Sir Keir Starmer and Donald Trump held a joint press conference at Chequers, the UK Prime Minister’s country residence, marking the conclusion of Trump’s second state visit to the UK. The hour-long event covered a range of topics, from international relations to domestic policies, with both leaders addressing contentious issues diplomatically. One of the key points of discussion was the UK’s imminent recognition of Palestinian statehood, a move Trump had previously criticized as potentially rewarding Hamas. However, Trump downplayed the disagreement, stating it was one of only a few differences between him and Starmer. Starmer clarified that the timing of the decision was unrelated to Trump’s visit and emphasized that Hamas would have no role in any future Palestinian state. Trump praised Starmer’s stance, even giving him a pat on the back during the conference. Another hot topic was the UK’s efforts to curb illegal migration, particularly the record number of small boat crossings in the English Channel. Trump suggested that Starmer consider involving the military, drawing parallels to his own border security policies in the US. Starmer highlighted the recent launch of the first flight under the UK-France migrant returns deal as a significant step forward. Both leaders also united in condemning Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, with Starmer criticizing recent Russian missile attacks and Trump expressing disappointment in Vladimir Putin’s actions. Trump admitted he had hoped the Russia-Ukraine conflict would be easier to resolve but reaffirmed his commitment to finding a peaceful solution. The issue of free speech also surfaced, with Starmer vowing to protect it as a fundamental British value while balancing it with necessary safeguards. The press conference concluded without addressing the recent dismissal of Lord Mandelson as the UK’s US ambassador, a decision linked to his past association with Jeffrey Epstein. Trump distanced himself from Mandelson, stating he did not know him well, while Starmer reiterated that the decision was based on new information about Mandelson’s ties to Epstein.