Trump Criticises London at UN Assembly
U.S. President Donald Trump reignited his feud with London Mayor Sadiq Khan during his address at the United Nations General Assembly on Tuesday.
He told delegates that the UK capital was being run by a “terrible mayor” and accused Khan of having “changed” the city.
Trump went further, suggesting—without evidence—that London wanted to adopt Sharia law.
“I look at London, where you have a terrible mayor, terrible, terrible mayor, and it’s been changed, it’s been so changed. Now they want to go to Sharia law,” he said.
Khan Responds: “Racist, Sexist, Islamophobic”
Khan strongly rejected Trump’s comments, calling the former president “racist, sexist, misogynistic and Islamophobic.”
He added that Trump’s repeated attacks on him revealed an obsession:
“I appear to be living rent-free inside Donald Trump’s head,” Khan said.
“When people say things, when people act in a certain way, when people behave in a certain way, you’ve got to believe them,” he added.
Crime and Immigration Blame
Trump also accused Khan of being responsible for rising crime in London and claimed he had been a “disaster” on immigration.
The remarks were made while Trump was travelling on Air Force One back to Washington following his state visit to the UK.
City Hall Issues Defence
A spokesperson for the mayor defended London in response to the remarks.
“London is the greatest city in the world, safer than major U.S. cities, and we’re delighted to welcome the record number of U.S. citizens moving here,” they said.
A Long-Running Feud
The war of words between the two leaders is not new. Their rivalry dates back to 2015, when Trump called for a “total and complete shutdown” of Muslims entering the United States before assuming office.
Since then, Khan has frequently criticised Trump, while the former president has repeatedly branded the mayor incompetent.
Tensions Within UK Politics
Khan’s confrontational stance is in sharp contrast with Labour colleagues, who have sought to maintain good relations with the U.S. on trade and tariffs.
The UK steel industry has been hit with a 25% tariff—half the rate imposed on other countries.
Awkward Moment for PM
Trump’s attacks on Khan also caused embarrassment during a July news conference in Scotland with Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer.
When Trump called Khan a “nasty person” who had done a “terrible job,” Starmer attempted to ease tensions with humour, interjecting: “He’s a friend of mine.”
Trump, however, doubled down: “I think he’s done a terrible job, but I will certainly visit London, I hope so.”
