Trump Calls Sadiq Khan ‘Nasty’, UK PM Fires Back with Support
Donald Trump has once again unleashed a tirade on London Mayor Sadiq Khan, referring to him as "a nasty person" in a Scotland press conference on Monday. British PM Keir Starmer did not hesitate to counter, stating, "He's a friend of mine." The feud has fueled tensions just months ahead of Trump's planned visit to the UK in September.
Trump indicated that he intends to go to London, but again repeated his derision of Khan, calling him a failure. The spat recalls years of personal hostility, with racism and religion hanging in the background, particularly following Khan's earlier statements that Trump's animosity could be due to his being Muslim.
Standing at a podium in Scotland, Trump wasted no words. Asked if he would make an appearance in London as part of his September visit, he replied affirmatively—but added, "I'm not a fan of your mayor. I think he's done a terrible job."
Then came the more pointed jab: "The Mayor of London… a nasty person." Trump's comments came out of the blue and immediately caused political waves. UK PM Keir Starmer, besides Trump, answered immediately: "He's a friend of mine."
But Trump tripled down, repeating once again, "I think he's done a terrible job."
Trump and Khan's feud started during Trump's initial term. Khan publicly criticised Trump's Muslim-majority countries travel ban. Trump responded by referring to him as a "stone-cold loser" and accusing him of being a failure on the issue of terrorism. Trump also called him "very dumb" and consistently questioned whether he could run London.
Mayor Sadiq Khan, who is the first Muslim mayor of a major Western capital, has stated that the animosity is personal and most probably due to his religion and ethnicity. In 2024, before the US election, he stated in a podcast: "He's come for me because of, let's be frank, my ethnicity and my religion."
In defending Mayor Sadiq Khan, PM Keir Starmer made more than a personal appeal. His intervention was an indication of the UK government's unease with Trump's tone. With Trump set to return to the White House and head to London once more, Starmer's appeal was a move towards establishing limits.
Mayor Sadiq Khan's administration reacted diplomatically. A spokesman said that the mayor would be "delighted" to host Trump in London. "He'd see how our diversity makes us stronger, not weaker; richer, not poorer," read the statement.
Trump's remarks come in a predictable pattern: diplomacy takes a backseat to personal vendettas. From targeting world leaders to city mayors, Trump tends to personalize international visits. His digs at Khan are similar to previous barbs aimed at Germany's Angela Merkel, Canada's Justin Trudeau, and even Pope Francis.
This type of personal diplomacy provokes questions. Can Trump's return to power redefine how leaders everywhere prepare to deal with the US? And will UK leaders such as Starmer continue to resist—or ultimately conform?
