London Mayor Sadiq Khan has reignited his long-standing feud with US president-elect Donald Trump, accusing him of targeting him due to his ethnicity and Muslim faith. Speaking on the High Performance podcast, Khan described Trump’s criticisms as “incredibly personal” and rooted in prejudice.
Feud Began Over Trump’s Muslim Travel Ban
The acrimonious relationship between the two figures began during Trump’s first presidency in 2017, when Khan openly criticized Trump’s controversial travel ban on several Muslim-majority countries. In response, Trump accused the mayor, the son of Pakistani immigrants and the first Muslim to lead a Western capital, of failing to tackle terrorism effectively. He went on to label Khan as a “stone-cold loser” and “very dumb.”
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The feud escalated in 2018 when a blimp depicting Trump as a baby in a diaper was flown over London during his visit, with Khan permitting the protest. Trump viewed the move as another personal attack, further fueling their public clash.
“He’s Come for Me Because of My Ethnicity and Religion”
In the podcast recorded before Trump’s re-election on November 5 and released this week, Khan reiterated his belief that Trump’s attacks were racially motivated.
“If I wasn’t this color skin, if I wasn’t a practicing Muslim, he wouldn’t have come for me,” Khan asserted. He emphasized his responsibility to speak out against Trump’s “sexist, homophobic, Islamophobic, and racist” policies, adding that the criticisms were not just about him but about standing against bigotry and prejudice.
Contrasting Stances Within the UK Government
Khan’s strong statements come as the UK government seeks to manage its relationship with Trump, who is set to return for a second presidential term. While Khan has been a vocal critic, other British political figures, including members of the Labour Party, appear to have softened their rhetoric.
Foreign Secretary David Lammy, known for his scathing remarks about Trump in the past, recently described his earlier comments, including calling Trump a “woman-hating, neo-Nazi sympathizing sociopath,” as “old news.” Lammy and other senior Labour figures have adopted a more diplomatic tone in light of Trump’s return to power.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Keir Starmer has expressed a desire to build a positive relationship with Trump. Congratulating the president-elect on his “historic election victory,” Starmer described their phone conversation as “very positive and constructive” and emphasized hopes for a prosperous partnership between the US and UK during Trump’s second term.
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Khan’s latest comments highlight his commitment to challenging discriminatory policies, even as the broader political establishment in the UK adjusts its approach to the Trump presidency. His remarks highlight the ongoing tension between London’s mayoralty and the White House, a rare occurrence in modern international relations.