Trump Blocks London Mayor from Events
During his state visit to Britain, President Donald Trump openly admitted that he did not want London Mayor Sadiq Khan to attend official ceremonies. When asked by reporters about the mayor’s absence, Trump gave a direct answer: “I don’t want him there. I asked that he not be there.”
The president went on to explain that Khan had wanted to attend but was blocked at Trump’s request. “He wanted to be there, as I understand. I didn’t want him. I’ve not liked him for a long time,” Trump said. He then described Khan as one of the “worst mayors in the world.”
Trump’s comments highlighted his long-standing criticism of Khan’s leadership in London. He accused the mayor of failing to control crime and said immigration under his leadership was a “disaster.” According to Trump, crime in the city has reached alarming levels, and he linked it directly to what he called poor leadership by the mayor.
The president spoke personally about his ties to the United Kingdom, noting that his mother was born in Scotland. He said he takes pride in Britain but feels disappointed by the way London is being managed. He also referred to the city’s problems with violence, specifically mentioning stabbings, and claimed that London no longer feels the same to him.
Comparisons with US Leaders
Trump did not stop at criticizing Khan. He also drew comparisons with leaders in the United States, tying the London mayor to California Governor Gavin Newsom and the mayor of Chicago. “If you look at Chicago. If you look at… I think [Khan] is the equivalent of the Mayor of Chicago,” Trump said, before adding that he sees similar failings in US cities run by Democrats.
He accused those leaders of mismanaging major urban centers, linking issues such as crime and immigration to their leadership. In his words, both Khan and some American officials represent a style of governance that, according to him, fails to address the real problems of big cities.
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By comparing Khan with Gavin Newsom, Trump sought to extend his critique beyond Britain, making it a broader comment on city leadership across the Western world. His message was clear: in his view, many large cities are suffering because of weak leadership, and Khan serves as an example of this trend.
Despite the sharp tone, Trump reserved positive words for others he met during his state visit. He praised the royal family, describing King Charles and Queen Camilla as “fantastic people.” He also expressed gratitude for the warm reception he received throughout his trip.
Praise for Starmer and Historic Agreements
Alongside the criticism of Khan, Trump also spoke highly of British Prime Minister Keir Starmer. He described the prime minister as a strong partner and said he felt “tremendously thankful” for the cooperation between the two countries.
During the visit, Trump and Starmer signed a major agreement on science and technology. The deal includes significant investment commitments from US companies, which are expected to bring billions of dollars into joint projects. Trump said the agreement was proof of the “unbreakable bond” between the two nations.
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The leaders also discussed pressing global issues. Their talks covered the war in Ukraine, the ongoing conflict in Gaza, and future trade opportunities. Trump underlined that the United States and the United Kingdom share a relationship “like no other anywhere in the world.”
The president’s visit concluded with a ceremonial farewell at Windsor Castle, followed by final meetings at Chequers, the official country residence of the prime minister. He then boarded his plane back to Washington on Thursday evening.
Although Trump’s comments about Khan drew the most headlines, the trip was also marked by strong diplomatic gestures, large agreements, and public praise for Britain’s institutions and leadership.
