London Mayor Sadiq Khan has launched a robust defence against what he describes as a sustained campaign of "hatred and bile" from former US President Donald Trump, branding him a "bully" and vowing to stand up to his rhetoric.
Khan's playground lesson for the White House
In a candid interview with Politico, Sir Sadiq drew on a childhood lesson to frame his approach to the former President's repeated verbal assaults. He revealed he learned at the age of nine that "the best way to deal with a bully, whether it’s in the playground or in the White House, is to stand up to them." He emphasised that cowering does not earn respect from a bully.
The Labour mayor's comments come just weeks after Mr Trump reignited their long-running feud. In late 2025, the former President called Sir Sadiq a "horrible, vicious, disgusting mayor" who had done a "terrible job". Trump also suggested the mayor's electoral success was solely due to immigration, claiming Khan was elected "because so many people have come in [to the UK]. They vote for him now."
A feud of 'animus' and 'pathetic name-calling'
Sir Sadiq accused Mr Trump of hurling "bile" not just at him personally, but at the United Kingdom as a whole. He described the former President's remarks as "sweeping generalisations about the country in terms of immigration policy and how elections are fought and won."
The mayor stated he believes Mr Trump is "obsessed" with him, but often chooses not to respond to the "pathetic name-calling" because he is "too busy to get involved in tittle-tattle." However, he made an exception when he felt the attacks targeted his city, its citizens, and their values. "When somebody makes certain generalisations about the followers of one faith — I think it’s incumbent to stand up to them," Sir Sadiq asserted.
The New York mayor's 'tactical diplomacy' with Trump
Sir Sadiq also addressed the surprising rapport that appeared to develop between Donald Trump and Zohran Mamdani, the newly elected mayor of New York. During the 2025 mayoral race, Mr Trump had branded Mr Mamdani a "communist," while Mr Mamdani suggested the former President was a fascist.
Despite this, their first meeting in the Oval Office was notably warm. Sir Sadiq joked that he had assumed Mr Trump would "two-time" him and shift his focus to targeting the New York mayor instead. He suggested the cordial meeting was likely a form of "tactical diplomacy" rather than a genuine meeting of minds.
Looking ahead to the May 2026 local elections, where Labour is forecast to face significant losses in Wales, Scotland, and English councils, Sir Sadiq suggested his party could learn from his electoral success in London. "I’m quite happy to lead, and they follow," he said. However, he firmly dismissed any speculation about ambitions for the party leadership or premiership, stating: "No, no, no, no. I’ve no intentions, no plans, nor would I want to be the leader of the Labour Party or indeed the prime minister."
