EDITORIAL – King’s speech was a brilliant rebuke to Trump’s leadership

An editorial by Mel Rothenburger.

KING CHARLES earned his keep yesterday (April 28, 2026) and then some. He was absolutely brilliant in his speech to the joint meeting of the U.S. Congress. So brilliant, in fact, he delivered a pointed lecture to Donald Trump with Trump seemingly accepting it.

The monarch called Trump out on a range of issues, including NATO, the Russian invasion of Ukraine, and the environment, all of which the American president richly deserved.

Charles did it by weaving it all into his overall theme of praise for the “special relationship” between the U.S. and U.K. since the American revolution. And he did it with humour. His droll style of delivery worked perfectly to advantage, providing a counterpoint to the usual histrionics that are the usual fair of American politics.

There wasn’t a hint of discord in the room. In fact, Republicans and Democrats alike rose together to give him standing ovation after standing ovation. And Trump, watching the whole thing from his office, took it all in with a smile.

Asked for his reaction later, he had nothing but praise for the king, whom he calls a friend, a great man, a terrific leader, and so on. It’s certainly possible that Trump will change his mind if he decides to go on a rant over something in future but, for now, King Charles has accomplished the seemingly impossible: he’s put Trump in his place while warming up relations between the U.S. and U.K. at the same time.

Mel Rothenburger is a former regular contributor to CFJC-TV and CBC radio, publishes the ArmchairMayor.ca opinion website, writes for the Kamloops Chronicle and is a recipient of the Jack Webster Foundation Lifetime Achievement Award, and was a Webster Foundation Commentator of the Year finalist. He has served as mayor of Kamloops, school board chair and TNRD director, and is a retired daily newspaper editor.  He can be reached at mrothenburger@armchairmayor.ca.