London Mayor Sadiq Khan humorously suggested that US President Donald Trump may have a special admiration for him, thereby reigniting their long-standing feud. The two politicians have been engaging in verbal jousting since 2015, with tensions reaching a peak last year when Trump accused Khan of advocating for Sharia law in London during a speech at the UN General Assembly. In response, Khan criticized Trump as being prejudiced and intolerant.
The ongoing war of words escalated recently when Trump, during a random remark in the Oval Office, labeled Khan as a “bad person” and a “horrible representative” for the UK. Khan, speaking at the launch of his Heat Ready Plan in London, brushed off Trump’s comments, questioning why the US President seems fixated on him. Khan humorously speculated that Trump’s interest might stem from his role as mayor of a progressive, multicultural, and successful city, suggesting that London’s recent recognition as the world’s best city may have irked Trump.
The prestigious Lee Kuan Yew Prize in urban planning was awarded to London in June. Khan’s dispute with Trump dates back over a decade, initially sparked by Trump’s proposal to ban Muslims from traveling to the US. The tension further escalated when Khan criticized Trump’s views on Islam as “ignorant” after being elected as mayor in 2016.
Khan also dismissed any intention of returning to national politics after fellow metro mayor Andy Burnham became an MP, stating that he considers his current role as the best in politics. Expressing anticipation of working with Burnham, Khan praised his colleague’s achievements and hinted at a possible future collaboration.
Additionally, Khan expressed sadness over Keir Starmer’s announcement to resign as Prime Minister and commended Starmer for his efforts in revitalizing the party post the 2019 general election defeat.
