Passenger on gay cruise banned from docking in Turkey and Egypt by Muslim governments suggests fiasco is TRUMP'S fault

By WILL POTTER, US SENIOR NEWS REPORTER Published: 13:45, 13 July 2026 | Updated: 13:49, 13 July 2026 A passenger on board a gay cruise that was banned from entering Turkey and Egypt by their respective Muslim governments has suggested Donald Trump is to blame.  The unidentified man was seen complaining in a selfie video that went viral on social media from on board the Atlantis Events cruise, which is known for hosting all-LGBTQ+ holidays.  The Virgin Voyages ship, named Scarlet Lady, was intended to sail through Greece, Croatia and Italy before stopping off in Turkey and Egypt, but authorities turned the ship away after discovering it was filled with men 'known for behaviors incompatible with the fabric of our society and our moral values'. With the trip left in limbo, one passenger, who has since deleted his video off social media, said that the news the cruise was being rejected was 'really hard to hear.' While acknowledging that 'this kind of prejudice is not new to these countries', he said that he believed the real reason the ship was turned away was because of President Trump. 'You just can't help but feel that with this current administration, people around the world feel more emboldened to do these kinds of things,' he said.  'It's just really awful, and I would like to hope that the world is moving forward, but it just kind of feels like we're moving backwards.'  The passenger concluded that despite the incident, he would 'still be having a fabulous time wherever we are.'  A passenger on board a gay cruise that was banned from entering Turkey and Egypt by their Muslim governments says he believes it is Donald Trump's fault his vacation was upended The gay cruise ship was intended to sail through Greece, Croatia and Italy before stopping off in Turkey and Egypt, but authorities turned the ship away after discovering it was filled with men 'known for behaviors incompatible with the fabric of our society and our moral values' Gay man on LGBTQ+ cruise denied entry to Egypt & Turkey blames Trump for making countries feel “emboldened” to have “prejudice” against LGBT.“You just cannot help but feel with this current administration people around the world feel more emboldened to do these kind of things.” pic.twitter.com/DYbvrj3FAU The passenger's video was mocked as it circulated across social media, with many saying it was a prime example of 'Trump Derangement Syndrome' - an online term for people who try to blame President Trump for seemingly unrelated issues.  Commentator John James, who is gay, said he found it ridiculous that the gay cruise ship passengers would be 'shocked that they are banned from docking in Muslim countries.' 'Instead of addressing Islam - they manage to put the blame at TRUMP’s door!' he said on X. 'TRUMP DERANGEMENT SYNDROME IS REAL!' Another critic wrote: 'Has this dude ever looked into what Sharia law actually says about gay people? Or is every single thing just 'Trump's fault?''  'So Egypt and Turkey would have welcomed him in with a fanfare and waving Pride flags if Kamala Harris had been president?' another questioned. Others said the 'mental gymnastics' the passenger showed was 'impressive'.  In Turkey, homosexuality is legal but the once secular nation now has a Muslim government whose President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has taken a hardline stance against the LGBTQ+ community. Similarly, same-sex relationships are not against the law in Egypt, however they remain very taboo and there are tough prosecutions for 'debauchery' and public morality laws. The Atlantis Events cruise, which is known for hosting all-LGBTQ+ holidays, was upended after governments in Turkey and Egypt refused to allow them to dock  Meanwhile, Trump is widely-hailed as one of the most gay friendly presidents in US history. His Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent is the most senior gay official ever appointed to a US cabinet position.   American singer and performer Todrick Hall, 41, was one of the headliners on the cruise and reflecting on how he felt when the ship was first turned away from Turkey, told the Daily Mail last week, 'I was disgusted and disappointed, to be honest.' 'I was really shocked that they wouldn't even allow us onto their soil to experience their culture,' he added.  'The fact that they didn't want us there was so disappointing and disheartening.' For cruise passenger TJ Taylor, 33, being turned away from ports was 'just a reminder that where you go for your tourism and where you spend your holiday dollars is actually really important'. He told the Daily Mail: 'Choosing places that are accepting of who you are is important in life.' When the ship was prevented from stopping in Turkey it came as a 'surprise'. 'At the end of the day, who you love doesn't change the fact that we are all humans taking photos and seeing these beautiful places,' Taylor said. 'Just because you love someone of the same gender doesn't mean that it changes how you are as a tourist.' The holidaymaker was particularly excited to visit Egypt and had booked a tour to see the iconic landmarks with his friends. Fortunately, they didn't have to pay upfront and the tour operator was very apologetic and understanding. The Virgin Voyages-owned ship, chartered by Atlantis Events, was stopped from docking in both Turkey and Egypt American singer and performer Todrick Hall, pictured with actress Patti LuPone, expresses his disappointed at the situation TJ Taylor, 33, a passenger on board the cruise ship, told the Daily Mail he was 'surprised' by Turkey's refusal Taylor, who is originally from Barnsley but now lives in Singapore, has been on three Atlantis cruises. 'I can tell you that people spend when they go to the ports, it's 2,000 queer men that will eat and drink and go on tours and book all kinds of expensive things in all the different places,' he said. 'So it's really an impact to the local economy as well.' A Virgin Voyages spokesperson said: 'We were incredibly disappointed to learn that Scarlet Lady was denied entry hours before our planned call. 'We successfully operated a similar itinerary last year without issue and will continue to do everything possible to ensure the charter guests complete an incredible vacation, now calling on Kotor, Montenegro as an alternative.'