Arron Banks, a British millionaire and prominent donor to the Brexit campaign, is embroiled in a visa dispute with the Biden administration as he attempts to host an inauguration party in Washington, D.C., for former President Donald Trump.
Must Read Alaska reported that Banks insists his visa application was denied due to "political retaliation," a claim he substantiates by his past legal battles concerning unfounded accusations of Russian collusion.
Banks planned the "Stars and Stripes and Union Jack Party" ahead of Trump's inauguration on January 20, inviting a star-studded guest list. The event is set to take place on Friday at the Hay-Adams Hotel, a prestigious venue in Washington, D.C.
This gathering aims to celebrate the upcoming inauguration with high-profile figures, including Donald and Melania Trump, Elon Musk, and former British Prime Minister Liz Truss, among others.
As the host of the event, Banks asserts that his denial of entry is connected to his prominence in the Brexit movement and previous suspicions of Russian ties in the Brexit campaign.
In an emphatic assertion, he expressed shock over the visa challenge, terming it a "political decision" linked to the "failed Russia Hoax" which he believes was orchestrated on both sides of the Atlantic.
Banks is notably recognized for his involvement in financially supporting the Brexit campaign, an effort to remove the United Kingdom from the European Union.
He claims to have been unjustly accused and subjected to investigations for possible Russian involvement in this political movement. Emphasizing that the National Crime Agency cleared him, Banks revealed that he took legal action against a journalist for disseminating these false allegations, resulting in a favorable legal outcome for him.
Despite the court's decision, Banks indicates that the ordeal had significant repercussions on his ventures, which he estimates to have cost him over £100 million. He highlights these developments as a major factor in his current plight with the U.S. immigration authorities.
Banks's frustration with the Biden administration's immigration policies is palpable. Referencing these policies, he sarcastically commented on his visa predicament, suggesting an alternative method of entry by crossing the Rio Grande from Mexico, akin to how so-called "gang members and bad hombres" enter and suggesting he might claim benefits upon arrival in Washington, D.C.
Meanwhile, Andy Wigmore, Banks's business partner, also faced a blockade regarding his U.S. visa. The duo’s plan was to host a capable assembly of 300 attendees, encompassing U.S. Senators like Rick Scott and Pete Ricketts, along with keynote speaker and close friend Nigel Farage.
Farage, the guest of honor, holds strong ties with Banks and has been notable for his role as a key Brexit architect and alliances with Trump's political framework.
His presence at the event underscores a transatlantic camaraderie among political figures who have previously endorsed Brexit and Trump’s presidency.
The list of invited guests reflects a blend of political, corporate, and academic elite from both sides of the pond.
Among the most high-profile are figures like the former first couple, prominent tech magnate Elon Musk, and Liz Truss, whose tenure as the U.K.'s prime minister aligns with several goals of the Brexit campaign.
The "Stars and Stripes and Union Jack Party" spotlighted the convergence of various influencers and thought leaders convening to partake in the camaraderie and festivities marking the inauguration of Donald Trump. However, Banks’s immigration issues cast uncertainty over the execution of this closely anticipated event.
As Banks and Wigmore navigate these legal and logistical hurdles, the political and social dynamics at play add layers of intrigue to the story.
Indeed, attendees and observers alike remain interested in how these unfolding events could impact the scheduled revelry.