Sadiq Khan is once again calling out Donald Trump, claiming the president lashes out at London because, in his words, “he’s jealous he hasn’t got any global cities in America that can compete with London.” The London Mayor made the comment in a new interview with the Financial Times, where he argued that the capital’s success continues to make it a target in political culture wars.
This marks yet another round in the long-running feud between the two leaders. Earlier this month, Trump fired off one of his harshest attacks yet, saying: “He’s an incompetent mayor, but he’s a horrible, vicious, disgusting mayor. I think he’s done a terrible job. London’s a different place.”
Khan pushed back, questioning if Trump is “obsessed” and pointed out that “there are far fewer homicides in London than in any state in the US, far fewer than in New York, LA or Chicago.” He also threw in a jab at infrastructure, saying, “I’d be happy to compare Trump’s favourite city’s subway with our Elizabeth Line.”
Trump has previously claimed there are no-go zones for police in London and even suggested it’s becoming dangerous. In 2024, his ally, Vice President J.D. Vance, added fuel by claiming the city was turning into an “Islamist country.”
Khan also had strong words for British MPs who criticize London, calling them “unpatriotic” and accusing them of tearing down a city that represents values like diversity, progress, and multiculturalism. “We’re the antithesis of all the stuff they talk about,” he said. “I can see that they are worried about London’s success.”
He didn’t spare his own party either, cautioning Labour leader Keir Starmer not to lean too hard into tax plans that could drive wealthy non-doms out of the city. “The idea that all non-doms are bogeymen is not my experience,” Khan said.
