Trump raises eyebrows after saying US ‘needs more people like that’ about King and Queen of UK

President Donald Trump’s assertion Thursday that the United States needs more people like King Charles III and Queen Camilla garnered mixed reactions from people, some who saw it as a dog whistle for his preferred type of immigrants, and others who saw it as an ironic joke given U.S.-U.K. history.

As Charles and Camilla departed from the White House on the fourth day of their U.S. visit, the president praised the Royal family members.

“Great people,” Trump began as the car carrying the King and Queen drove away.

“We need more people like that in our country,” he added, putting his hand to his mouth as though he was making an aside comment.

Some people pointed out the irony of desiring a King and Queen in the U.S., given America broke from Great Britain 250 years ago and established itself as a republic.

“We for sure could use more kings and queens of England here in the U.S.,” Jeff Timmer, a senior adviser to The Lincoln Project, an anti-Trump PAC, wrote.

“Ridiculous,” Grace Chong, the CFO/COO of former Trump ally Steve Bannon’s show, wrote.

Others interpreted the president’s comments to be a thinly veiled attempt at stating his preference for a specific type of immigrant.

“White Anglo Saxon Protestants,” lawyer and legal analyst Jeffrey Evan Gold wrote.

“White people? Doesn’t even try and be discreet,” another X user said.

The president has used similar statements that vaguely refer to a group of people to describe his preference or support for something without directly saying it.

“Why can’t we have some people from Norway, Sweden?” Trump asked during a rally last year, while complaining that the U.S. allows “people from s***hole countries.” He listed Afghanistan, Haiti and Somalia as examples of “hellholes.”

The administration has restricted immigration from Afghanistan, Haiti, Somalia, Syria and other African and Middle Eastern countries. In addition to placing a full ban on at least 19 countries, the administration has also sought to reduce the number of refugees from Haiti and Syria.

Yet, Trump has expanded access for white South Africans, who the president says are facing persecution. The U.S. has accepted more than 4,000 white South African refugees and is considering expanding the program.