The former leader of the United Kingdom Independence Party confirmed to CNN Monday that he would attend the Republican National Convention in Cleveland, Ohio as an “observer.”
Nigel Farage, Britain’s most vocal proponent of Brexit, did not endorse American Republican candidate Donald Trump, but said he was attending because he wanted to hear the presumptive nominee’s speech.
“Having criticized President Obama for getting involved in British politics, I am not about to endorse anybody," Farage told USA TODAY on July 12. "But I do know a lot of people in the Republican Party, and I'll be interested to hear what Donald Trump has to say in his big speech."
Many in the GOP supported Britain leaving the European Union, while President Obama opposed the move. USA Today reported:
“Obama drew criticism when he commented about the United Kingdom's referendum in April during a trip to London, warning that the nation would find itself at the ‘back of the queue’ for a trade deal with the United States if it left the European Union.”
Farage called Obama “the most anti-British American there has ever been” in response.
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In an interview with Richard Quest after Britain voted to leave the EU, Farage reaffirmed his repulsion for the American political Left.
“There’s nothing on Earth that could persuade me, ever, to vote for Hillary Clinton,” Farage said. He had softer words for Trump, saying that he would be “better” than Obama.
CNN reported that low-level foreign politicians will occasionally support American leaders with similar beliefs, but “it is somewhat unusual that a high-profile foreign political figure, like Farage, would attend a partisan political event like the RNC.”
Farage will arrive in Cleveland on Tuesday.
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