Reform UK leader Nigel Farage is attempting to distance himself from US President Donald Trump, following a failed meeting at Mar-a-Lago that has left him facing accusations of hypocrisy. Farage, who has spent the past decade publicly aligning himself with Trump, flew to Florida two weeks ago for a dinner that never happened, as Trump chose to stay at another resort.
Farage's aides have since briefed the Financial Times that the relationship between the two populist politicians has cooled since 2024. However, critics note that Farage was still praising Trump as recently as three weeks ago, and his sudden shift appears driven by opinion polls showing most Britons dislike the US president.
The controversy comes as other UK politicians, including Reform MP Robert Jenrick, have also reversed their earlier support for Trump's handling of the Iran crisis. Jenrick, who previously criticised Prime Minister Keir Starmer's approach, now says he dislikes seeing Starmer berated by foreign leaders.
Farage's attempt to rebrand his relationship with Trump has been met with widespread scepticism, with commentators pointing to his long history of hero-worshipping the US president. The Reform leader has yet to comment publicly on the failed meeting or the cooling of ties.
