus plus plus”.

Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump, right, welcomes pro-Brexit British politician Nigel Farage, to speak at a campaign rally in Jackson, in August 2016. Picture: AP Photo/Gerald Herbert.

— with AFP