Donald Trump congratulates SNP leader John Swinney but doesn't heap praise on Nigel Farage

US President Donald Trump has congratulated John Swinney following the Scottish National Party's fifth consecutive election win.

Mr Trump, who proudly boasts about his mother's Scottish roots, said: “Congratulations to John Swinney on winning his Re-Election for First Minister of Scotland.

“He is a good man, who worked very hard, along with the King and Queen of the United Kingdom, with respect to Tariff relief for Great Scottish Whiskey — and deserves this Big Electoral Victory! President DONALD J TRUMP.”

The SNP secured the most seats in Holyrood, winning 58 out of 129.

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Meanwhile, Labour and Reform UK ended up level in second on 17 seats.

Following the victory, Mr Swinney called on Sir Keir Starmer to show Scotland “more respect".

He said: “My message to Downing Street tonight is very, very clear.

“They have got a lot of listening to do, to the fact that Labour have been hammered here in Scotland, and an SNP Government, after 19 years in office, has just been emphatically returned to office.

“Scotland needs respect as a consequence of that election outcome.”

Despite Mr Trump heaping praise on Mr Swinney, the US President was far less forthcoming about Reform UK's surge.

Reform UK secured 34 seats in the Welsh Parliament, snatched more than 1,440 wards in England and now controls an additional 14 councils.

Mr Trump had long described Mr Farage as a "friend", inviting the then-Ukip leader to a campaign rally in 2016.

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However, there has been speculation that relations between Mr Farage and Mr Trump have become increasingly distanced.

Mr Farage admitted he has not been in touch with the US President and now defies Mr Trump on a number of key policy issues.

Speaking after the 2026 Local Elections, Mr Farage said: “We are directly taking votes from patriotic old Labour in areas that, frankly, they’ve been pretty much able to take for granted since the end of World War One.”

Labour suffered a catastrophic loss, losing over 1,400 seats, with Sir Keir Starmer blaming Brexit for the hit the party had taken.

Writing in the Guardian, the Prime Minister wrote: “These were very tough election results. It hurts to lose brilliant candidates and local leaders – friends and colleagues who represent the best of the Labour Party.

“I take responsibility for that and feel it very deeply. It is right we reflect and learn the right lessons.

“While the results will understandably lead to much debate about what’s changed in British politics, that should not overshadow the fact that for years voters have been deeply frustrated with the status quo, constantly hoping that things will get better and that politics will deliver real change in their lives.

“That same frustration led to today’s political fragmentation.

“The struggle with the cost of living unites voters of all parties. They want strong and vibrant communities that people can feel pride in.

“While it was important to level with people about the legacy we inherited and the scale of the challenges this country faces, we did not do enough to convince them that their lives can improve, that their future can get better – to give them hope.

“For two decades the country has been buffeted by crisis after crisis. And after the 2008 financial crash, austerity, Brexit, Covid and the Ukraine war, the response was always the same: desperately try to get back to the status quo.

“But the status quo isn’t working .So, this time things will be different. We must break with the status quo once and for all by building a stronger and fairer country.”

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