London Mayor Sadiq Khan has launched a fresh verbal assault on former US President Donald Trump, suggesting his repeated criticisms of the capital are driven by envy of its status as a world-leading metropolis.
A Feud Reignited: Jealousy Allegations Fly
In an interview with the Financial Times, the Labour Mayor, who has held office since 2016, argued that Mr Trump routinely targets London because America lacks a city that can truly compete. Sir Sadiq claimed the former President is "jealous he hasn't got any global cities in America that can compete with London." While praising New York as "probably the second greatest city in the world," Khan provocatively offered to compare its subway system with London's Elizabeth Line.
Defending London's Record and Safety
The Mayor robustly defended the capital's safety record, directly countering claims made by Trump and his allies. He stated that London has "far fewer homicides... than in any state in the US," and specifically fewer than major American cities like New York, Los Angeles, and Chicago. This rebuttal comes after Mr Trump previously asserted that parts of London had become "no-go zones" for police, and Vice-President J. D. Vance's 2024 comment that London was becoming an "Islamist country."
Khan suggested these attacks form part of a bitter culture war, with London used as a proxy, leading to an increase in racism in the city. He expressed understanding of Trump's motives but saved sharper criticism for British MPs who echo such sentiments, branding them "unpatriotic." "I can see that they are worried about London's success," he said, attributing that success to the city being "diverse, progressive, liberal and multicultural."
Broader Political Warnings and Tax Policy
The interview also saw Mayor Khan issue a warning to Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer regarding tax policy. He cautioned against driving away wealthy residents, stating, "The idea that all non-doms are bogeymen is not my experience." This marks a notable intervention in the national political debate on taxation and wealth.
This exchange is the latest in a long-running and deeply personal feud between the two figures. Earlier this month, Donald Trump labelled Sir Sadiq a "horrible, vicious, disgusting mayor" who had done a "terrible job," claiming "London's a different place." In response, Khan questioned whether the former President was "obsessed" with him. The war of words continues to highlight the stark political and cultural divisions between the London Mayor and the former US leader.
