A top political strategist is warning King Charles III to stay far, far away from the United States this spring — unless he’s ready for a full-blown political firestorm.
Steve Schmidt, co-founder of the Lincoln Project and the Save America Movement, says the monarch’s rumored 2026 visit could instantly turn him into a “propaganda tool” for President Donald Trump. And if that happens, Schmidt claims his group is prepared to launch a “no-holds-barred” ad blitz targeting the crown.
The warning came during an appearance on The Daily Beast Podcast, where Schmidt said the quiet part out loud: a royal trip meant to celebrate America’s 250th anniversary could devolve into a political circus.
According to Schmidt, the palace hasn’t confirmed the visit — but Trump has already teased it, bragging about inviting Charles after his highly choreographed state visit to Windsor Castle last fall. Trump was reportedly charmed by the royal pageantry and wasted no time imagining a return favor.
Schmidt’s take? Bad idea.
“I have a message for the king,” he said. “He should not come to America in 2026.”
Schmidt claimed that if Charles lands on U.S. soil and even appears to boost Trump during a tense political climate, the Save America Movement will unleash ads the UK “would never allow,” including massive public projections — similar to the infamous Trump-Epstein images that once lit up buildings in Britain.
“I will project images onto buildings in New York City,” Schmidt said. “I will run ad campaigns that boggle the British imagination.”
His group has already experimented with overseas messaging — including ads in Denmark mocking Trump’s push to acquire Greenland — and says they’re more than ready to scale things up.
The strategist also pointed out that America’s break from monarchy was built on George Washington’s refusal to act like a king. King George III even praised him for it. Schmidt argues Trump has abandoned that kind of humility, making any royal visit feel like a political endorsement whether intended or not.
“If the king comes to Washington, it will be a celebration of Donald Trump in a moment of existential crisis for American democracy,” he warned.
The White House and Buckingham Palace have yet to comment.
King Charles last visited the U.S. in 2018 to attend the funeral of former President George H. W. Bush — a much calmer moment in U.S.-U.K. relations compared to the volatile climate Schmidt is describing today.
No matter WHAT President trump does, SOMEBODY doesn’t like it ! So he may as well invite Charlie to the party ! It will make great press for SOMEBODY !
“Grave danger?” “Is there any other kind?”
Nobody voted for Trump to be humble, they voted for brazen, deporting, tough on crime.