A local who famously flew a Mexican flag at his home next to one of Donald Trump's Scots golf courses in protest hopes the President 'learns something' from his battle with coronavirus.
David Milne became a Trump target when the tycoon began planning his self-proclaimed “world’s greatest golf course” at Menie links, near Balmedie, Aberdeenshire, in 2006.
Trump was accused of 'bullying' locals who did not want to sell their land for the course, with 55-year-old David refusing to leave his property.
In 2016, when Trump visited Menie during his successful bid for the presidency, David flew a Mexcian flag to show support for people he had "insulted".
After hearing this morning's news that Trump and First Lady Melania had tested positive for coronavirus, the local hopes his long-time sparring partner will learn something from the illness.
Speaking to the Daily Record, David said: "I can't wish him well but I can't wish him badly either, that's just not who I am.
"I really hope he uses a period of illness to reflect and maybe learn something for once.
"I find (him having coronavirus) interesting to say the least.
"It shows that his treatment of choice (disinfectant) doesn't work.
"I think he has just been caught by something that he never thought would affect him. I'm sure he will find some way to make it politically useful."
He added: "When I met him for the first time he was trying to sell the deal but at the same time saying he didn't need to buy our land.
"He seems to have changed little. It just seems that he is the same arrogant bully as before but now he's president.
"He thinks he is allowed to do whatever he likes and I don't think he likes the reaction he has had from Scotland.
"He doesn't seem to value anyone but himself personally, and I think that even goes for his family members and wife."
The building of the massive course and hotel at Balmedie, just outside of Aberdeen, proved a political battleground in the north-east when they first came about 13 years ago.
Trump promised to create the 'greatest' golf course in the world by the protected sand dunes and spend £1billion while creating 6,000 jobs from the resort.
While Aberdeenshire councillors rejected the plans, they were called in by the Scottish Government and approved.
Figures released last year showed it had lost more than £1million- for the seventh year in a row.
Aberdeenshire Green councillor Martin Ford fought a protracted battle to stop the development over fears of the natural habitat.
He said of the coronavirus find: "Mr Trump has not been taking proper precautions... he has been making reckless statements about the risks of the virus and the wearing of masks and generally not following proper scientific advice.
"Whether he has the virus or not, my hope for the election is that Mr Trump loses.
"He is not a fit and proper person to hold any sort of public office.
"His behaviour in the north-east of Scotland is absolutely how he has behaved in office.
"The techniques used of gross exaggeration, talk of 6,000 jobs from a golf course, and lies so gargantuan that he effortlessly denies the reality in front of him are well known to us here.
"It is now called 'fake news' but he was using it with us before.
"His treatment of locals shows what an unpleasant and dangerous individual and it was obvious he was a nasty piece of work at the time.
"It is utterly disgusting how he treated people.
"But before we get too smug about the Americans electing him, we have to remember that his ways have worked in Scotland.
"Part of the reason that he was given the course was his celebrity status."
Trump International Scotland has been contacted for comment.
