UK prime minister caught in awkward exchange after Trump labels London mayor ‘nasty’
Keir Starmer quickly defended London Mayor Sadiq Khan after Donald Trump openly called him a “nasty person,” highlighting the tension during Trump's UK visit.
Donald Trump’s recent visit to the UK became uncomfortable for Prime Minister Keir Starmer when Trump openly criticized Starmer’s friend and political ally, London Mayor Sir Sadiq Khan.
Trump’s comment came during an hour-long joint press conference in Edinburgh, Scotland, where Trump and Starmer discussed issues including tariffs, Russia’s war in Ukraine, and the ongoing crisis in Gaza.
When asked by reporters if he planned to visit London during his State Visit scheduled for September, Trump didn’t hesitate to criticize Khan publicly, saying, “I will, I’m not a fan of your mayor, I think he’s done a terrible job,” and labeling Khan “a nasty person.”
Starmer steps in to defend Khan
The remark visibly put Starmer in an awkward spot. Sitting next to Trump, the Prime Minister swiftly interjected, calmly noting, “He’s a friend of mine.”
However, Trump’s criticism continued despite Starmer’s polite pushback. Trump reiterated, “I think he’s done a terrible job, but I will certainly visit London. I hope so.”
Sadiq Khan and Trump have a history of disagreements, frequently exchanging critical statements. In response to Trump’s latest remarks, Khan’s spokesperson struck a positive yet pointed tone, saying:
“Sadiq is delighted that President Trump wants to come to the greatest city in the world. He’d see how our diversity makes us stronger, not weaker; richer, not poorer.”
Adding a sharp note, the statement concluded:
“Perhaps these are the reasons why a record number of Americans have applied for British citizenship under his presidency.”
Trump praises Starmer’s family amid controversy
Despite the awkward exchange, Trump also made efforts to highlight the strength of UK-US relations, openly praising Starmer and notably his family, remarking: “The prime minister, he’s been so supportive of us and so strong and so respected…I respect him much more today than I did before, because I just met his wife and family. He’s got a perfect wife, and that’s never easy to achieve.”
Trump’s September State Visit, where he is scheduled to meet King Charles and Queen Camilla, has sparked mixed reactions. While some people have expressed enthusiasm, seeing it as an important diplomatic moment, others voiced strong criticism, particularly on social media.
One user on the Royal Family’s social media questioned, “Is this the first time the royals have hosted a convicted felon?” Another added, “London does not accept felons.”
However, Trump’s supporters defended the visit passionately, describing it as “history in the making” and a significant diplomatic event.
As Trump’s visit in September approaches, all eyes will be on London to see how the tensions play out on the global stage.
