In his first visit to the UK, US President Donald Trump met with British Prime Minister Theresa May at Blenheim Palace and Queen Elizabeth II at Windsor Castle. However, Trump’s visit across the pond hasn’t come without controversy. Tens of thousands of people congregated in central London to protest Trump and his policies as he arrived in the city. And his presence may cause trouble for May moving forward.

According to Afshin Molavi, a scholar at the school of advanced international studies at Johns Hopkins University, May is in a tough spot as Brexit has started to split her administration as well as UK society. Brexit Secretary David Davis resigned from his post on July 8, while Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson departed office on July 9, leaving May to look for replacements at a critical time. She also faces criticism from her own Conservative Party, and recently a few jabs from Trump himself.

"It did feel very much like he was kneecapping his host," Molavi told CGTN, referring to Trump’s open criticism of May’s Brexit plan, and comments on departing staff, during a recent interview.

“The President of the United States comes in and basically says that one of her departing cabinet ministers would make a fine Prime Minister, and if she goes with this particular Brexit plan that she hashed out with her colleagues in the cabinet, then there is no US trade deal on the horizon,” Molavi added. “It’s certainly unorthodox, but that’s not new with this president.”

Recently, Trump has insisted on imposing tariffs on goods from not only China, but US allies such as Canada and the EU, as well as Mexico, adding to his growing infamy abroad. Disputing with the EU and Canada, two of the US’ staunchest allies, has created a lack of trust in the UK, and his controversial policies, such as immigration, make his London reception unsurprising. His visit at such a critical juncture may be seen as suspicious.

Also, Trump’s theatrics and controversial style of criticizing his friends, such as German Chancellor Angela Merkel and British Prime Minister Theresa May, are “not a good look” and may be detrimental to the causes he wants to push, Molavi said.

“He really believes that the US and UK have a special relationship,” Molavi said, regarding Trump’s view that US-UK ties are a cornerstone of his diplomatic policy. Given the resentment toward him in almost every corner of the world, from Beijing to Brussels, and Ottawa to Mexico City, Trump has to seek help or at least oral support from a trusted friend. In Trump’s mind, the UK fits the bill. He describes his UK visit as "coming home," although "he certainly didn't like those protests in London,” Molavi said.

The British people, however, are getting bogged down with Brexit and are afraid that Trump’s visit will exacerbate the situation due to his disputes with the EU over trade, an organization that Britain currently has a strained relationship with.