It was supposed to be a formal diplomatic exchange—carefully choreographed, with all the usual handshakes, photo ops, and polished soundbites. But then, in a moment that could only be described as classic Trump, the tone shifted. And when it did, the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom found himself visibly uncomfortable, caught between an American president’s candor and a long-standing political friendship at home.
President Donald Trump’s latest visit to the United Kingdom—particularly his stop in Scotland to meet with newly elected Prime Minister Keir Starmer—was billed as historic. The two were expected to tackle a long list of high-stakes topics: U.S.–UK trade tariffs, the deepening humanitarian crisis in Gaza, and the ever-evolving situation in Ukraine. But what ended up dominating headlines wasn’t foreign policy—it was a comment. A blunt one.
During what appeared to be a lighthearted moment in an otherwise serious meeting, Trump turned his attention to one of the UK’s most high-profile politicians: London Mayor Sadiq Khan. But rather than extending the diplomatic pleasantries typically reserved for such figures, Trump opted for a very different tone.
“I’m not a fan of your mayor,” Trump said, seated beside Prime Minister Starmer. “I think he’s done a terrible job… a nasty person.”
The room shifted.
The comment landed with the weight of a punch—not just because of its abrasiveness, but because of who was sitting across from Trump. Starmer, leader of the Labour Party and the newly appointed Prime Minister, has long counted Khan among his political allies and personal friends.
Caught off guard but visibly attempting to maintain composure, Starmer reached toward Trump with an awkward smile and replied, “He’s a friend of mine, actually.”
It was the kind of moment political aides dread and late-night comedians love. A flash of discomfort, a dash of forced laughter, and a diplomatic dance unfolding in real time.
A War of Words Reignited
Trump’s disdain for Khan is nothing new. Their feud dates back years, rooted in a mix of political clashes and personal jabs. Khan, a vocal critic of Trump’s policies and rhetoric, notably condemned Trump’s state visit to the UK in 2019, comparing him to 20th-century fascists and accusing him of promoting division and hatred.
Trump, in turn, labeled Khan “a stone-cold loser” and “incompetent.” And while his more recent remark during this week’s Scotland meeting was slightly more measured in tone, it reaffirmed that the animosity is alive and well.
Still, the stakes are higher this time around. Trump is once again the U.S. President. Khan remains a central figure in British politics. And Starmer—just weeks into his new role as Prime Minister—is navigating delicate terrain between global diplomacy and party loyalty.
The Starmer–Trump Dynamic
Interestingly, the rest of Trump’s remarks during the meeting suggested a cordial, even friendly relationship with Starmer. He went out of his way to praise the UK leader—despite admitting he didn’t know the nuances of British politics.
“I happen to like both men. I like this man (Sir Keir) a lot, and I like Nigel [Farage],” Trump said. “I would say one is slightly liberal—not that liberal, slightly—and the other one is slightly conservative. But they’re both good men.”
The inclusion of Farage, the leader of the populist Reform UK party and longtime Trump ally, raised some eyebrows. Trump appeared to lump Farage and Starmer into the same “good guy” category, which might seem bizarre to political observers familiar with the stark ideological divide between the two.
Yet for Trump, personal relationships have often mattered more than policy alignment. He’s consistently valued loyalty, flattery, and chemistry above political party lines—domestically and internationally.
Still, it’s unclear how much of Trump’s friendliness was genuine and how much was strategic, particularly given his thinly veiled distaste for Sadiq Khan.
Starmer’s Tightrope Act
Starmer’s response to Trump’s Khan comments was telling. Rather than offering a strong rebuttal, he treaded lightly. The awkward smile. The hesitant interruption. The simple “He’s a friend of mine, actually.”
For critics, this may come across as weak—a failure to defend a long-standing political ally in the face of foreign criticism. For others, it may signal diplomacy: a new Prime Minister trying not to rock the boat with the leader of Britain’s most important ally.
Starmer is, after all, still settling into office after defeating the Conservative Party in a landslide general election victory. His government is eager to stabilize UK–US relations post-Brexit, rebuild trust with European allies, and project confidence on the global stage. Picking a fight with the U.S. President—even over a friend—might not be high on his to-do list.
Trump Declines Parliament Address
Adding another layer of intrigue to the visit, it was announced that President Trump would not be addressing the UK Parliament during this state visit.
