Billy Bragg has shared his backing for a London protest against Donald Trump’s upcoming UK visit.
The US president and the first lady, Melania, are set to arrive in the UK later today (Tuesday September 16). They will begin their trip by heading to Windsor Castle’s private estate this evening, where they will be hosted by King Charles and given a ceremonial welcome.
On Thursday (September 18), they will then head to Sir Keir Starmer’s country home in Buckinghamshire, Chequers, to meet the UK prime minister and his wife, according to The Independent.
The upcoming visit has been met by much backlash, and there are multiple protests scheduled to take place during the president’s visit. There will be demonstrations from the Stop Trump Coalition on Windsor high street this evening, and tomorrow (17) will see a mass march through the centre of London and a mass rally at Parliament Square.
Among those backing the protests is Billy Bragg, who has taken to social media to promote the central London gathering, and explain why he sees the visit as a “humiliation” for the UK.
He shared a poster for the ‘National demonstration against Trump’s state visit’, which calls for people to assemble tomorrow at Portland Place at 2pm, before joining the rally at 5pm. In the caption, he shared: “Donald Trump’s visit to the UK this week is a moment of national humiliation. He will regard the red carpet rolled out for him as an act of fealty that gives him the right to punish the UK should we do anything that displeases him.”
“Sucking up to bullies never pays off. They sense weakness and revel in exploiting it,” Bragg added. “This Wednesday, we have a chance to show not just that Trump is not welcome, but also that we reject the Trumpification of UK politics.
“I’ll be playing some songs at the Stop Trump rally in Parliament Square. Hope to see you there.”
This is far from the first time that Bragg has gotten involved in politics over the years. Last summer he put forward a“radical” way to “kick the Tories into third place” at 2024 UK General Election, and criticised Rishi Sunak and his Tory government for their comments against the trans community.
In 2025, Bragg has shared a new single called ‘Hundred Year Hunger’, in which he expresses his solidarity with the people of Palestine, and shared his backing for Kneecap amid one of the members being charged with a terror offence for their on-stage comments.
Outlets including The Times have shared that a “very high threat level” has been declared at Windsor Castle ahead of Trump’s visit, and that security will be on high alert especially given the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk last week.