London Mayor Sadiq Khan has remarked that US President Donald Trump seems to have a strong interest in him as Trump launched a fresh verbal attack against him. Khan expressed that he is occupying Trump’s thoughts without paying rent, following Trump’s recent derogatory comments branding him as incompetent and a poor representative.
In a spontaneous statement to reporters, Trump criticized Khan, stating, “I don’t want to cause any problems, but your Mayor of London is grossly incompetent.” In response, Khan, who has served as the capital’s mayor for more than a decade and won three elections, questioned why he seems to occupy a significant space in Trump’s mind.
Khan suggested that Trump’s fixation on him might stem from his role as the mayor of a forward-thinking, diverse, and successful city. He highlighted London’s recent recognition as the world’s best city with the Lee Kuan Yew Prize in urban planning, speculating that this achievement may have triggered Trump’s displeasure.
The feud between the two leaders dates back to 2015 when Khan criticized Trump’s proposal to ban Muslims from entering the US. Subsequently, Trump misinterpreted Khan’s remarks on the London Bridge terror attack in 2017, leading to further tensions. Khan also opposed Trump’s state visit, permitting the display of a giant blimp portraying Trump as an irate baby during protests.
Trump’s continuous attacks on Khan, including calling him a “stone cold loser” and a “horrible, vicious, disgusting mayor,” have perpetuated their ongoing discord. Khan, on the other hand, has stood firm in his positions, denouncing Trump’s offensive language and policies.
Regarding his political future, Khan affirmed that he is content with his current role as mayor and has no intentions of pursuing a return to Parliament. He expressed support for his colleague Andy Burnham, who recently assumed office as Makerfield’s MP and is speculated to become the UK’s next Prime Minister.
Khan emphasized his camaraderie with Burnham, highlighting their shared experiences in politics and expressing optimism about collaborating with him in the future. Additionally, Khan expressed disappointment over Keir Starmer’s decision to step down as Prime Minister, noting his respect for Starmer’s leadership.
