In a fiery interview that has reignited a long-standing political feud, former US President Donald Trump launched a scathing attack on London Mayor Sadiq Khan, labelling him a 'disaster' and a 'terrible, terrible mayor.'
The Explosive Allegations
Speaking to host Bev Turner on GB News, Trump did not hold back in his criticism. He claimed that under the Labour mayor's leadership, London had become so dangerous that 'people are being stabbed in the ass.' He nostalgically recalled that his mother had once loved the city, but argued that things had drastically changed for the worse under Khan's administration.
Trump further alleged that there are now areas in the British capital where even the police are afraid to go. These stark claims were made without the interviewer challenging him on America's own record with gun violence. This verbal assault is the latest chapter in an ongoing feud between the two prominent figures.
Who is Sadiq Khan?
Sadiq Aman Khan is a British politician of Pakistani heritage who has made history multiple times. He became the first Muslim mayor of a major Western capital city when he was elected in May 2016. A member of the Labour Party, he was re-elected in 2021 and secured a historic third consecutive term in May 2024, defeating Conservative candidate Susan Hall with 43.8% of the first-round vote.
Born in Tooting, south London, to a working-class Pakistani immigrant family, Khan is the fifth of eight children. His father drove a bus and his mother worked as a seamstress. He studied law at the University of North London and built a career as a human-rights solicitor, specialising in police misconduct cases. From 1994 to 2006, he ran his own legal practice and chaired the human-rights organisation Liberty.
A History of Clashes and Political Context
The animosity between Trump and Khan is not new. It dates back to Trump's 2015 campaign promise to ban Muslims from entering the US. Khan has consistently accused Trump of being 'racist, sexist, misogynistic, and Islamophobic.' In return, Trump has frequently targeted Khan, previously calling him the 'worst' mayor in the world and, as recently as July, a 'nasty person' who had done a 'terrible job.'
Back in London, Khan's tenure has faced its share of domestic criticism. His handling of crime, particularly knife crime, has been a focal point for the Conservative opposition, who accuse him of allowing crime to rise since 2016. The city-wide expansion of the Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) in 2023 also faced strong opposition and legal challenges.
On the other hand, Mayor Khan has also championed several key initiatives. His achievements include a focus on affordable housing with a promise of 40,000 council homes by 2030, freezing Transport for London fares between 2016 and 2024, and introducing popular measures like the Hopper bus fare and Night Tube extensions.
