Trump Labels U.K. 'Stupidity' as Speaker Mike Johnson Seeks to 'Calm the Waters' in Historic Parliament Address

In a rare and symbolic visit to Westminster, U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson on Tuesday said he traveled to Britain to "calm the waters" between the United States and Europe. His conciliatory tone came as London absorbed fresh diplomatic shocks from President Donald Trump, who publicly denounced the U.K.'s handling of the Chagos Islands and has continued to alarm allies with comments about Greenland.

Historic Address, Tense Backdrop

Johnson, a Republican from Louisiana, became the first sitting U.S. House speaker to address British lawmakers directly during a ceremony marking 250 years since American independence. He described the opportunity as a "profound honor," likening the visit to a return to what he called the "spiritual birthplace" of the United States.

Johnson largely avoided naming recent disputes, instead emphasizing the long-standing ideological foundations of the U.S.-U.K. "special relationship" and urging continued calm and cooperation. "We have always been able to work through our differences calmly as friends," he told members of Parliament. "We will continue to do that. I want to assure you this morning that that is still the case."

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer welcomes Johnson to 10 Downing St. on Monday in London. (Leon Neal / Getty Images)(Leon Neal)

"My mission here today was to encourage our friends and help to calm the waters, so to speak," Johnson said, recalling that when the trip was planned last fall, "we didn't know how the events would develop over the last few days."

What Sparked the Diplomatic Friction

The visit was overshadowed by two prominent issues tied to President Trump: his sharp online attack on Britain's decision to return the Chagos Islands to Mauritius and renewed comments about Greenland that have unsettled European partners. In a Truth Social post late Monday, Trump called the Chagos handover an act of "great stupidity" and "total weakness," reversing elements of his administration's earlier posture toward the deal.

Mauritius contends it was forced to cede the archipelago during the process of gaining independence from Britain. Under the agreement, the U.K. and the U.S. will retain a 99-year lease on the strategically important Diego Garcia military base — a point the British government highlighted while defending the decision as securing the base "for generations."

Domestic and International Reactions

Johnson's warm, measured remarks contrasted with the sharper rhetoric of some MAGA-aligned figures such as Sen. J.D. Vance. Johnson invoked shared democratic traditions and leaders including Abraham Lincoln and Winston Churchill, and spoke of defending "fundamental freedoms of speech," "secure borders," and "strong and lethal militaries."

Hoyle and Johnson in the House of Commons, on Monday, in London. (Jordan Pettitt / Getty Images)(Jordan Pettitt)

Sir Lindsay Hoyle, Speaker of the House of Commons, echoed the friendly tone in his introduction, joking about a shared history that began with the Boston Tea Party. But opposition figures at home criticized the UK's approach to the spat: Liberal Democrats leader Ed Davey said the episode showed that "appeasing a bully never works."

Where Things Stand

The British government defended the Chagos agreement as the best means of protecting the long-term function of the Diego Garcia base and said the arrangement has the backing of Washington and other allies. Meanwhile, Johnson's visit aimed to reassure partners and emphasize continuity in U.S.-U.K. ties despite provocative statements from the U.S. president.

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com.