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JOHN DOE     SEPT 15, 2017

Trump’s State Visit to the UK and Criticism of Sadiq Khan

September 16-18, 2025: Diplomatic Highlights and Personal Feud

Introduction

On September 16-18, 2025, US President Donald Trump concluded his unprecedented second state visit to the United Kingdom, hosted by King Charles III and Prime Minister Keir Starmer. The visit featured ceremonial events at Windsor Castle, including a state banquet, guard inspections, and bilateral meetings focused on trade, Ukraine support, and sanctions against Russia. However, the trip was overshadowed by mutual public criticisms between Trump and London Mayor Sadiq Khan, reigniting a long-standing feud that dates back to Trump's first UK visit in 2019.[1][2]

Key Highlights of the Visit

  • Arrival and Ceremonies: Trump and First Lady Melania arrived at Stansted Airport on September 16, greeted by a lord-in-waiting on behalf of the King. They proceeded to Windsor Castle for a ceremonial welcome with gun salutes, a massive guard of honour, and a state banquet. The Trumps stayed at Winfield House, the US ambassador's residence in London.[3]
  • Protests: Anti-Trump demonstrations occurred throughout the visit, including a rally by the Stop Trump Coalition outside Windsor Castle on September 16 and another in central London on September 17. Protesters criticized Trump's policies on immigration, military deployments in US cities, and rhetoric seen as encouraging far-right extremism.[4]
  • Diplomatic Agenda: Discussions emphasized strengthening the US-UK "special relationship," including potential tariff reductions on British steel and aluminum (though a planned announcement fell through). Trump urged more UK support for Ukraine, while Starmer pushed for sanctions on Russian oil buyers.[1][5]

Trump's Negativity Toward Mayor Sadiq Khan

The visit's most notable controversy involved Trump's sharp attacks on Khan, whom he has repeatedly targeted over London's crime rates, immigration policies, and overall governance. This tension escalated just before and during the trip.

Pre-Visit Criticism from Khan

On September 16, Khan published an op-ed in *The Guardian* accusing Trump of doing "more than anyone else" to "fan the flames of divisive, far-right politics around the world." Khan condemned Trump's military use in diverse US cities, deportations without due process, and tactics like xenophobia and praising white nationalists (referencing Charlottesville). He called these actions "straight out of the autocrat’s playbook" and urged UK leaders to be a "critical friend" by rejecting "politics of fear and division." Khan also defended London as a "global success story" – open, dynamic, and safer than every US state in homicide rates – countering Trump's prior claims of the city being overrun by "stabbings, dirt, and filth."[6]

Trump's Response During the Visit

Earlier in 2025, during a July press conference in Scotland, Trump called Khan "a nasty person" who has "done a terrible job" as mayor. This echoed his 2019 tweet labeling Khan a "stone cold loser" focused on attacking Trump rather than crime.[1]

Post-Visit Escalation

On September 18, while aboard Air Force One returning to the US, Trump intensified his attacks, describing Khan as "among the worst mayors in the world" and a "disaster" on immigration, with crime in London "through the roof." Trump revealed he had explicitly requested that Khan not be invited to the state banquet, stating, "I didn’t want him there" due to Khan's "bad job" and the city's issues. A source close to Khan responded that the mayor "didn't seek or expect" an invitation and reiterated that Trump's "politics is one of fear and division," while highlighting London's appeal to Americans (with record numbers relocating there).[7][8]

Broader Context of the Feud

Trump and Khan's clashes stem from ideological differences: Khan, a Labour Party member and vocal Trump critic, has opposed policies like the US travel ban on Muslim-majority countries. Trump has used Khan as a foil to criticize urban Democratic (or Labour) governance, similar to his attacks on US mayors. UK Prime Minister Starmer, a friend of Khan's, briefly defended him in July, saying, "He's a friend of mine, actually."[1] Despite the drama, the visit was deemed a diplomatic success by officials, with no major disruptions.[5]

Conclusion

The September 2025 UK state visit highlighted the enduring US-UK special relationship through ceremonial pomp and diplomatic discussions on trade and Ukraine, but it was marred by the personal feud between Trump and Khan. Khan's op-ed and Trump's post-visit barbs underscored transatlantic tensions over populism, immigration, and urban policy, amplified by their ideological divide. While protests added to the backdrop, the visit advanced bilateral goals without major incidents. This episode reflects broader global debates on leadership and division, with Khan positioning London as a counter to Trump's style.[2][8]

Sources