LONDON, UK — An official visit by former U.S. President Donald Trump took a tense turn for British Prime Minister Keir Starmer after Trump made a sharp personal remark about London Mayor Sadiq Khan, referring to him as a “n@sty person.”
The comment created an awkward moment for Starmer, who has long maintained a personal and political friendship with Khan.
Trump, currently in the UK on what Starmer described as a “very special and unprecedented” state visit, met with the Prime Minister to discuss a range of key international issues, including U.S.-UK trade relations, the war in Ukraine, and the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
The visit, while not an official state occasion with traditional parliamentary honors, was framed as an opportunity to deepen transatlantic ties amid evolving global tensions.
However, during a media interaction in Scotland, Trump shifted focus from policy matters to personalities, offering warm praise for both Starmer and Nigel Farage, the leader of the right-wing Reform UK party.
“I like both men,” Trump said. “Keir seems like a great guy, and so does Nigel. I don’t really follow your politics, but one seems a little liberal, the other a little conservative. Still, they’re both good men.”
But the tone changed dramatically when Trump was asked about London’s Mayor, Sadiq Khan, who has frequently clashed with Trump in the past, especially during Trump’s presidency.
“I’m not a fan of your mayor. I think he’s done a terrible job… a nasty person,” Trump declared bluntly.
The comment placed Prime Minister Starmer in an uncomfortable position, as he has previously referred to Khan as both a colleague and a friend. Attempting to defuse the tension, Starmer responded with an uneasy laugh and said, “He’s a friend of mine, actually.”
Trump, however, remained firm. “I still think he’s done a terrible job,” he replied. “But I’d certainly visit London.”
The tension did not overshadow Trump’s broader messaging during the visit, in which he repeatedly emphasized his personal rapport with British political figures. “Nigel is a friend of mine. Keir is a friend of mine,” Trump stated, signaling an attempt to maintain cordial relationships across the UK’s political spectrum.
One notable departure from tradition was the lack of a formal address to the UK Parliament. Nigel Farage criticized the omission, but Trump dismissed the concern, suggesting flexibility: “If Keir wants me to speak in Parliament, I’ll do it. Doesn’t have to be now—it could happen another time.”
Responding to Trump’s personal attack, a spokesperson for Sadiq Khan issued a diplomatic but pointed statement. “We welcome President Trump to London—the greatest city in the world,” the statement read. It went on to highlight London’s diversity as a source of strength and noted that during Trump’s presidency, a record number of Americans had applied for British citizenship, hinting at the city’s appeal in contrast to Trump’s leadership.
While the visit was aimed at strengthening diplomatic cooperation, Trump’s remarks served as a reminder of the unpredictability that accompanies his presence on the world stage—leaving Prime Minister Starmer to navigate an uncomfortable balancing act between diplomacy and personal loyalty.