Trump slams London mayor Sadiq Khan on UK visit, calls him a "nasty person" | WATCH

U.S. President Donald Trump reignited his long-standing feud with London Mayor Sadiq Khan during a press conference yesterday (Monday) at his Trump Turnberry golf resort in South Ayrshire, Scotland. Seated alongside British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, Trump called Khan a “nasty person” who has done a “terrible job” managing London, prompting an awkward moment when Starmer defended Khan as a “friend.” Khan’s spokesperson fired back, dismissing Trump’s remarks and highlighting London’s appeal with a surge in American applications for British citizenship.

The comments came during a four-day informal visit to Scotland, primarily to visit Trump’s golf courses, though the press conference followed discussions with Starmer on trade, the Gaza conflict, and other global issues. When asked if he would visit London during his upcoming state visit in September, Trump affirmed he would but took a swipe at Khan: “I’m not a fan of your mayor. I think he’s done a terrible job … a nasty person.” Starmer, a Labour Party colleague of Khan, interjected, “He’s a friend of mine, actually,” creating a tense moment widely shared on social media.

Khan’s spokesperson responded: “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.” The retort alluded to claims that 412,000 Americans applied for UK citizenship in 2025, though these figures remain unverified.

The Trump-Khan feud spans years, rooted in ideological clashes. In 2016, Khan, the first Muslim mayor of a major Western capital, called Trump’s views on Islam “ignorant,” prompting Trump to challenge him to an IQ test. In 2017, Trump criticized Khan’s response to the London Bridge attack, misrepresenting his call for calm as dismissive. In 2019, Trump branded Khan a “stone cold loser” upon arriving in the UK, after Khan permitted a “Trump baby” blimp during London protests. Khan has accused Trump of targeting him due to his ethnicity and Muslim faith, a claim he reiterated in a 2024 podcast, saying, “If I wasn’t this color skin, if I wasn’t a practicing Muslim, he wouldn’t have come for me.”

Critics have pointed to Khan’s handling of rising knife crime and gang violence in London as a basis for Trump’s attacks, while Khan’s defenders argue he’s strengthened community policing and youth programs. Khan’s third-term re-election in 2024 was highlighted by allies as a contrast to Trump’s 2020 election loss, with one noting, “Sadiq has won three elections to be London mayor—Trump lost in 2020.”

Trump’s remarks stirred broader controversy. On arriving in Scotland on July 25, he claimed Europe faced a “horrible invasion” of migrants, a stance he reiterated Monday, warning, “Europe is going to be a much different place … They’ve got to get their act together.” The comments drew criticism for inflaming tensions, though Trump praised Reform UK leader Nigel Farage, calling him a “friend,” alongside Starmer.

Starmer and Trump discussed pressing issues, including a Gaza ceasefire, US-UK trade, Iran, and Ukraine, with both leaders calling for de-escalation in the Middle East. Trump’s September state visit, hosted by King Charles III, will include a stay at Windsor Castle, though he won’t address Parliament, a decision Farage criticized. Trump shrugged off the snub, saying, “If he wants me to speak in Parliament, I’ll do it.”

The exchange has polarized sentiment, with some cheering Trump’s bluntness—“No political games, just the God’s honest truth,” one social media user wrote—while others mocked his fixation on Khan amid global crisesAs Trump prepares for his UK state visit, the spat ensures Khan will remain a focal point of his criticism.

Sources: BBC, Politico, CBS