Former US President Donald Trump has launched a blistering verbal assault on London Mayor Sadiq Khan while making the factually incorrect claim that the United Kingdom operates legally binding Sharia courts. During an Oval Office event alongside German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, Trump delivered a wide-ranging critique of British foreign policy, energy decisions, and immigration while targeting prominent UK political figures.
Scathing Criticism of British Leadership
Trump directed particular ire toward Labour leader Keir Starmer, accusing him of being "no Winston Churchill" due to his reluctance to permit the United States to launch military attacks on Iran from British territory. The former president complained that Britain had been "very, very uncooperative" in negotiations regarding US access to military bases in England and on Diego Garcia, claiming it took three to four days to reach an agreement.
False Claims About Sharia Courts
Turning his attention to London's Labour Mayor, Trump declared: "You have a terrible mayor of London. A terrible mayor. An incompetent guy. And you have Sharia Courts." This statement is factually incorrect. The United Kingdom does not have legally binding Sharia courts. Some Muslim communities operate voluntary Sharia councils, similar to ecclesiastical courts in the Church of England, canon law tribunals in the Catholic Church, and arbitration bodies within Jewish, Hindu, and Sikh communities. These religious bodies have no legal authority under British law and cannot override UK courts.
Threats Against Spain and Concerns About Iran
Trump also threatened to sever all trade relations with Spain over their refusal to allow US attacks from joint airbases in southern Spain. Regarding the potential outcomes of conflict with Iran, Trump expressed concern about the "worst case scenario" where "somebody takes over who's as bad as the previous person." He warned: "We do this and then in five years, you realise you put somebody in who was no better."
Criticism of UK Policies
The former president launched into an extended critique of British energy and immigration policies, stating: "The UK, I love that country, my mother was born there... I love it. There are places that you automatically feel warmly about. But the UK, what they're doing with energy and what they're doing with immigration is horrible." Trump has consistently opposed wind energy development in the UK, particularly since a wind farm was constructed near one of his Scottish golf courses, which he considers visually unappealing.
Response from Mayor's Office
A spokesperson for Sadiq Khan responded to Trump's criticism with a pointed remark: "The Mayor is clearly still living rent free in Donald Trump's head. He's obsessed with him. Sadiq could probably claim squatters' rights." This retort highlights the ongoing tension between the London Mayor and the former US president, who has frequently targeted Khan in previous public statements.
Historical Context and Ongoing Tensions
Trump also referenced the UK's agreement to return the Chagos Islands to Mauritius in exchange for a 100-year lease, questioning the decision by asking: "What's that all about? They ruin relationships, it's a shame, it's a shame." This commentary reflects Trump's broader pattern of criticizing international agreements and diplomatic relationships established by previous administrations.
The former president's remarks come amid ongoing tensions regarding international responses to Iran and highlight his continued willingness to publicly criticize allied nations and their leaders. His false claims about Sharia courts operating in Britain represent a significant factual error that has been repeatedly debunked by legal experts and religious scholars familiar with the UK's judicial system.
