In brief
The former chief of staff to UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson recounts being surprised by former president Donald Trump’s humor in his initial call with new PM Sir Keir Starmer. Trump made a joke about foxes feasting on birds killed by wind turbines, prompting laughter from the British officials. McSweeney verified that Trump deliberately aimed to be funny, noting the joke had the room almost bursting with laughter. The exchange illustrates how political dialogue can transcend party lines and lighten tense negotiations. MPs and aides alike noted the brief levity amid serious checks‑and‑balances.
Boris Johnson’s former chief of staff, Morgan McSweeney, surprised BBC reporters with a story about former U.S. President Donald Trump’s sense of humor, revealed during an early phone call between Trump and the newly elected UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer.
When Trump cracked a joke about foxes devouring birds that had been killed by “windmills” – his slang for wind turbines – McSweeney said the British officials “barely contained themselves.” The punch‑line, describing how the foxes became fat and lazy, became the reason for many laughing in the room.
“He was clearly trying to be funny—definitely.”
McSweeney confirmed that Trump deliberately engineered the joke as a light‑hearted opening to what was, on the surface, a very formal international conversation. The moment offered a mundane reminder that politics can cross partisan lines when a single quip is delivered.
The broader conversation—concerning bilateral trade, climate policy and post‑Brexit diplomacy—continued in earnest, but the brief shared chuckle offered a glimpse of camaraderie that allides officials across continents. Both sides seemed to acknowledge that, while policy decisions were crucial, a touch of humor could bridge diplomatic gaps and ease the high tension often associated with diplomatic negotiations.
This anecdote highlights the unpredictable side of political discourse. Even in an era where public relations are carefully choreographed, a single joke can dissolve barriers and remind political stakeholders that they share a common human tendency to laugh.
