During the official dinner at the White House, King Charles told Donald Trump that Americans would be speaking French if the British had not also colonized North America. He responded this way to Trump’s statements at Davos when he told Europeans: “Without American support during World War II, you’d be speaking German and a little Japanese.”
In his toast, King Charles referenced the British and French roots of many place names in the US due to the historical settlement by colonists from the two major competing European powers. “You recently commented, Mr. President, that without the United States, European countries would be speaking German. I dare say that without us, you’d be speaking French,” he said, prompting laughter from dinner guests.
But that wasn’t the only joke Charles made during his dinner speech. He also spoke about the “modifications” to the White House regarding Trump’s dream plan to build a ballroom in place of the East Wing.
Trump: I want to congratulate Charles on his fantastic speech to Congress, he got the Democrats to stand up
“I regret to inform you that we British attempted our own White House renovation plan in 1814,” referring to when British soldiers burned down the building.
King Charles continued by saying that the official dinner represents “a significant improvement over the Boston Tea Party” of 1773, when colonists threw heavily taxed British tea cargo into the sea.
Then it was Trump’s turn to attempt humor. “I want to congratulate Charles on his fantastic speech today to Congress. He got the Democrats to stand up, something I could never do.”
Both leaders celebrated the “special bond” that unites London and Washington, despite their disagreements.
King Charles presented his counterpart with a bell from the British submarine HMS Trump, which entered service in 1994: “Let it be a witness to our countries’ shared history and their bright future. And if you ever want to talk to us, don’t hesitate to ring.”
King Charles III:
Indeed, you recently commented, Mr. President, that if it were not for the United States, European countries would be speaking German.
Dare I say that if it wasn’t for us, you’d be speaking French. pic.twitter.com/86cQS14McX
— Clash Report (@clashreport) April 29, 2026
