By JAMIE BULLEN, LIVE COVERAGE EDITOR and JAMES TAPSFIELD, UK POLITICAL EDITOR and DAVID WILCOCK, DEPUTY POLITICAL EDITOR and GREG HEFFER, POLITICAL CORRESPONDENT and SAM CHISHOLM and CHARLIE SPIERING, US POLITICAL REPORTER and REBECCA ENGLISH, ROYAL EDITOR and NIKKI SCHWAB, CHIEF CAMPAIGN CORRESPONDENT Updated: 23:24 BST, 18 September 2025
Donald Trump has boarded Air Force One at Stansted Airport, bringing his historic second state visit to a close. The US President took hold of First Lady Melania's hand and clenched his fist as he exited Marine One before boarding the US aircraft. Trump stood at the top of the aircraft steps, raised a clenched fist in the air and pointed before he and Melania boarded the plane at about 5.40pm. Air Force One left Stansted at around 5.53pm and will now fly back to Washington. The Maga leader had earlier admitted he has a 'few disagreements' with Keir Starmer including his plans for the official recognition of Palestine during a tense press conference at Chequers.The President also urged Starmer to deploy the military to stop the Channel boats crisis 'destroying' Britain and encouraged the UK to drill more in the North Sea.On Starmer's plans to recognise Palestine, Trump also bluntly stated that he 'disagreed' with the Prime Minister.The interventions came as the leaders wrapped up a State Visit with the PM hailing the 'renewed' Special Relationship and his 'friendship' with Mr Trump.Speaking at Chequers, Starmer insisted that Vladimir Putin's strikes on Ukraine were 'not the actions of someone who wants peace'.In some of his toughest language which will be welcomed by No10, Mr Trump said Putin had 'let me down, he's really let me down'.Follow the Daily Mail's recap from the last day of Donald Trump's state visitThis live blog has now closed.Thank you for following our coverage on Donald Trump's final day of his state visit. For more coverage head over to the Daily Mail homepage:21:20Trump claims he banned Sadiq Khan from state visitDonald Trump has extraordinarily claimed that he blocked Sir Sadiq Khan from attending any of the events for his state visit. Trump said Sir Sadiq 'wanted to be there' but 'I didn't want him' in a scathing attack in which he dubbed him one of the worst mayors in the world. The American leader, 79, said: 'I think the mayor of London Khan is among the worst mayors in the world, and we have some bad ones.'He wanted to be there. As I understand it, I didn't want it. I've not liked him for a long time.'21:05Trump tells Starmer to use military to stop small boatsDonald Trump told Keir Starmer to call in the military to stop the boats - or risk Britain being 'destroyed from within' by illegal immigration.The US President, whose harsh border controls have slashed illegal migration to near zero, said the UK was now facing a 'very similar' problem in the Channel and had to take much tougher action.At a joint press conference with the Prime Minister at Chequers, Mr Trump hailed the 'incredible bond' between Britain and the US - and spoke at length about his love for 'these beautiful isles'.20:08Trump's helicopter made emergency landingDonald Trump's Marine One helicopter was forced to make an emergency landing before the US President arrived at Stansted Airport earlier today. The presidential chopper suffered a hydraulic issue on its way from Chequers.Mr Trump, who had been visiting the UK for a historic second state visit, arrived at his destination 20 minutes behind schedule.It is understood that the helicopter landed at Luton Airport - where the President and First Lady were transferred onto a second 'support' chopper.19:35Trump: Keir Starmer is a very fine guyDonald Trump has told Fox News he thinks Sir Keir Starmer is 'a very fine guy'. In an interview recorded earlier today at Chequers before the US President departed the UK, Trump told the PM to 'take a very strong stand on immigration' and warned that it was 'really hurting him badly'.18:0217:52Watch: Behind the scenes of Trump's state visitTrump's aides have given a sneak peek behind the scenes of the US President's visit to the UK. 17:28Analysis: Mr Trump was 'playing nice' PM Sir Keir Starmer will feel like he has come off rather well during his press conference with Trump, writes our political editor James Tapsfield. By normal diplomatic standards, that was a press conference stuffed with open disagreement and stinging jibes.But it says a lot about Donald Trump’s extraordinary brand of confrontational politics that Keir Starmer will feel like he has come off rather well.Yes, the president told him to deploy the military to stop Channel boats. Yes, he dismissed the UK’s plan to recognise Palestine, urged more drilling in the North Sea, and took a potshot over free speech.However, the barbs were almost accidental, and none of them were fatal. Mr Trump was undoubtedly doing his best to ‘play nice’.After a disastrous few weeks for the PM, Downing Street will count that as a much-needed win, with the Special Relationship still on track.The question now is can Sir Keir use that hint of momentum to stabilise his teetering government, and start clawing back Nigel Farage’s huge poll advantage?16:52In pictures: Trump exits the UK 16:42The US President has boarded Air Force One at Stansted Airport. Trump will now head back to the US, with his departure bringing his unprecedented second state visit to a close. 16:12Watch: Trump and wife Melania depart ChequersPresident Trump and First Lady Melania have both now left Chequers, bringing the US leader's second state visit to an end. Mr Trump briefly raised a clenched fist as he stood at the door of Chequers alongside Sir Keir Starmer and their wives, Melania and Victoria, while two RAF pipers played Scotland The Brave.He then shook hands with the Prime Minister before being driven to his waiting Marine One helicopter.Trump will now be flown to Stansted Airport where he will board Air Force One and head back to America. 15:55Trump boards Marine One as he heads to StanstedDonald and Melania Trump have now boarded Marine One as they travel to London Stansted.The President and First Lady will then hop on to Air Force One before returning to Washington.
