London Mayor Fires Back at Trump

UPDATE Sep 25, 2025 11:50 AM CDT

London Mayor Sadiq Khan has fired back at President Trump, who called him a "terrible mayor" during his speech to the UN General Assembly. Trump also claimed Khan wanted to bring in sharia law. "People are wondering what it is about this Muslim mayor who leads a liberal, multi-cultural, progressive and successful city, that means I appear to be living rent-free inside Donald Trump's head," Khan told the BBC. "I think President Trump has shown he is racist, he is sexist, he is misogynistic, and he is Islamophobic." He added that he is "thankful we have record numbers of Americans coming to London."

• In response to his remarks, White House spokesman Davis Ingle told CNN that Khan's "ridiculous open border and unchecked immigration policies" were responsible for violent crime and said he has a "severe case of Trump Derangement Syndrome." (UK immigration policies are set at the national level.)

Sep 23, 2025 12:55 PM CDT

In his speech to the UN General Assembly on Tuesday, President Trump had plenty of criticism to dole out. But one of his more personal attacks came at the expense of London Mayor Sadiq Khan. As quoted by the BBC:

• "I look at London, where you have a terrible mayor, terrible, terrible mayor, and it's been changed, it's been so changed," said Trump. "Now they want to go to sharia law. But you are in a different country, you can't do that."

Khan, a Muslim, chose not to respond directly, with his office dismissing Trump's comments as "appalling and bigoted," per Sky News. "London is the greatest city in the world, safer than major US cities, and we're delighted to welcome the record number of US citizens moving here," said a spokesperson. Trump's comments came in the context of immigration, with the president suggesting that London was letting in too many asylum seekers.

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The slam continues a pattern dating back to 2015, when Khan, then a Labour politician, criticized Trump's suggestion to ban Muslims from entering the US. Trump has since repeatedly targeted Khan, most recently calling him "among the worst mayors in the world" during a state visit to Britain last week. Trump also claimed that he made sure Khan was not invited to a state banquet at Windsor Castle. Khan, for his part, said he was unconcerned by Trump's views and did not seek an invitation to the banquet. Past exchanges have seen Trump label Khan "a stone-cold loser," while the mayor has accused Trump of fueling far-right sentiments.