During a tense press conference in Scotland, President Donald Trump reignited his feud with London Mayor Sadiq Khan, bluntly calling him “a nasty person” and saying he had “done a terrible job.” When asked about visiting London, Trump shrugged: “I’m not a fan of your mayor,” prompting Prime Minister Keir Starmer to step in awkwardly, replying, “He’s a friend of mine, actually,” which only intensified the tension as ITV News described in its coverage of the exchange.
Observers noted Starmer’s discomfort as Trump continued his verbal attack during a joint media appearance at the Turnberry golf resort. The prime minister attempted to redirect the conversation toward trade and international issues, but the clash over Khan dominated headlines according to a detailed report by UNILAD on the press conference. The moment underscored Trump’s unpredictable style, with one commentator saying Starmer looked “boxed in and unable to steer the narrative” as analyzed in a Yahoo News political recap.
“Trump calls Sadiq Khan ‘a nasty person’—Starmer replies: ‘He’s a friend of mine.’”
The confrontation followed a week of high-profile meetings in Scotland, where Trump also addressed trade policies and criticized the UK’s immigration stance. Media outlets noted that Starmer’s attempt to defend Khan while maintaining cordial relations with Trump created a delicate diplomatic balance as LBC highlighted in its political analysis. Political sketches portrayed Starmer as struggling to assert himself against Trump’s confrontational tone as The Times described in a sharp editorial.
Mayor Khan’s spokesperson responded with composure, pointing out London’s resilience and international appeal. They noted that the city remains a global hub for culture and business, despite Trump’s repeated criticisms as highlighted in a report by The Independent on the fallout. Khan himself has previously accused Trump of using divisive language, once calling him a “poster boy for racists,” a sentiment that still resonates among his supporters as noted by ITV’s recap of their long-running feud.
“He’s a friend of mine, actually.” – Starmer’s response to Trump’s attack on Khan.
Political commentators quickly dissected the exchange, suggesting it reflects a larger tension within UK–US diplomacy. A Guardian opinion piece argued that Britain risks appearing overly deferential when confronted with Trump’s aggressive tone, warning that such moments can erode the UK’s diplomatic confidence as explored in a Guardian editorial about the meeting. Social media reactions ranged from mocking memes to serious debates over Starmer’s handling of the situation as summarized by LADbible in its trending coverage.
One user wrote on X: “Watching Starmer defend Khan while Trump bulldozed the conversation was surreal. It felt like a diplomatic wrestling match where neither side really won.” Others applauded Starmer for defending his friend, even at the risk of aggravating Trump as seen in UNILAD’s social reaction roundup.
As Trump prepares for his formal UK state visit in September, the Turnberry incident serves as a preview of the challenges ahead. Analysts say Starmer must find a way to maintain a working relationship with Trump without appearing to capitulate to personal attacks—a balancing act that will define much of the UK’s diplomacy in the coming months.
