US President Donald Trump has reignited his long-running feud with London Mayor Sadiq Khan, launching a fresh round of criticism during a meeting at the White House with NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte.
While discussing issues facing the United Kingdom, Trump singled out Khan, describing him as an ineffective leader and accusing him of failing to address crime and immigration challenges in the British capital.
Speaking to reporters, Trump claimed London was suffering from serious public safety concerns and argued that immigration had contributed to rising crime levels.
He portrayed the mayor as an unsuitable representative for Britain and said the city’s leadership had become a major concern.
Khan Recently Linked Threats Against Him to Trump’s Political Rise
Trump’s latest remarks come only days after Khan suggested that the president’s political success had contributed to a dramatic increase in threats directed at him.
In an interview with Italy’s La Repubblica newspaper, the mayor said abuse and threats against him surged after Trump’s first presidential victory in 2016.
According to Khan, the situation worsened again following Trump’s return to office, forcing him to remain under police protection.
Khan argued that no elected official should have to face such risks simply for carrying out public duties.
London’s Diversity at the Centre of the Dispute
Reflecting on why he believes he has become a frequent target of Trump and his supporters, Khan pointed to London’s identity as a multicultural and diverse city.
The mayor described London as a place that embraces different ethnicities, religions and cultures, saying those values stand in direct contrast to the worldview promoted by some nationalist political movements.
Khan also accused foreign actors, including Russia and China, of helping spread misinformation online, while insisting that London continues to grow cleaner, safer and more prosperous despite criticism from abroad.
A Political Feud That Has Lasted More Than a Decade
The tension between Trump and Khan is far from new.
Their public disagreements date back to 2015, when Trump first campaigned for the presidency while advocating restrictions on Muslim entry into the United States.
Since then, the pair have repeatedly exchanged insults through interviews, speeches and social media commentary.
Over the years, the dispute has evolved from disagreements over immigration and security into a broader ideological clash.
Trump has frequently criticised Khan’s leadership of London, while Khan has accused the US president of promoting racism, sexism and Islamophobia.
Previous Remarks Escalated the Conflict
The relationship deteriorated further in recent months after Trump made controversial comments about London’s future during an address to the United Nations General Assembly.
At the time, he suggested the city was undergoing dramatic changes because of immigration and controversially claimed London was moving toward Sharia law, despite offering no evidence to support the assertion.
Khan responded sharply, condemning the remarks and accusing Trump of using divisive rhetoric.
The exchanges intensified again late last year when Trump described Khan in highly personal terms during an interview and claimed Britain had lost control of its borders.
In response, Khan joked that he appeared to occupy a permanent place in Trump’s thoughts, saying he could not understand the president’s apparent fixation on him.
Downing Street Previously Drawn Into the Row
The ongoing dispute has occasionally created political complications for the British government.
Last year, questions were raised about whether Prime Minister Keir Starmer had done enough to defend Khan after Trump’s attacks.
Downing Street responded by emphasising that Starmer maintained positive working relationships with both men.
The government avoided taking sides, instead stressing the importance of cooperation between British and American leaders.
London Faces Scrutiny Over Grooming Gang Inquiry
Trump’s latest criticism arrives at a sensitive moment for London.
The capital has been selected as one of the first locations to be examined under a new national inquiry into grooming gangs.
Khan has previously faced criticism from political opponents over comments he made regarding organised child sexual exploitation in the city.
Conservative figures at City Hall accused him of failing to take victims’ concerns seriously, allegations his supporters strongly reject.
The issue remains politically contentious as investigations continue.
Trump Turns Attention to Britain’s Energy Policy
Beyond his comments about London, Trump also used the White House appearance to weigh in on Britain’s economic and energy future.
Discussing Labour politician Andy Burnham, who is widely expected to play a significant role in future government discussions, Trump described him as highly liberal and suggested that such politics could hinder development of North Sea oil reserves.
The US president argued that Britain possesses one of the world’s most valuable energy resources and claimed major international oil companies would be willing to invest billions of dollars to expand production.
According to Trump, failing to fully exploit North Sea oil would be a costly mistake for the UK economy.
He warned that restrictions on fossil fuel development could deprive Britain of significant revenue at a time when governments face mounting financial pressures.
The comments added another layer to Trump’s intervention in British political debates, combining criticism of London’s leadership with a broader challenge to the country’s immigration, crime and energy policies.
