King Charles laughed when Rod Stewart roasted Trump as a ‘rat bag’ but the backstory behind the jab is wilder
Friendship gone sour.
King Charles burst out laughing when Rod Stewart called Donald Trump a “little rat bag” during a charity event, but the backstory behind the jab makes the moment even more entertaining. According to Us Weekly, the legendary rocker, known for his sharp wit and no-nonsense attitude, delivered the line to the monarch at the 50th anniversary celebration of The King’s Trust at London’s Royal Albert Hall on May 11, 2026.
Stewart’s remark came as he praised Charles for his recent state visit to the U.S., telling him, “May I say well done in the Americas. You were superb. Absolutely superb. You put that little rat bag in his place!” The king’s reaction – a chuckle and a gesture toward Stewart – has gone viral. The exchange didn’t just highlight Stewart’s blunt humor; it also underscored the complicated history between the singer and Trump.
Stewart and Trump were once close, with the rocker describing the former president as a personal friend and neighbor in Florida. They even attended each other’s Christmas parties, and Stewart once admired Trump’s “man’s man” persona.
That admiration faded over time
In June 2025, Stewart said Trump had become “another guy” after taking office, someone he no longer recognized. “I can’t [consider him a friend] anymore,” Stewart said, criticizing Trump’s policies, particularly his administration’s arms sales to Israel. “As long as he’s selling arms to the Israelis, and he still is, how’s that war ever gonna stop? And we [the British] should stop selling them as well.”
The state visit Stewart was referencing took place from April 27 to 30, when Charles and Queen Camilla traveled to the U.S. for a series of high-profile engagements. The trip included a state dinner at the White House, where the king delivered a speech that reportedly ruffled feathers in the Trump administration. Charles became only the second British royal to address Congress, using the platform to discuss climate change and the recent White House Correspondents’ Dinner shooting.
He also made a lighthearted jab at the U.S., telling the state dinner crowd, “If it wasn’t for us, you’d be speaking French!” Stewart later joked to Camilla that the remark “went right over his head,” adding, “I was just congratulating your husband on his wonderful performance in the Americas – so great, so brave, so proud.”
The event at the Royal Albert Hall was a star-studded affair
According to Sky News, it celebrated the 50-year legacy of The King’s Trust, the charity Charles founded in 1976 to support vulnerable young people across the U.K. Hosted by British TV icons Ant McPartlin and Declan Donnelly, the gala featured appearances from George and Amal Clooney, Rita Ora, Lily Collins, and Stewart’s Faces bandmate Ronnie Wood.
Camilla turned heads in a purple lace cocktail dress by Fiona Clare, paired with a magenta cape by Dior and amethyst earrings that once belonged to the Duchess of Kent. The evening also honored young people helped by the trust, with awards presented by celebrities like Alesha Dixon and Lily Collins.
Stewart’s “rat bag” comment wasn’t the only moment that stood out during the event. His praise for Charles’s handling of the U.S. visit suggested a shared frustration with Trump’s policies, particularly on issues like climate change and international relations.
The king’s speech to Congress had touched on NATO, Ukraine, and environmental concerns – topics that have been contentious in the current U.S. political climate. Stewart’s joke about Trump not grasping the “speaking French” line was a playful dig at Trump’s combative relationship with global alliances.
Stewart’s history with Trump adds an extra layer of intrigue to the “rat bag” remark
Their friendship, once built on shared social circles and Florida beachside proximity, soured as Trump’s political career took off. Stewart’s criticism of Trump’s policies, particularly his stance on arms sales, reflects a broader disillusionment with the former president’s leadership. The rocker’s willingness to voice that frustration directly to the king, who himself has navigated a delicate diplomatic relationship with the U.S., shows just how far their friendship has fallen.
The king’s laughter in response to Stewart’s comment was a rare moment of levity in what has been a politically charged period for the royal family. Charles’s U.S. visit was closely watched, not just for its diplomatic significance but also for its potential to stir controversy. The monarch avoided any direct mention of Jeffrey Epstein, despite his brother Andrew’s ongoing legal troubles.
Andrew was arrested in February on suspicion of misconduct in public office for allegedly passing confidential information to Epstein during his time as a U.K. trade envoy. The Epstein scandal has cast a long shadow over the royal family, and Charles’s decision to sidestep the topic during his U.S. visit was likely a strategic move to avoid further scrutiny.
(Featured image: Joe Bielawa)
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