US President Donald Trump has once again criticized London’s Mayor Sadiq Khan during a news conference in Scotland alongside British Prime Minister Keir Starmer. When asked about a potential visit to London in September, Trump confirmed his plans but expressed his disapproval of Khan, stating, “I’m not a fan of your mayor. I think he’s done a terrible job.” Trump went further, labeling Khan a “nasty person” and claiming he had done a “very bad job on terrorism,” calling him a “stone-cold loser” and “very dumb”.
Starmer, who is a friend of Khan’s, interjected to defend the mayor, saying, “He’s a friend of mine, actually.” However, Trump doubled down on his criticism, reiterating that Khan had done a terrible job. The tension between Trump and Khan is not new, with Khan previously accusing Trump of targeting him due to his ethnicity and religion. Despite this, Khan has also stated that he respects the outcome of the US presidential elections.
Khan’s office responded to Trump’ comments, saying the mayor is “delighted that President Trump wants to come to the greatest city in the world” and would show him how London’s diversity makes it stronger and richer. The two have a history of clashing, with Khan writing an article warning of western “reactionary populists” posing a “century-defining challenge” for progressives when Trump returned to the White House earlier this year.