Nigel Farage, never shy about defending Trump or criticizing the establishment, expressed disappointment over the decision. But Trump himself didn’t seem particularly concerned.
“As far as Parliament, if [Starmer] wants me to speak in Parliament, I’ll do it. But it doesn’t have to be now. It could be some other time,” Trump said, suggesting the moment wasn’t right. “Maybe we should save it for another time.”
Starmer described the visit as “unprecedented and very special,” full of “elements never before seen,” suggesting that the trip was meant to emphasize symbolic diplomacy rather than traditional protocol.
That could explain why the Parliament speech—typically a key feature of major state visits—was sidelined. Still, the decision to exclude it likely added fuel to the fire for critics who see Trump’s UK presence as both disruptive and controversial.
The Khan Camp Responds
Unsurprisingly, Sadiq Khan’s spokesperson was quick to respond to Trump’s jab, taking the opportunity to highlight London’s diversity and appeal.
“Sadiq is delighted that President Trump wants to come to the greatest city in the world,” the spokesperson said. “He’d see how our diversity makes us stronger not weaker; richer, not poorer.”
The response didn’t directly address Trump’s insult but instead reframed the narrative around London’s inclusive values—values Khan has championed throughout his tenure as Mayor.
The spokesperson also took a subtle swipe at Trump’s presidency, pointing out that under his leadership, a record number of Americans applied for British citizenship—suggesting a desire to escape, rather than emulate, Trump’s America.
Nigel Farage—The Common Link?
Trump’s mention of Nigel Farage as a “friend” alongside Starmer sparked speculation about whether Farage’s increasing political relevance might influence U.S.–UK relations.
Farage has been a longtime critic of both the EU and Sadiq Khan. His Reform UK party, once seen as a fringe movement, has recently gained traction amid growing dissatisfaction with both major parties. For Trump, who has long admired populist, nationalist leaders, Farage’s resurgence is likely viewed as a positive development.
But for Starmer, balancing praise from Trump while distancing himself from Farage’s ideology is a diplomatic puzzle. It’s unclear whether Trump’s comments were intended as harmless flattery or subtle political maneuvering—perhaps even an attempt to sow tension between British leaders.
Regardless of intent, the optics were clear: Trump likes Starmer, likes Farage, and loathes Khan.
Public Reaction
Public reaction in the UK was swift and divided. Some applauded Starmer for keeping the meeting civil and focusing on larger diplomatic issues. Others accused him of being too passive in the face of Trump’s public disrespect toward a fellow Labour leader.
On social media, many pointed out the irony: Trump claimed to “like” Starmer, yet insulted someone who had been a visible and vocal part of Starmer’s political ecosystem. Others noted the pattern—Trump’s disdain for minority leaders or those who directly challenge him, as Khan has.
In U.S. media, the moment was framed as classic Trump—disruptive, unfiltered, and unconcerned with diplomatic niceties. But it also highlighted the evolving dynamics of U.S.–UK relations in a post-Brexit, post-pandemic, and potentially post-political-correctness era.
A Preview of 2028?
Trump’s return to the international stage—now as a sitting president once more—also raises questions about how his foreign policy approach will evolve in a second term. His past state visits were marked by unpredictability, personal feuds, and transactional diplomacy.
If this visit is any indication, little has changed.
For Starmer, who may still be in office in 2028 when the next UK general election is scheduled, maintaining a productive relationship with Trump while upholding British political values could become a recurring challenge.
And for Sadiq Khan, Trump’s renewed presidency means four more years of transatlantic criticism—unless, of course, the two ever meet face-to-face again.
Final Thoughts
Diplomacy is often about restraint. But when it comes to Donald Trump, restraint is rarely part of the script. His blunt remarks about Sadiq Khan might have been off-the-cuff, but they reignited long-standing tensions and forced an awkward moment onto an international stage.
For Keir Starmer, it was an early test of statesmanship: defend a political friend, or keep things friendly with an unpredictable president. He chose the latter—for now.
But in a world where politics, personality, and perception are so tightly intertwined, it remains to be seen whether the cost of that silence will echo louder than any words he could have said.
Adrian Hawthorne is a celebrated author and dedicated archivist who finds inspiration in the hidden stories of the past. Educated at Oxford, he now works at the National Archives, where preserving history fuels his evocative writing. Balancing archival precision with creative storytelling, Adrian founded the Hawthorne Institute of Literary Arts to mentor emerging writers and honor the timeless art of narrative.