Donald Trump has renewed his criticism of London Mayor Sadiq Khan, describing him as a “bad person” and a “horrible representative” for Britain.
The two have been engaged in a long-running public feud since 2015, when Trump, then a presidential candidate, called for a “total and complete shutdown” of Muslims entering the US. Khan responded at the time by accusing Trump of holding “ignorant” views about Islam.
Since then, Trump has repeatedly targeted the mayor, claiming he has lost control of policing in London and previously branding him a “national disgrace”.
Speaking to reporters at the White House today, Trump again attacked Khan, saying: “You have a terrible Mayor of London, by the way. I don't want to cause any problems but your Mayor of London is grossly incompetent, a bad person and a horrible representative for your country.”
The US president also described Khan as a “horror show” and repeated his claims that Britain has a “crime and immigration problem”.
Trump was meeting with NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte when the comments were made.
It comes just days after Khan blamed Trump for the rising number of death threats he receives as the Mayor of London.
Following Trump’s election, Khan said death threats against him soared by 2,000 per cent.
Responding to the comments, the mayor said: "I'm not sure why I'm living rent-free inside President Trump's head. I'm not quite clear why this man appears to have a crush on me."
Speaking to Italian newspaper La Repubblica earlier this week, Khan said “I am still under police protection. That shouldn't be the price of being mayor.”
When asked why Trump had such a problem with him, Khan added: “Because we are a progressive, liberal, diverse, multicultural and highly successful city. London is the antithesis of those who believe in a single ethnicity, a single religion, a single culture.
“That's why Trump and MAGA attack us. But China and Russia also spread disinformation, helped by the complacency of big tech.
“Yet we Londoners are proud to live in a city that is increasingly cleaner, more welcoming, prosperous and safe.”
Trump also gave his first reaction to MP Andy Burnham earlier today, describing him as an “extremely liberal” politician, who "probably won't open up" the North Sea for oil and gas drilling.
Responding to Trump’s comments today, a spokesperson for Khan said: “People wonder what it is about a mayor who leads a liberal, multicultural, progressive, successful city that means he appears to be living rent free inside President Trump's head.”
