This is an OZY Special Briefing, an extension of the Presidential Daily Brief. The Special Briefing tells you what you need to know about an important issue, individual or story that is making news. Each one serves up an interesting selection of facts, opinions, images and videos in order to catch you up and vault you ahead. WHAT TO KNOW What happened? President Donald Trump, 72, touched down in the U.K. today for a three-day visit. Prime Minister Theresa May (pictured), 62, was the first foreign leader to visit Trump after his own inauguration, and his visit coincides with her final days in office: She steps down Friday after proving unable to negotiate a Brexit deal that was acceptable to Parliament. But as Britain’s Conservatives struggle to choose a new leader, Trump’s endorsement might carry weight, which could have implications for Brexit and even Britain’s single-payer health care system. Why does it matter? Trump’s expressed support for Nigel Farage, the leader of the newly formed Brexit Party, who has run for the House of Commons five times and never won. Trump has recently praised Farage, suggesting he should be involved in negotiating Brexit, and he may meet with the conservative firebrand during his visit. But Trump has also gone to bat for former mayor of London Boris Johnson, who’s currently seeking the top job despite a checkered history. In the past, Johnson’s made openly racist comments — and he was ordered last week to appear in court over allegations that he made false claims to the public while campaigning for Brexit in 2016. Trump suggested last week that he might meet with Johnson or Farage while in the U.K., though it’s unclear if that will happen. |