The Latest: Trump prepares for NATO after Belgian meeting
The Latest: Trump prepares for NATO after Belgian meeting, The Latest on President Donald Trump's first trip abroad (all times local):
The Latest: Trump prepares for NATO after Belgian meeting, The Latest on President Donald Trump's first trip abroad (all times local):
6:28 p.m.
President Donald Trump has retired for the evening to the U.S. ambassador's residence in Brussels.
He's in Belgium as part of a five-stop journey through Middle Eastern and European countries — his first foreign trip.
Trump is set to attend the NATO summit Thursday before continuing on to Sicily for meetings with leaders of the seven major industrialized nations.
6 p.m.
Melania Trump turned to one of her favorite fashion houses, Dolce & Gabbana, for her audience with the pope and her arrival in Italy.
Stefano Gabbana celebrated on Instagram with an all caps THANK YOU addressed to @flotus and #melaniatrump. The designer also spiritedly chided the anti-Trump camp with a hashtag boycottdolceandgabbanaplease followed by laughing emojis — a swipe at designers who said they wouldn't dress the first lady.
Mrs. Trump has a penchant for the Milan fashion house, especially its trademark black dresses. She raised some eyebrows by choosing a black tuxedo jacket by the Italians for her official portrait.
She wore a demure black lace dress with a mantilla to meet with Pope Francis and stepped off Air Force One in a dark coat with military-style trim.
5:35 p.m.
President Donald Trump is meeting with Belgian Prime Minister Charles Michel in Brussels.
Trump says they will work together on "various problems. Number one is terrorism."
Trump says that when you see something like the bombing this week in Manchester, England, you remember how important it is to win the fight.
He says "we will win. 100 percent."
Trump is meeting with the prime minister before talks this week with NATO and European Union officials.
5.30 p.m.
Thousands of protesters are gathering for a major anti-Trump demonstration in Brussels, a few hours after President Donald Trump arrived in the Belgian capital for talks with NATO, European Union and Belgian officials.
The march was set to start in the early evening, just as Trump was ending talks with Belgian government officials. The demonstrators centered their protests on Trump's environmental and immigration policies.
The early arrivals at the Brussels North Station were shouting "We don't want Trump! We don't want Trump!"
The road of the marchers was set to stay away from the U.S. Embassy and Royal Palace where Trump was holding meetings upon his arrival from Rome.
4:12 p.m.
President Donald Trump arrived in Brussels Wednesday afternoon ahead of meetings with NATO leaders.
Trump was harshly critical of NATO as a candidate, declaring the military alliance "obsolete." He's also criticized member countries for not following NATO guidelines to spend at least 2 percent of their gross domestic product on defense.
The president has been similarly critical of Brussels, the Belgian capital that is home to both the NATO and European Union headquarters. After the city's recent struggles with terrorism, Trump called Brussels a "hellhole."
Brussels is Trump's fourth stop on his maiden overseas tour. His fifth and final stop will be Sicily, where he'll meet with the leaders of the Group of 7 wealthy nations.
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