Former US President Donald Trump launched a scathing attack on the United Kingdom's military capabilities during a lengthy, televised cabinet meeting at the White House, branding British aircraft carriers as "toys" and criticizing Prime Minister Keir Starmer's apparent reluctance to be drawn into a potential conflict with Iran.
Trump's Rambling Remarks on Diego Garcia and NATO
Sitting between his self-styled "Secretary of War" Pete Hegseth and Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Trump delivered rambling remarks that spanned multiple geopolitical issues. He specifically referenced the Chagos Islands and the apparent targeting of Diego Garcia by Iran with two missiles, one of which failed while the other was intercepted by US forces.
"One missile went 2,500 miles, they supposedly didn't have a missile like that," Trump claimed during the meeting. "They had no missile with that capability. But they shot the now-famous... island that the UK was very afraid to give us. Because they didn't want to get dragged in. Well, we didn't want to get dragged in either."
Scathing Criticism of NATO Allies
The former president then turned his ire toward NATO allies, accusing them of doing "absolutely nothing" to assist the United States in Middle Eastern conflicts. "Now they all want to help," Trump continued. "When they're annihilated, the other side is annihilated, they said 'we'd love to send ships'. Actually made a statement, a couple of them, that 'we want to get involved when the war is over'. No, it's supposed to get involved with the war's beginning, or even before it begins."
Trump's criticism became particularly pointed when discussing British military support. "We had the UK say that 'we'll send' - this is three weeks ago - 'we'll send our aircraft carriers', which aren't the best aircraft carriers by the way. They're toys compared to what we have. But 'we'll send our aircraft carrier when the war is over'. I said 'oh that's wonderful, thank you very much. Don't bother. We don't need it'."
Hegseth Warns of Iranian Threat to London
Pete Hegseth, Trump's controversial "Secretary of War," added to the bellicose rhetoric by suggesting Tehran could potentially target London with its missile capabilities. "Two days ago they shot two failed missiles at a target 4,000km away," Hegseth stated. "For years they only told the world their missiles could only range 2km, surprise - yet again, Iran lied. And to the world I say London is only 4,000km from Iran. You're telling us that Iran is not a threat to the world? President Trump knows better."
The televised meeting showcased Trump's characteristic combative style toward traditional allies and his willingness to publicly disparage the military capabilities of close partners. The remarks come amid ongoing tensions in the Middle East and highlight the former president's continued influence on foreign policy discussions despite no longer holding office.
