Sadiq Khan criticized Donald Trump’s approach as being centered on instilling fear and creating discord, following statements by the US President mentioning he had intervened to prevent Khan from being invited to a grand state banquet on Wednesday. The Mirror has learned that the London Mayor neither sought nor anticipated an invitation to the event at Windsor Castle, despite Trump claiming Khan had expressed a desire to attend but was deliberately excluded.
Amid their ongoing feud, a source close to Khan rebuked the Republican leader for disparaging London, emphasizing the city’s global prominence and safety compared to major American urban centers. The source highlighted the growing number of Americans opting to relocate to London due to its open and vibrant nature. Trump, while returning to the US on Air Force One following his UK visit, continued his criticism of Khan, labeling him a failure in handling immigration issues.
Expressing his disdain, Trump referred to Khan as one of the worst mayors globally, attributing the soaring crime rates in London to his governance. Trump disclosed that he had specifically requested Khan not be present at the banquet, asserting that Khan had wanted to attend against his wishes.
The animosity between Trump and Khan dates back to Trump’s previous presidency, with Trump challenging Khan to an IQ test in response to Khan’s comments on Trump’s stance on Islam. During his 2019 state visit, Trump intensified his attacks on Khan, deeming him a “stone cold loser” who should concentrate on tackling crime in London.
In the lead-up to Trump’s UK visit, Khan criticized Trump and his associates for exacerbating far-right politics globally. In an article for the Guardian coinciding with Trump’s state visit, Khan emphasized the importance of unity against fear-mongering tactics used by divisive figures.
Overall, the clash between Trump and Khan showcases a long-standing discord rooted in contrasting political ideologies and approaches to governance.