London Mayor, Sadiq Khan, humorously suggested that US President Donald Trump may have a peculiar fondness for him as their longstanding feud resurfaced. The two politicians have been engaging in verbal sparring since 2015, with tensions escalating last year when Trump accused Khan of supporting Sharia law at the UN General Assembly. In response, Khan criticized Trump, calling him racist, sexist, misogynistic, and Islamophobic.
The feud reignited recently when Trump, during a press briefing in the Oval Office, labeled Khan as a “bad person” and a “horrible representative” for the UK. Khan, unfazed by Trump’s remarks, refused to dignify them with a response at the launch of his Heat Ready Plan in London.
In a lighthearted tone, Khan remarked, “I’m not sure why I’m living rent-free inside President Trump’s head. I’m not quite clear why this man appears to have a crush on me. You know, all I would say is it could be because I’m the mayor of a progressive, multicultural, liberal, successful city.” He also attributed Trump’s displeasure to London winning the prestigious Lee Kuan Yew Prize for being the world’s best city.
The history of animosity between Khan and Trump dates back a decade, starting with Khan’s condemnation of Trump’s proposal to ban Muslims from entering the US. Following Trump’s election in 2016, Khan criticized his views on Islam as ignorant, leading to a challenge from Trump for an IQ test. The tension peaked after the 2017 London Bridge attack when Trump misinterpreted Khan’s statement about police presence, causing further controversy.
Regarding his political future, Khan dismissed any speculation of returning to Westminster, emphasizing his satisfaction with his current role. He also expressed respect for Andy Burnham, a fellow mayor turned MP, and hinted at a friendly collaboration in the future.
Khan also expressed regret over Sir Keir Starmer’s decision to resign as Prime Minister, praising his efforts in revitalizing the party post the 2019 general election defeat.
