The conversation around leadership in major European capitals took a fiery turn this week, with US President Donald Trump launching a fresh verbal attack on London Mayor Sir Sadiq Khan.
Speaking to POLITICO’s Dasha Burns at the White House on December 8, Trump didn’t hold back, describing Khan as a “horrible, vicious, disgusting mayor” and criticizing his tenure in London.
Trump claimed that Khan’s election was largely due to an influx of new residents voting for him, asserting that the city has changed dramatically under his leadership.
“I think he’s done a terrible job. London’s a different place. I love London, and I hate to see it happen,” Trump said, emphasizing his personal ties to Europe.
A History of Criticism
This latest salvo isn’t the first time Trump has publicly attacked the London Mayor.
At the UN General Assembly in September, he controversially suggested London was moving toward Sharia law under Khan’s watch, comments that Sir Keir Starmer dismissed as “ridiculous nonsense.”
Trump also previously labeled Khan as “nasty” during a press conference in Scotland, prompting Prime Minister Keir Starmer to step in awkwardly, calling Khan “a friend of mine.”
Migration and European Decline
Trump’s criticisms were framed within the broader context of the White House’s newly released National Security Strategy (NSS), which warns that European countries could face “civilisational erasure” within the next two decades due to mass migration.
He repeatedly cited London and Paris as examples of cities he believes are in decline because of uncontrolled immigration.
According to Trump, Europe’s approach to migration—allowing people from places like the Congo, including prison populations, to enter—is “disastrous” and politically misguided.
“Many of those countries will not be viable countries any longer,” he warned, contrasting this with the US approach, which he claims has halted illegal migration entirely.
Critique of European Leadership
Trump didn’t stop at mayors and immigration.
He extended his critique to the continent’s handling of the Ukraine war, accusing European nations of talking too much without taking meaningful action.
“Europe is not doing a good job in many ways… They talk but they don’t produce,” he said, drawing a stark contrast with the perceived strength of the United States on the global stage.
The NSS report reinforced Trump’s message, highlighting issues such as censorship, migration policies, and the erosion of national identities, warning that Europe’s economic decline is eclipsed by “the real and more stark prospect of civilisational erasure.”
The report praised the influence of nationalist and patriotic European parties, encouraging them to resist Europe’s current trajectory.
Reactions Across Europe
Responses to Trump’s comments and the NSS have been highly polarized.
Some European populist leaders, like Hungary’s Viktor Orban and the Netherlands’ Geert Wilders, praised the report, emphasizing its support for strong immigration control and national sovereignty.
Meanwhile, centrist politicians criticized the strategy, with German Bundestag member Norbert Röttgen warning that it could threaten the EU’s cohesion.
European Council President António Costa condemned perceived US interference in European politics, stressing that America cannot dictate Europe’s vision of freedom of expression.
Trump’s Pressure on Ukraine
Trump also turned his attention to the war in Ukraine, criticizing President Volodymyr Zelensky for allegedly dragging his feet on accepting a US-brokered peace plan.
He warned that Russia holds the upper hand in negotiations and urged Zelensky to act quickly, referencing a revised peace proposal that Ukraine planned to submit.
Trump framed the conflict as another example of Europe’s ineffectiveness, contrasting it with America’s decisive approach.
America First on Display
At its core, the NSS report and Trump’s comments underscore his long-standing “America First” philosophy, signaling that the days of the US supporting the global order without question are over.
The report, with its blunt critique of Europe, has sparked concern across the continent, highlighting the delicate balance of transatlantic relations and the diverging perspectives on migration, security, and national sovereignty.
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