LONDON (AA) – US presidential hopeful Donald Trump praised the U.K.’s decision to leave the European Union on Friday, saying that “people have voted to reassert control over their own politics” and urging the American people to do the same.
The statements came during his visit to Scotland for the grand opening of a new golf resort, just one day after Britain voted in the historic Brexit referendum.
The presumptive Republican Party presidential nominee, down in the polls and off the campaign trail, told the cameras that it was “an amazing” vote and “great thing” that happened.
“You know I said this would happen. I think it is a great thing. We will see but I think it will be a great thing. Basically, they took their country back,” he stated.
Later on in a statement posted on Facebook, Trump said the people of the United Kingdom had exercised “the sacred right of all free people.”
“They have declared their independence from the European Union, and have voted to reassert control over their own politics, borders and economy,” he stated. “Come November, the American people will have the chance to re-declare their independence,” he added, referring to the U.S. presidential election set for Nov. 8.
In Thursday’s referendum, almost 52 percent of British voters decided to end the U.K.’s 43-year EU membership.
