Trump: ‘I think they like me a lot in the UK’

President Trump on Thursday downplayed expected protests during his visit to the United Kingdom, saying he believes its citizens “like me a lot.”

During a press conference before departing the NATO summit for the U.K., Trump was asked how he feels about the planned protests.

“I think it’s fine. I think they like me a lot in the U.K. I think they agree with me on immigration,” Trump said. 

{mosads}

He then said that he “at least partially won an election” based on his immigration views, adding that European countries are equally concerned about the issue. 

Trump added that the U.K. is a “pretty hot spot,” given the recent upheaval in the government there. Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson and the official tasked with overseeing the country’s exit from the European Union both resigned earlier this week.

“I said I’m going to a few hot spots. We have NATO, then we have the U.K., and then we have [Russian President Vladimir] Putin,” Trump said, referencing his weeklong stay in Europe.

“And I said Putin may be the easiest of them all,” he continued. “But I’m going to a pretty hot spot right now with a lot of resignations.”

Reporter: How do you feel about the planned protests of your visit in the U.K.?

President Trump: “I think they like me a lot in the U.K.” https://t.co/KGFjLrdE0n pic.twitter.com/6nwP9IEMu1

— CBS News (@CBSNews) July 12, 2018

Trump will depart the NATO summit in Brussels on Thursday afternoon local time and head to London for a greeting ceremony. He’ll remain in the United Kingdom until Sunday.

Thousands of protesters are expected to greet Trump during his visit. London Mayor Sadiq Khan granted approval for a “Trump baby” blimp to fly over London during the president’s stay.

Trump is expected to largely avoid London during the trip, but the White House denies that is because of the expected protests.