Stephen Hawking fears he may not be welcome in US after Trump comments

Professor Stephen Hawking has said he may not be welcome in the United States after he made scathing comments about President Donald Trump.

The physicist and cosmologist, 75, who has previously referred to Mr Trump as a “demagogue”, told Good Morning Britain he fears he “may not be welcome” in America any more despite his admiration for the country.

“The reaction to the election of Donald Trump may have been overdone, but it represents a definite swing to a right-wing, more authoritarian approach,” he said.

“Everyday life in the United States continues much the same.

“I have many friends and colleagues there, and it is still a place I like and admire in many ways.

“I would like to visit again and to talk to other scientists but I fear that I may not be welcome.”

The scientist also shared his views on Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn during the interview.

“I don’t believe there will be much chance of Labour winning an election under him,” he said of Mr Corbyn.

“He doesn’t come across as a strong leader, and he allowed the media to portray him as a left-wing extremist, which he’s not. It’s no good having the right principles if you never get in power.”

But he added: “I will continue to vote Labour, it’s the party that matters.”

Host Piers Morgan also quizzed Professor Hawking about Brexit.

The scientist, who was opposed to leaving the EU, said if the referendum decision must be implemented “it shouldn’t be a hard Brexit as the right wing of the Conservative Party want”.

“That would leave us isolated and inward-looking,” he said. “Instead, we should retain as many links as possible with Europe and the rest of the world, particularly China.”

Professor Hawking also warned that leaving Europe “threatens Britain’s status as a world leader in science and innovation”.

He added that he is planning to travel into space on Sir Richard Branson’s Virgin Galactic.

He said he had not expected to have the opportunity to experience space but that the Virgin boss had offered him a seat.

Discussing the meaning of happiness, he said: “My three children have brought me great joy.

“And I can tell you what will make me happy, to travel in space.

“I thought no one would take me but Richard Branson has offered me a seat on Virgin Galactic, and I said yes immediately.”

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