Full Breakdown
Rod Stewart Praises King Charles' U.S. Visit, Delivers a Sharp Remark About Donald Trump
5/12/2026, 9:42:19 PM
The King's Trust Celebration: Stewart's Praise and Provocative Remark
At the King’s Trust 50th-anniversary gala in London’s Royal Albert Hall on May 11, 2026, Sir Rod Stewart greeted King Charles III, saying, “May I say, well done in the Americas.” He then added, “You were superb. Absolutely superb. You put that little ratbag in his place.” The monarch smiled and laughed, but gave no verbal reply. The exchange was recorded and shared.
Context: Charles’ State Visit and Stewart’s Shifting View of Trump
King Charles III’s four-day state visit to the United States in April 2026 included a joint-session address to Congress, where he highlighted the “indispensable alliance” between the two nations, urged continued support for Ukraine, and stressed NATO’s relevance. He presented President Donald Trump with a gold-plated bell engraved “TRUMP.”
Rod Stewart, once a personal friend and Florida neighbor of Trump, has since criticized the former president. In January 2026 he called Trump a “draft-dodger” for questioning NATO troops’ courage in Afghanistan, and later said Trump’s arms sales to Israel ended their friendship.
Official Statements
In his congressional address, Charles warned that “the challenges we face are too great for any one nation to bear alone” and described the UK-US partnership as “indispensable” and built on eight decades of shared values. After the London gala, Trump praised the monarch, saying, “He made a great speech. I was very jealous.” Stewart has repeatedly said he can no longer count Trump as a friend due to the former president’s arms sales to Israel.
Criticism
Commentators said Stewart’s “little ratbag” comment risked breaching the royal tradition of political neutrality, given the king’s recent diplomatic engagement with Trump. Observers debated whether it was a direct jab or a broader critique, and the Royal Household has not issued a response.
Verbatim Quotes
- “You were superb. Absolutely superb. You put that little ratbag in his place.” — Rod Stewart, rock singer
- “He made a great speech. I was very jealous.” — Donald Trump, former U.S. president
- “Think about their parents. Think about it. And Trump calls them almost like cowards. It’s unbearable.” — Rod Stewart, rock singer
- “May I say, well done in the Americas,” — Rod Stewart, rock singer
Conflicting Reports
Sources differ on the king’s reaction: some describe a laugh, others note an “unclear comment” before Stewart turned to Queen Camilla. No official comment has been released, leaving the precise target of the “little ratbag” remark unconfirmed.
Data
The King’s Trust, founded by Charles in 1976, has helped over 1.3 million young people access education, jobs and training.
What’s Next
King Charles III’s U.S. visit is expected to reinforce transatlantic ties, with further diplomatic engagements anticipated.
