JOHN Swinney has defended congratulating Donald Trump on his victory in the US presidential election.
Soon after the result became clear on Wednesday, the First Minister congratulated the Republican candidate on Twitter/X, who beat Democrat Kamala Harris in both the popular vote and the Electoral College.
It came after Swinney previously endorsed Harris for the presidency, which Trump labelled as "appalling".
Swinney also penned a letter to Trump and his vice president-elect JD Vance later on Wednesday to, again, convey his congratulations.
The letter stated: "We greatly appreciate the strong and lasting social, cultural and economic ties we have with the United States and are sure that these will continue to flourish during your Presidency.
"I wish you every success in your new role."
But at First Minister’s Questions on Thursday, Scottish Greens co-leader Patrick Harvie (below) condemned the move.
He said: “The First Minister offered congratulations to the convicted felon, Donald Trump, on his re-election.
“Writing officially on behalf of the Scottish Government, he wrote that he is sure Scotland's cultural and social ties with the US will flourish during the presidency of a misogynist, a climate denier, a fraudster, a conspiracy monger, a racist, a far-right politician who tried to overturn an election result, both covertly and by inciting violence.
“Words fail me.”
Harvie then asked: “What social and cultural ties does the First Minister really think will benefit from a relationship with such a man?
“And, more importantly, what has the First Minister done so far to reach out to the marginalised and vulnerable people whose lives are most directly threatened by a second Trump term?”
Swinney replied that he has a “duty” as First Minister to “engage with other governments” and to “represent the people of Scotland” in that process.
He then reiterated that the cultural, social and economic ties between Scotland and the United States are “important” for both employment and cultural expression.
“Whilst there are very clear differences, as I said before the presidential election, very big and real differences in expression, in priority and in way of life between me and Donald Trump, I cannot deny the existence of links between Scotland and the United States,” Swinney added.
“And regardless of the presidential choice in the United States, I want to maintain good relationships between Scotland and the United States.”
In response to the question of reaching out to marginalised and vulnerable people, the First Minister said their concerns are something that he “wrestles with every single day”.
Harvie then hit out at Swinney’s choice of words, highlighting the SNP leader saying he and Trump have “big differences of priority”.
The Scottish Greens co-leader said: “This sounds like extraordinary complacency at a time of incredible danger for the world.
“The re-election of Trump is particularly dangerous for climate policy. This is someone who has peddled climate conspiracy theories for many years. But such threats exist in Scotland, too.”
