Sir Rod Stewart has escalated his ongoing conflict with Donald Trump by mocking the president in front of King Charles. Insiders have informed RadarOnline.com that Trump supporters are considering using Stewart’s past drug abuse as leverage against him.
The 81-year-old Maggie May singer reignited the discord during a celebration of the 50th anniversary of The King’s Trust at London’s Royal Albert Hall on Monday, May 11, where he met with Charles, 77, and Queen Camilla, 78.
Stewart commended the monarch’s handling of Trump during a recent US visit by Charles and openly joked about the president in front of attendees, including his former Faces bandmate Ronnie Wood.
This feud follows months of Stewart’s public criticism of Trump, particularly concerning comments about British troops in Afghanistan.
Stewart expressed to Charles, “May I say, well done in the Americas. You were superb, absolutely superb… put that little ratbag in his place.”
Observers noted that the remark caused laughter among the attendees, with Wood seen smiling during the interaction.
Stewart further added: “Exactly, that’s it – it went right over (Trump’s) head, right over his head.”
Addressing Camilla, Stewart continued: “I was just congratulating your husband on his wonderful performance in the Americas, so great, so brave, so proud.”
A source close to Stewart mentioned that the singer admired Charles for showing “dignity and restraint” during the US trip, while Trump “craved attention and spectacle.”
The insider further stated: “Rod thinks Charles handled the whole thing with class. In his view, Trump always wants to dominate every room he enters, but the King never gave him that satisfaction. Rod loved it.”
Conversely, sources close to Trump indicated that the president was “furious” upon learning of the remarks, especially since they were made in the presence of the British monarch.
One insider commented, “Donald thinks Rod Stewart has become another celebrity trying to stay relevant by attacking him. He thinks it’s pathetic and beneath someone who used to entertain millions of Americans.”
Another source remarked: “Trump believes the monarchy should remain neutral and not be pulled into indulging in political cheap shots against him. He was fuming when he heard about it.”
Insiders familiar with discussions within Trump’s circle also suggested that Stewart’s well-documented drug abuse history has resurfaced among the president’s allies.
A political source close to Republican figures stated: “People around Trump know Rod has openly admitted to years of serious drug use, including cocaine and heavy partying in the 1970s and 1980s.
“There’s chatter that if relations deteriorate further, Trump could push for scrutiny over whether Stewart should even be allowed to tour or enter the US.”
The insider added, “They think there are ways to make life difficult without doing anything publicly dramatic. It would be a super-sneaky revenge on an old rocker.”
Stewart has previously been open about his drug use during his peak years in rock music.
In interviews, he confessed to heavy cocaine use during his fame’s peak and once mentioned that doctors warned him of vocal cord damage due to substance abuse.
This latest dispute adds to Stewart’s ongoing vocal criticism of Trump.
Earlier this year, the singer criticized the president over comments about British soldiers who served in Afghanistan.
In a video posted to Instagram in January, Stewart said, “I may just be a humble rock star, but I’m also a Knight of the realm, and I have my opinions. I was born just after the war, and I have great respect for our armed forces that fought and gave us our freedom.
“So it hurts me badly, deeply, when I read that draft dodger Trump has criticized our troops in Afghanistan for not being on the front line.”
Stewart added, “We lost over 400 of our guys. Think of their parents. Think about it. And Trump calls them almost like cowards. It’s unbearable.”
In his 2012 autobiography, Rod: The Autobiography, Stewart discussed his “social” substance use during his early career.
He insisted he was never a “druggy person” and not addicted, but rather a “social user” of cocaine in the 1970s and ’80s.
In his memoir, he revealed that he and Faces bandmate Wood used to take cocaine anally to avoid harming their nasal passages and voices.
He also disclosed his struggle with steroid addiction in the late 1980s and early 1990s, which he used to help his voice but which led to internal bleeding and hallucinations.
Stewart credits his love for football with preventing him from developing a severe drug habit, emphasizing that he always needed to be “match fit.”
