Sadiq Khan: Trump "Not a Force for Good"

London Mayor Sadiq Khan & President Donald Trump "Not a Force for Good"

In an honest and open exchange that has grabbed global attention, London Mayor Sadiq Khan has once again expressed his deep concerns about U.S. President Donald Trump, calling him "not a force for good" in the world. Despite a history of sharp exchanges between the two leaders, Khan stays open to a face-to-face meeting, highlighting the importance of dialogue in bridging divides.

The tension increased during Trump's recent visit to Scotland, where he called Khan a "nasty person" and criticized his leadership in London as a "terrible job." Khan, brushing off the remarks with his usual resilience, compared the verbal insults to playground taunts from his childhood. "It's like being nine years old again," he joked during an appearance at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe on the Political Party show with comedian Matt Forde.

Delving deeper, Khan didn't hold back about Trump's worldview. "Somebody who has views like he does about Black people, women, gays, Muslims, Mexicans thinks I'm nasty? Really? He's the leader of the free world," Khan remarked, highlighting what he sees as hypocrisy at the highest level. He pointed to a notable increase in Americans seeking British citizenship and settling in London since Trump's second term began in January 2025, adding with a touch of humor, "So I think Americans have got good taste by and large."

Looking ahead, Khan expressed optimism about Trump's upcoming state visit to the UK next month, hoping the president would experience London's vibrant diversity firsthand. "Our diversity is a strength, not a weakness; it makes us stronger, not weaker; richer, not poorer," he asserted. Yet, he warned of the dangers in Trump's rhetoric, which he believes inadvertently pushes fringe views into the mainstream, potentially radicalizing individuals and leading to harmful actions.

Khan's concerns include how minorities are treated, as he says they could face discrimination fueled by presidential statements. He accused Trump of using London and its multiculturalism as a "political football" in larger culture wars. On a personal level, while the attacks slide off him like "water off a duck's back," Khan emphasized the larger societal stakes: "We can't ignore the serious challenges facing Western societies, and in my view, President Trump isn't a force for good."

Striking a conciliatory tone, the Labour politician reiterated his eagerness to meet Trump, aiming to dispel misconceptions about Muslims and minorities. "I'd want to show him it's possible to be a proud Westerner and a proud Muslim, to be British of Pakistani origin and a law-abiding citizen, we're not three-headed monsters," Khan said. He suspects Trump's views on Muslims stem from the actions of a tiny minority of extremists who pervert Islam, and he's keen to highlight that this doesn't represent the vast majority.

This episode highlights the ongoing tension between progressive urban leadership and Trump's divisive style, but Khan's willingness to engage offers hope for meaningful dialogue amid the chaos. As the world observes, it prompts timely questions about leadership, diversity, and the ripple effects of political rhetoric in an interconnected world age.