Operator renames pub the Trump Arms for president's visit

A west London pub is being rebranded as the Trump Arms in honour of US President Donald Trump’s visit to the UK on Friday 13 July.

The visit, which coincides with Theresa May’s second anniversary as Prime Minister, is expected to be met by protests, including the flying of a blimp depicting the 45th president of the US as an angry orange baby over London.

However, Damien Smyth, the landlord of the Jameson pub in Hammersmith, west London, will host a welcome party – where guests will be treated to a barbecue and Trump-themed cocktails – and display a banner bearing the venue’s temporary name, the Trump Arms.

Tickets to the two-day welcome party designed to replicate the atmosphere of a campaign rally will cost £32. White House aide Steve Bannon, who is likely to be in London during the state visit, and former UKIP leader Nigel Farage, have been invited to the event.

Smyth, whose wife Marian is from New York, told the Evening Standard: “There are many Trump supporters around here who will be happy to see it.

“I was talking to regulars who are looking forward to the visit and I said ‘Let’s set up the Trump Arms while he is here’.”

Hammersmith local Patrick Sullivan who volunteered to organise the event told the Evening Standard: “Trump has kick started the US economy, bombed evil Assad and disarmed North Korea.

“It is right that such a key ally of Britain gets a warm welcome and that our country sends a clear message that we value the special relationship.”

Smyth expressed doubts that the president would stop by for a pint but said he would “have a pint of stout ready for him in case”.