Rod Stewart tells King Charles he put Donald Trump “in his place” at King’s Trust event

Rod Stewart told King Charles that the monarch had put Donald Trump “in his place” during a meeting in London on Monday, May 11, at an event marking the 50th anniversary of the King’s Trust, formerly the Prince’s Trust.

Stewart made the remark as he praised Charles for his recent visit to the US and the summit with Trump. “You were superb. Absolutely superb. You put that little ratbag in his place,” he said, with the King appearing to laugh.

Charles met Trump during a four-day visit to the US last month. The trip included talks about the “indispensable alliance” between the UK and the States, calls for America to continue supporting Ukraine, and a reminder of NATO’s importance. At the state banquet, the King also joked that America might be “speaking French” without British involvement.

Rod Stewart’s latest comments follow previous criticism of Trump

Stewart’s comments come months after he attacked Trump over false claims about British troops in Afghanistan and urged UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Reform UK leader Nigel Farage to press the president for an apology. Trump had questioned whether NATO allies would help defend America and suggested some countries had avoided front-line service in Afghanistan.

“It hurts me badly, deeply, when I read that draft dodger Trump has criticised our troops in Afghanistan for not being on the front line,” Stewart said in a video shared on social media. He pointed to the scale of British losses in the conflict, noting that 457 UK service personnel were killed.

“We lost over 400 of our guys… Think of their parents. Think about it. And Trump calls them almost like cowards. It’s unbearable,” he added.

He has also spoken about his former relationship with Trump, who used to be his neighbour. Stewart said they were once close, but that changed when Trump entered politics. “Since he became President, he became another guy. Somebody I didn’t know,” he said.

Stewart later said Trump’s role in Israel’s war in Gaza made any reconciliation impossible. “No, I can’t anymore. As long as he’s selling arms to the Israelis — and he still is. How’s that war ever gonna stop?” he said.

In March 2025, Stewart also commented on Trump’s clash with Volodymyr Zelenskyy, saying that “we must keep supporting the Ukrainians”. His remarks came after a White House press conference between the two men turned into a heated exchange, with Trump saying Zelenskyy was “not ready for peace” and “gambling with World War Three”.

Rare moment for King Charles at the Kings Trust event as Sir Rod Stewart tells him of his recent state visit to the US: ‘May I say well done in the Americas. You were superb. Absolutely superb. You put that little rat bag in his place! pic.twitter.com/geZiqSPC2U

— Rock Photography (@Photomusicrock) May 12, 2026