London (Parliament Politics Magazine) – London Mayor Sadiq Khan called US President Donald Trump “racist, sexist, and Islamophobic” after Trump labeled him a “terrible mayor” at the UN.
As reported by The Independent, Sir Sadiq Khan called Donald Trump “Islamophobic and sexist” following the president’s latest attack on him.
Mr Khan’s remarks came after President Trump called him a “terrible mayor” in the latest episode of their ongoing feud.
Sadiq Khan’s views on Donald Trump’s remarks
Sir Sadiq Khan said,
“People are wondering what it is about this Muslim mayor who leads a liberal, multicultural, progressive, successful city that means I appear to be living rent-free inside Donald Trump’s head.”
During an interview, when questioned whether Mr Trump’s comments were Islamophobic, the mayor responded,
“Listen, when people say things, when people act in a certain way, when people behave in a certain way, you’ve got to believe them.”
He stated,
“I think President Trump has shown he is racist, he is sexist, he is misogynistic, and he’s Islamophobic.”
In response to the president’s accusation that he is a “terrible mayor”, Mr Khan said,
“I’m just thankful that we have record numbers of Americans coming to London.”
He stated,
“There must be a reason for that. You look at a number of different criteria, we’re often the number one city in the globe when it comes to culture, when it comes to foreign investment, when it comes to sports, when it comes to the ability of people to fulfil their potential.”
Mr Khan added,
“I’m really proud we are the greatest city in the world, long may that continue.”
What did Donald Trump say about London’s mayor at the UN?
Speaking at the UN General Assembly in New York on Tuesday, 23 September, Donald Trump said,
“I look at London, where you have a terrible mayor, terrible, terrible mayor, and it’s been changed, it’s been so changed.”
He stated,
“Now they want to go to Sharia law. But you are in a different country, you can’t do that.”
Mr Trump also attributed London’s increasing crime, which he called “through the roof,” to Mr Khan’s leadership and criticized his handling of immigration as a “disaster.”
President Trump and Mr Khan have maintained tense ties since 2015, when the then-presidential candidate called for a “total and complete shutdown” of Muslim immigration to the US.
The London mayor’s stance on Mr Trump contrasts with his Labour peers, who have tried to stay on the US president’s side over trade and tariff issues.
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer faced an awkward moment during Mr. Trump’s visit to Scotland in July, stemming from the ongoing tensions between the US president and the London mayor.
Mr Trump criticized Mr Khan as a “nasty person” who had performed “terribly,” to which Sir Keir laughed and remarked,
“He’s a friend of mine.”
The president added,
“I think he’s done a terrible job but I will certainly visit London, I hope so.”
What did Wes Streeting say in defense of Sadiq Khan?
Health secretary Wes Streeting said the mayor was “not trying to impose sharia law on London.”
He added, he is
“a mayor who marches with Pride, who stands up for difference of background and opinion, who’s focused on improving our transport, our air, our streets, our safety, our choices and chances.”
Rupa Huq and Rosena Allin-Khan’s stance on Trump’s comments
Ealing Central and Acton MP Rupa Huq called Mr. Trump’s comments “blatant, bare-faced lies.”
Rosena Allin-Khan, who succeeded Sir Sadiq as Tooting MP, called for the US ambassador to be summoned over Trump’s comments.
What did Pat McFadden say about Trump’s criticism of Sadiq Khan?
Work and Pensions Secretary Pat McFadden rejected Trump’s attack, saying the president had “a beef” with Sir Sadiq for years.
He said,
“As regards the United Kingdom, on the comments on London, look, I just think it’s a misreading of our great capital city.”
Mr McFadden added,
“This is a big asset to the United Kingdom. It’s known all over the world, it’s a big engine of our economy, of creativity. I think the two of them have had a beef for some years.”
Donald Trump’s visits to the UK
From July 12–15, 2018, President Trump met Prime Minister Theresa May and Queen Elizabeth II at Windsor Castle. From June 3–5, 2019, he attended a state visit, including D-Day ceremonies in Portsmouth.
On December 2–4, 2019, he took part in the NATO Summit in London and Watford. Most recently, from September 16–18, 2025, he made a state visit hosted by King Charles III and met Prime Minister Keir Starmer.