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- By Shivangi Sharma
- Wed, 24 Sep 2025 06:15 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
US President Donald Trump reignited his long-standing feud with London Mayor Sadiq Khan during his address to the United Nations General Assembly on Tuesday, alleging that the British capital was moving toward Islamic 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.
Although he did not name Khan directly, his comments echoed conspiracy theories targeting the mayor’s Muslim faith that have circulated among far-right circles.
London Mayor Responds
Khan’s office quickly condemned Trump’s remarks, calling them “appalling and bigoted” and stating they would not dignify the comments with a formal response. The statement emphasised London’s status as “the greatest city in the world, safer than major US cities,” and highlighted the record number of US citizens choosing to move there.
Khan himself, speaking to BBC London, criticised Trump’s behavior. “People are wondering what it is about this Muslim mayor who leads a liberal, multicultural, progressive, successful city that means I appear to be living rent-free inside Donald Trump’s head,” he said. The mayor added, “I think President Trump has shown he is racist, sexist, misogynistic, and Islamophobic.”
British Leaders Defend Khan
Support for Khan extended beyond his office. Britain’s Health Secretary Wes Streeting rejected Trump’s claims, noting that Khan has actively participated in London’s Pride parades and consistently defended diversity. “He stands up for differences of background and opinion. Proud he’s our Mayor,” Streeting tweeted.
The clash is part of a long-running dispute between the two leaders. Khan had strongly criticised Trump’s 2015 call to ban Muslims from entering the US, calling it “outrageous.” Over the years, Trump has repeatedly disparaged Khan in speeches and interviews. During Trump’s recent state visit to the UK, Khan accused him of “fanning the flames of divisive, far-right politics around the world.” Trump later claimed he requested Khan be excluded from the state dinner hosted by King Charles III, saying, “I’ve not liked him for a long time.”
Khan’s Perspective On London’s Success
Despite Trump’s criticism, Khan highlighted London’s achievements under his leadership. “We have record numbers of Americans coming to London,” he said. “We are often the number one city in the world for culture, foreign investment, sports, and the ability for people to fulfill their potential.”