Fred Fleitz, a former National Security Council Chief of Staff under President Donald Trump, launched a blistering attack on Prime Minister Keir Starmer during a live GB News segment on Tuesday. Fleitz described Starmer as "arrogant" and "pretentious," casting doubt on any meaningful engagement between Trump and the UK leader at the upcoming NATO summit.
Fleitz: 'I forgot Starmer was still prime minister'
Asked how Trump might approach conversations with Starmer at the summit, Fleitz replied: "Well, to be honest, I forget Keir Starmer was still prime minister. I thought he had left. I don't think Trump's gonna have much to say to him. Trump knows he's on the way out. I think he was nice to him but Starmer was frankly an arrogant, pretentious prime minister."
Fleitz also declared that Starmer would not be "missed" in the US when he steps down from 10 Downing Street. "We also realise he'll be replaced by another Labour candidate so, I don't know that the UK's policies, domestic or foreign, will get any better until Labour is driven out. But, look, we'll try to work with them," he added.
Thoughts on Andy Burnham as successor
As GB News presenter Will Kingston steered the conversation towards Starmer's possible successor, Andy Burnham, Fleitz shared his thoughts on the Makerfield MP. "Look, even though we've had real differences with Starmer, I think Trump and [Marco] Rubio have tried to strike a cooperative relationship because we have a rock solid friendship and security relationship," he noted.
Fleitz suggested that Trump won't have much to say to Starmer after his resignation. "We've endured leaders in each country that the one side didn't like over time. That's going to continue. We're going to continue working together, and I hope that this new Prime Minister understands the importance of this relationship and is prepared to work with the Trump administration."
Further humiliation expected at NATO summit
In the next few days, Starmer is expected to face further humiliation at the NATO summit as Trump prepares to criticise the PM over his defence spending plans. These plans were published 10 months late and featured a £5 billion "black hole" for Burnham that would need to be found in the autumn budget.
