Donald Trump has revealed that during his official state visit to the United Kingdom, there was one individual he specifically requested not to see at the royal banquet in Windsor Castle: the Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan.
The former U.S. president, joined by First Lady Melania Trump, completed a two-day visit across the Atlantic that was filled with both diplomatic ceremonies and media controversies. While Melania’s elegant fashion choices drew global headlines, Trump made news for comments about royal protocol and his ongoing rivalry with Khan.
The highlight of the trip was the state banquet at Windsor Castle on September 17, hosted by King Charles. The event, held inside the grand St George’s Hall, featured an elite guest list of around 160 dignitaries, including Apple CEO Tim Cook, media mogul Rupert Murdoch, and OpenAI’s Sam Altman.
But according to Trump, there was one high-profile figure he did not want in the room. Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One on his return flight, Trump said: “One of the worst mayors in the world. I asked that he not be there. He wanted to be there, as I understand. I didn’t want him.”
Trump accused Khan of failing to manage London effectively, claiming the city has faced “disaster” on immigration and escalating violence. His remarks echoed past criticisms where he suggested crime rates in London were “through the roof.”
However, the BBC later reported that Khan had never sought, nor expected, an invitation to the banquet. A spokesperson for the Mayor dismissed Trump’s comments, arguing that the former president thrives on “fear and division.”
The spokesperson added: “London is a global success story — open, dynamic and safer than many major U.S. cities. That’s why so many Americans choose to live here.”
A long-running feud
Trump and Khan’s animosity dates back nearly a decade. The friction began in 2015 when Khan, then a rising political figure, condemned Trump’s proposal to ban Muslims from traveling to the United States.
Tensions escalated in 2017 after the London Bridge terror attack. Trump criticized Khan’s handling of the incident, even suggesting the Mayor should take an IQ test. Khan, in turn, approved the infamous “Trump baby blimp,” which floated above London during Trump’s first state visit in 2019.
Since then, insults have been traded regularly. Trump has branded Khan “a stone-cold loser” and “a nasty person,” while Khan has accused Trump of undermining democratic values. As recently as July, during a press conference in Scotland, Trump reignited the feud, prompting Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer to step in and defend the Mayor, calling him “a friend of mine.”
A divided reception
Trump’s UK trip was not without drama. While world leaders and royals gathered for the banquet, thousands of demonstrators rallied in Parliament Square, protesting his visit. In one incident, four activists were arrested for projecting images of Trump and convicted financier Jeffrey Epstein onto Windsor Castle, a move that drew international headlines.
For Trump, the visit was officially about reinforcing U.S.–UK relations. Yet his decision to revisit one of his most enduring personal rivalries ensured that his clash with London’s mayor once again overshadowed the diplomatic pageantry.
Even years after leaving the White House, Trump’s presence continues to spark debate in Britain — not only for his politics, but for his ability to turn state ceremonies into stages for his own ongoing battles.