SKETCH: The British prime minister is not known for his charm, but he brought a secret weapon with him to disarm Trump, writes

The “special relationship” between the US and the UK got awkward Thursday, when Vice President JD Vance confronted British Prime Minister Keir Starmer in the Oval Office over the longtime American ally’s weakening of freedom of speech.

When asked about the comment during an Oval Office meeting with U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer, Trump said, “Did I say that? I can’t believe I said that. Next question.” Trump’s walk back came a day before Zelensky is set to meet with the president in the White House.

The letter captured by photographs and shown partially by Trump to reporters in the Oval Office says the British monarch remembers with “great fondness” Trump’s visit during his first term.

Donald Trump praised Sir Keir Starmer's “beautiful” accent as he pledged to continue the “special” relationship between the US and UK. The two leaders held a press conference following an earlier Oval Office meeting where the war in Ukraine and trade deals featured high on the agenda.

During an Oval Office meeting with UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, President Trump stated, “I think [Putin] will keep his word” on a Ukraine ceasefire, despite Russia’s history of breaking agreements.

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has spoken to US President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky following their extraordinary exchange in the Oval Office. A statement from No 10 on Friday night confirmed the prime minister had spoken with the US and Ukrainian presidents and that he retained "unwavering support for Ukraine".

Vice President JD Vance again criticized free speech barriers in some parts of Europe, just feet away from British Prime Minister Keir Starmer.

After talks with the British Prime Minister in the Oval Office, President Trump continued his push for a deal to end the 3-year old war in Ukraine.

After JD Vance reiterated his belief that "there have been infringements on free speech" in the United Kingdom, Prime Minister Keir Starmer defended his government.

President Donald Trump is hosting United Kingdom Prime Minister Keir Starmer at the White House on Thursday.The two leaders will hold a bilateral meeting in the Oval Office shortly after noon ET before a press conference in the East Room slated for 2 p.