Donald Trump has ruled out deporting Prince Harry from the US despite his visa difficulties – but took a swipe at his wife Meghan Markle. Asked about Harry, the US president vowed to “leave him alone” amid a legal row regarding the royal’s immigration status and his past drug use.
But Trump took the opportunity to again attack his “terrible” wife Meghan Markle, claiming the prince had “enough problems” with her and he wouldn’t add to them. It comes after the Heritage Foundation think tank launched legal action against the prince, arguing the US government should publish the details of his visa application to see if he disclosed drug use he previously admitted to in his memoir.
The group is alleging Harry should not have been given a US visa given his use of illegal drugs, the Mirror reports. Questioned about the royal and whether he could be deported, Trump said: “I don’t want to do that. I’ll leave him alone. He’s got enough problems with his wife. She’s terrible.”
Prince Harry confessed to taking drugs in his memoir Spare, including marijuana, cocaine and magic mushrooms. The former soldier claimed cocaine “didn’t do anything” for him but insisted marijuana was “different” and “actually really did help me”.
The US president previously warned of consequences if Harry had concealed his drug use on his visa application. Trump has the power to ask for the files to be released.
Visa applications in the US specifically ask about current and past drug use, with admissions of using drugs potentially leading to applications being rejected. The Heritage Foundation has suggested ex-president Joe Biden could have given the Duke of Sussex and his wife preferential treatment when they first moved to the US, following their decision to quit their royal duties.
A two-year courtroom battle is ongoing, with a judge this week leaving the door open to releasing sealed documents from his visa application.
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