London Mayor Sir Sadiq Khan has reignited his long-standing feud with Donald Trump, directly labelling the former US President a 'bully' and urging others not to let such figures win.
A Decade of Discord
The bitter spat between the Labour mayor and Mr Trump has lasted for the best part of a decade, dating back to when Sir Sadiq first took charge of London in 2016. The conflict escalated last month when Trump branded Khan a 'horrible, vicious, disgusting mayor' and claimed London was now 'a different place'.
In response, Sir Sadiq suggested that Trump's frequent attacks on Europe and London were effectively 'grooming' and 'radicalising' extremists within Britain. He pointed to a direct correlation between such language and the radicalisation process, noting a 'massive increase in anti-Muslim hatred' in the UK.
Advice for a Fellow Mayor
The latest chapter unfolded during an appearance on Sky News. Sir Sadiq was asked if he had any advice for New York's new mayor, Zohran Mamdani, a self-described socialist who assumed office at the start of this year, on handling criticism from Trump.
'He doesn't need advice from me, he's going to be a great mayor,' Khan stated, revealing that the two 'message regularly'. He added, 'It brings a smile to my face talking about Zohran. He's going to do a great job, I think, in the second greatest city in the world in trying to make the progress we've made in London.'
However, the London mayor then issued a broader warning: 'What I would say to anybody is, whether you're nine years old, whether you're 14 years old, or whether you're older - don't let bullies win.'
Focus on London and Future Plans
In a separate interview with Times Radio on Monday, Sir Sadiq refused to be drawn on speculation about his political future. When questioned on whether he would seek an unprecedented fourth term as London mayor, he declined to commit.
'The last election I fought is nearer than the next one I may fight, ask me again in a year's time,' he said. 'At this stage in the cycle, I never decide. I think it's an indulgence to focus on my personal ambition rather than this city. I'm focused on this city.'
This latest exchange underscores a persistent and deeply personal conflict that has played out across the Atlantic for years. Sir Sadiq has previously accused Trump of using language that 'normalises and brings to the mainstream views that I think are unacceptable', and has questioned why the former President appears 'obsessed' with him.
