President Donald Trump proclaimed to a British tabloid Thursday a poll shows he is more popular than President Abraham Lincoln.
In remarks to U.K.'s The Sun aboard Air Force One, Trump said he "feels unwelcome" in London, but insisted real Brits "love the president."
"You know, a poll just came out that I am the most popular person in the history of the Republican Party," Trump said, the tabloid reported. "Beating Lincoln. I beat our Honest Abe."
"But the people of the U.K., and I'll bet if you had an honest poll, I'd be very strong," he said, The Sun reported. "They want the same thing I want. I love the U.K."
The New York Times, citing Gallup data, found 90 percent of Republicans approved of Trump in June, making him more popular with his party at this point in his first term than any other modern president except former President George W. Bush shortly after the Sept. 11 attacks.
There is no parallel polling on Lincoln, The Hill noted.
Trump's boast followed his admission he felt "unwelcome" in London due to protests, saying he was aware of a 20-foot-tall blimp designed to look like an infant Trump that protesters plan to fly during his visit to the United Kingdom this week.
"I guess when they put out blimps to make me feel unwelcome, no reason for me to go to London," Trump said, The Sun reported. "I used to love London as a city. I haven't been there in a long time. But when they make you feel unwelcome, why would I stay there?"