WASHINGTON/LONDON: US President Donald Trump on Wednesday posted anti-Islam videos on Twitter that had originally been published by a leader of a fringe, far-right British party who was convicted earlier this month of abusing a Muslim woman.
Jayda Fransen, deputy leader of the anti-immigration Britain First group, posted the videos on Wednesday which she said showed a group of people who were Muslims beating a teenage boy to death, battering a boy on crutches and destroying a Christian statue.
Trump’s decision to re-tweet the videos prompted criticism from both sides of the Atlantic.
“I hope our government will condemn far-right retweets by Donald Trump,” Jeremy Corbyn, leader of Britain’s opposition Labour Party, wrote on Twitter. “They are abhorrent, dangerous and a threat to our society.”
Reuters was unable to immediately verify the videos and Fransen herself said they had come from various online sources which had been posted on her social media pages.
“I’m delighted,” Fransen, who has 53,000 Twitter followers, told Reuters, saying it showed the US president shared her aim of raising awareness of “issues such as Islam.”
As a candidate, Trump called for “a Muslim ban” and, as president, has issued executive orders banning entry from some citizens of multiple countries, although courts have partially blocked them from taking effect.
Britain First is a peripheral political party which wants to end all immigration and to bring in a comprehensive ban on Islam, with anyone found to be promoting the religion’s ideology to be deported or imprisoned.
The group, which attracts a few hundred protesters to its regular street demonstrations, states on its website it is a “loyalist movement” but critics say it is simply racist.
Fransen was fined earlier this month after being found guilty of religiously aggravated harassment for shouting abuse at a Muslim woman wearing a hijab.
Last week, she was charged by the police in Northern Ireland with using threatening, abusive or insulting words in a speech at a rally in Belfast in August.
Along with the group’s leader, she was also charged in September with causing religiously aggravated harassment over the distribution of leaflets and posting online videos during a court trial involving a number of Muslim men accused and later convicted of rape.
Politicians in Britain called on Prime Minister Theresa May’s government to condemn Trump while the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), the largest US Muslim civil rights organization, said it was an incitement to violence.
“These are actions one would expect to see on virulent anti-Muslim hate sites, not on the Twitter feed of the president of the United States,” CAIR National Executive Director Nihad Awad said in a statement.
David Duke, a former leader of the Ku Klux Klan, praised Trump for his posts.
“He’s condemned for showing us what the fake news media won’t,” Duke wrote on Twitter. “Thank God for Trump! That’s why we love him!“
There was no immediate response from May’s office, and Fransen said Trump’s re-tweets showed his outrage at her treatment by the media and the authorities.
“The important message here is Donald Trump has been made aware of the persecution and prosecution of a political leader in Britain for giving what has been said by police to be an anti-Islamic speech,” she said.
“He (Trump) stands for free speech and he won’t be deterred by any petty left-leaning journalist in Britain saying he shouldn’t be re-tweeting any individual.”
UK lawmakers condemn Trump for retweeting anti-Muslim videos from far-right party
UK lawmakers condemn Trump for retweeting anti-Muslim videos from far-right party
Where We Are Going Today: Cortaco Restaurant in Riyadh
- Tacos — the clear highlight — are priced between SR28 and SR35 (about $7.45–$9.30), depending on the filling
Tucked into one of the capital’s busiest dining districts, Cortaco is carving out a name for itself in Riyadh’s fast-evolving restaurant scene with a colorful, contemporary take on Mexican street food.
The restaurant’s design leans heavily into vibrant Latin American cues — bright murals, cactus accents and warm lighting — creating an atmosphere that feels lively without being overwhelming.
The menu is focused and accessible, built around familiar Mexican staples such as tacos, burritos and nachos, with a noticeable emphasis on customization.
Tacos — the clear highlight — are priced between SR28 and SR35 (about $7.45–$9.30), depending on the filling. The beef option, at about SR32, is tender and well seasoned, while the grilled chicken taco, closer to SR28, offers a smoky edge that pairs well with the tangy pico de gallo. Portions are satisfying without being excessive, making it easy to sample more than one variety.
Burritos are more substantial, ranging from SR42 to SR48. Neatly wrapped and generously filled, they strike a good balance between rice, beans and protein. The shrimp burrito, typically priced at about SR48, feels indulgent without crossing into heavy territory.
Nachos, ideal for sharing, are priced at about SR38. Topped with melted cheese, jalapenos and a choice of protein for a small additional charge, they arrive crisp — avoiding the common pitfall of sogginess that plagues many casual Mexican concepts.
For dessert, churros are offered at about SR22, served warm with chocolate dipping sauce. Beverage options, including specialty mocktails and milk-based drinks, range from SR14 to SR20.
Service is efficient and friendly, reflecting the casual dining format. Orders typically arrive within 10–15 minutes during non-peak hours.
In a city where dining trends can shift quickly, Cortaco does not attempt to reinvent Mexican cuisine. Instead, it delivers a reliable, vibrant interpretation of it — one that fits seamlessly into Riyadh’s growing appetite for international casual dining.
