President Donald Trump’s administration has escalated tensions with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer over the United Kingdom’s Online Safety Act, with Washington issuing stern warnings about what it characterizes as threats to American free speech and business interests.
The diplomatic friction intensified during a private Monday meeting between Trump and Starmer at Trump’s Turnberry golf course in Scotland on July 28.
Trump addressed several sensitive issues during the meeting and press conference, ranging from Jeffrey Epstein to questions about whether Truth Social is facing censorship in the UK.
Trump expressed concerns about potential censorship of his Truth Social platform. When asked about the UK’s new powers to regulate social media sites, Trump jokingly told Starmer to “please uncensor my site,” while suggesting that any censorship would be a mistake.
Trump joined the discussion by mentioning that First Lady Melania Trump had promoted an anti-bullying initiative known as the Take It Down Act. However, the president soon shifted back to joking about Starmer possibly censoring Truth Social.
A senior State Department official confirmed the administration’s position, stating that President Trump has made clear that free speech is among Americans’ most cherished freedoms. The official indicated that the United States has taken decisive action against foreign actors engaging in extraterritorial censorship affecting American companies and citizens, adding that they will continue monitoring UK developments with great interest and concern.
It’s apparent that Trump misunderstood the law, and he seems to believe it’s acceptable for a country’s leader to silence criticism whenever they choose. This mindset has been a consistent pattern throughout his time in office—he frequently attacks American broadcast networks, and just last weekend, he even suggested that the FCC should revoke the licenses of TV channels he claims serve as “political pawns of the Democrat Party.”
The Online Safety Act, which came into full effect on July 25, requires social media companies to implement age verification checks and meet strict rules regarding harmful content. Under the legislation, platforms face fines up to 18 million pounds or 10 percent of their annual revenue if they fail to remove content deemed harmful. The law affects major American technology companies including Apple, Truth Social, and X, prompting strong reactions from Washington.
Congressman Jim Jordan, chair of the House Judiciary GOP committee, characterized the law as an attack on American companies, suggesting Apple could view it as a 500 million dollar assault. Jordan raised concerns about the bill’s impact on American citizens and companies, arguing it infringes on First Amendment rights. He met with Peter Kyle, the Science Secretary, on Wednesday to discuss these concerns.
The Trump administration has been monitoring the Online Safety Act with particular attention since Ofcom, the UK’s online regulator, began writing to American firms ordering compliance with the new regulations. This regulatory reach has sparked outrage from American lawmakers and legal experts who view it as foreign overreach attempting to silence American companies and citizens.
Starmer defended the legislation during the Scotland meeting, explaining that the measures target sites encouraging suicide among young people rather than censoring free speech. The Prime Minister emphasized that the UK has maintained free speech protections for a very long time and will continue to do so, framing the issue as child protection rather than censorship.
The diplomatic pressure represents part of Trump’s broader willingness to intervene in British domestic affairs. In May, the administration sent officials from the Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labour to London to meet with British pro-life activists over censorship concerns. Led by Samuel Samson, a senior adviser in the State Department, they challenged Ofcom directly about the Online Safety Act.
Social media platforms including X, Reddit and TikTok have been forced to introduce age verification checks since the bill took effect. Critics argue the law pressures platforms into censoring users by removing legal content that others find objectionable, creating a chilling effect on legitimate speech.
The transatlantic dispute highlights growing tensions over digital regulation and free speech protections between the United States and European nations. American technology companies increasingly face regulatory challenges from foreign governments seeking to control online content, creating friction between traditional allies over fundamental questions of speech rights and platform responsibility.
At the press conference with reporters, Trump was also questioned about Jeffrey Epstein, the deceased pedophile who died in jail in 2019. Specifically, he was asked about the reasons for his falling out with Epstein, as several theories have circulated about why their 15-year friendship ended. Some of Trump’s supporters claim that Epstein was banned from Mar-a-Lago for hitting on a member’s daughter, while others suggest a dispute over a real estate deal damaged their relationship. However, Trump appeared to offer a different reason for their split.
Trump stated that for years he had no involvement with Jeffrey Epstein. He explained that he ended contact with Epstein because of Epstein’s inappropriate behavior, including “stealing” his staff despite being warned not to. According to Trump, when Epstein repeated this conduct, he was banned from Trump’s properties and became persona non grata. Trump said that was the end of their association and emphasized that he was glad he made that decision.
When asked if any of the employees who were “stolen” were young women, Trump confirmed that many of them worked at the club’s spa.
Yes, they worked in the spa, he responded. I told him, ‘We don’t want you taking our staff, whether they’re from the spa or elsewhere.’ Trump said he understood, but not long after, Epstein did it again.
Trump was also questioned directly about whether Epstein had taken Virginia Giuffre, a well-known abuse survivor who was outspoken in demanding Epstein’s arrest. Giuffre, who died by suicide in April, had said that she met Ghislaine Maxwell, Epstein’s associate, while working at Mar-a-Lago as a teen.
“I think she worked at the spa,” Trump said. “I think so. I think that was one of the people. He stole her, and by the way, she had no complaints about us, as you know, none whatsoever.”
Trump, without being prompted by any reporter, insisted that he never “had the privilege” of visiting the island associated with Jeffrey Epstein, contrasting himself with Bill Clinton, whom he claimed visited dozens of times. He went on to mention others, such as former Harvard president Larry Summers, who he believed had also been there, pointing out that prominent figures like them rarely face scrutiny.
Donald Trump claimed—without offering any proof—that Democrats might have changed files related to Jeffrey Epstein to make innocent people look guilty. He suggested that fake names could have been added to the files. Trump also said he wasn’t informed by Attorney General Pam Bondi about these files, even though a news outlet had reported that he was told back in May that his name appeared in them.
Trump was then asked about possibly pardoning Ghislaine Maxwell, who worked with Epstein and is in prison for trafficking underage girls. Trump says he has the power to pardon her, but no one has talked to him about doing it, and he thinks it wouldn’t be right to discuss it now.