What did Trump say at the UN?
Speaking at the United Nations General Assembly on Tuesday, U.S. President Donald Trump revived his long-standing feud with London Mayor Sadiq Khan. Without naming Khan directly, Trump criticized London’s leadership, suggesting the city was “moving towards Shariah law.”
“I look at London, where you have a terrible mayor, a terrible, terrible mayor. It’s been so changed, so changed. Now they want to go to Shariah law, but you’re in a different country; you can’t do that,” Trump said.
The remarks echoed conspiracy theories about Khan’s Muslim faith, which have long circulated in far-right circles both in the U.S. and the UK.
London mayor’s office responds
Khan’s office condemned the comments, describing them as “appalling and bigoted.” A spokesperson said:
“London is the greatest city in the world, safer than major U.S. cities, and we’re delighted to welcome the record number of U.S. citizens moving here.”
The mayor’s team made it clear they would not “dignify” Trump’s claims further.
British leaders defend Sadiq Khan
Khan, who became London’s first Muslim mayor in 2016, has built a reputation as a strong advocate for multiculturalism, diversity, and equality. He has since won three consecutive elections, giving him the largest personal mandate of any UK politician.
After Trump’s remarks, several British leaders quickly came to Khan’s defense.
- Health Secretary Wes Streeting highlighted Khan’s active role in championing diversity: “He has marched in Pride parades, defended inclusivity, and stood up for London’s differences. Proud he’s our Mayor,” he wrote on X.
- Other UK officials stressed that Trump’s claims misrepresent London, pointing out that crime rates remain lower than in many major U.S. cities.
A feud nearly a decade old
The Trump-Khan rivalry dates back to 2015, when Khan strongly criticized Trump’s proposed Muslim travel ban, calling it “outrageous and dangerous.” Since then, their exchanges have often played out publicly:
- 2018: Ahead of Trump’s state visit to the UK, Khan accused him of “fanning the flames of far-right politics.”
- 2019: Trump reportedly asked that Khan be excluded from the state dinner hosted by King Charles III, later telling reporters: “I’ve not liked him for a long time.”
- 2020–2024: Trump frequently referenced London’s crime rates in interviews, often linking them to Khan’s leadership.
The latest comments show that the feud continues into Trump’s second presidency.
Why does it matter?
Trump’s remarks come at a sensitive moment in U.S.-UK relations, where issues of immigration, cultural diversity, and urban safety are often politicized. By framing London as moving toward “Shariah law,” Trump plays into a broader narrative of cultural conflict that resonates with parts of his political base but risks straining ties with international allies.
For Khan, the controversy reinforces his role as a high-profile Muslim leader standing against divisive rhetoric. For Londoners, it is another reminder of how their city is often used as a symbolic battleground in global debates over migration, identity, and governance.
TL;DR
Donald Trump reignited his feud with London Mayor Sadiq Khan during his UN speech, claiming London was “moving towards Shariah law.” Khan’s office condemned the remarks as “bigoted,” while UK leaders, including Health Secretary Wes Streeting, defended Khan’s record on diversity and inclusion. The feud between Trump and Khan dates back to 2015 and remains a recurring flashpoint in transatlantic politics.