Donald Trump has claimed that King Charles “probably would have helped us” with Iran, launching another attack on Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and Nato. Speaking during the monarch's state visit to New York, the US president praised the King as a “phenomenal representative for his country” and suggested he would have differed from Starmer on the conflict.
“The King loves his country, and he's a great king, and he's a great friend of mine. And I think if that it were up to him, he would have probably helped us with Iran,” Trump said. He also expressed disappointment that Nato had not done enough on Ukraine and Iran, claiming the King “would have followed the suggestions we made with respect to Ukraine”.
The president's remarks were another veiled dig at Starmer, whom he has previously dismissed as “not Winston Churchill”. Trump also breached protocol by asserting he knew the King's views, having earlier claimed Charles agreed Iran should not have a nuclear weapon.
Trump has repeatedly condemned Nato for relying too heavily on US funding and pressured allies to increase defence spending. He has threatened to pull America out of the alliance and demanded members stop buying Russian oil. His flattery of the British royal family contrasts with his attacks on other allies.
