Donald Trump Calls London Mayor Sadiq Khan A "Nasty Person"
Donald Trump made comments about London Mayor Sadiq Khan at a press conference in Scotland (Alamy)
3 min read
US President Donald Trump said that London Mayor Sadiq Khan was a “nasty person” who had done a “terrible job” in office.
Trump joined Prime Minister Keir Starmer at the US President’s Turnberry golf course in Scotland on Monday, with the two leaders speaking together in a bilateral meeting.
Trump said that he would be visiting London as part of his upcoming second state visit in September, but added that he was “not a fan of your mayor”, referring to Khan.
“I think he’s done a terrible job as the Mayor of London, a nasty person,” Trump said, prompting Starmer to interject: "He's a friend of mine."
In January, Khan said that he hoped Trump would be "different from the last time he was president".
Khan has been repeatedly criticised by X owner Elon Musk, who was formerly in Trump’s government.
Following the press conference, a spokesperson for Khan said: “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.
“Perhaps these are the reasons why a record number of Americans have applied for British citizenship under his Presidency.”
Trump was also asked about whether he had any advice for the UK in dealing with a polarised world and the differences between Starmer and Reform UK leader Nigel Farage.
The president said he liked Starmer “a lot” but that he also likes Farage, describing Starmer as "slightly liberal, not that liberal, slightly", while the other is "slightly conservative".
“Politics is pretty simple,” Trump continued.
“But generally, the one who cuts taxes the most, the one who gives you the lowest energy prices, the best kind of energy, the one that keeps you out of wars, if you have a few basics… low taxes, keep us safe, no crime.”
Starmer emphasised the 'special relationship' between the UK and the US and their leaders.
“It's a close historic relationship," he said.
"We've fought together in the past. We've always stood together, and I’m very pleased we’ve got such a good personal relationship between us.
“I think it just shows that even if you come from different political perspectives, different backgrounds, actually, there's a huge amount of common ground when it comes to what is in the best interests of our two great countries.”
Trump also told reporters that he was setting a new deadline for Russian leader Vladimir Putin to agree to a deal for a ceasefire in Ukraine, otherwise, the US might impose sanctions and tariffs. He had previously set a 50-day deadline, which he has now effectively halved, pending official confirmation.
Asked about wind energy policy, Trump was scathing about wind turbines, describing them as “ugly monsters all over the place” in Scotland.
"Wind is the most expensive form of energy, and it destroys the beauty of your fields and your plains and your waterways," Trump said.
This proved to be a point of difference between Trump and Starmer, with the UK Prime Minister insisting that the UK believes in a “mix” of energy sources, including wind, solar, coal, gas, and “increasingly, nuclear”.
Earlier in the day, Trump praised the Starmer government's "stronger stance" on immigration, and warned that "you're not going to have Europe anymore" if illegal migration to the continent continues.
