The British public have mocked President Trump’s decision to cancel his planned trip to London over the relocation of the country’s embassy.
Mr Trump said he thought the embassy’s move from Grosvenor Square in Mayfair to Nine Elms, south of the Thames, was a “bad deal” and the building was in an “off location”.
But the prospect of demonstrations against his appearance could also have been a factor in the president’s decision to cancel the visit.
Jokes at the president’s expense, including poking fun at the inaccuracy of his statement and comparing him to a London taxi driver for refusing to travel south of the River Thames, flooded social media.
Hundreds of replies to the president’s tweet took issue with the idea that his predecessor Barack Obama was the person who authorised the change of location.
One such reply from Andy Greatbatch read: “That’s just not true Donald. The decision to move the U.S embassy in London was initiated by G.W Bush’s administration. You can’t keep blaming your wonderful predecessor. The fact is the UK people don’t want you to visit the UK and you know that.”
Some Londoners humorously noted that they too would resist crossing the Thames.
Twitter user @looksquiteyoung wrote: “To be fair this is normally my reaction to getting invited somewhere south of the river too…”
Others, however, praised the Nine Elms and Battersea area. Twitter user Mary Beatrice posted:
“@realDonaldTrump “Off location”? Babe, south of the river is where it’s at. But you’re right, we didn’t want you here anyway.”
For some online, the practicalities of the president opening a building were a source of mirth.
“I can’t believe for a second you would be trusted with scissors!” said Allan Lindsay.
Many of the replies to Trump’s tweet solely featured pictures of the Queen laughing and smiling.