Sadiq Khan and Donald Trump: A Surprising Agreement?

A Surprising Silence in the Face of Criticism

President Trump’s remarks about Sadiq Khan, the mayor of London, have sparked a notable lack of response from the political and media landscape. While it may not come as a surprise that a U.S. president would criticize a foreign leader, the absence of any significant pushback is more telling. Typically, such statements would ignite a wave of public debate, with opinion pieces, editorials, and commentary flooding the media. However, this time, the reaction has been unusually quiet.

In normal circumstances, if the leader of the free world were to label the mayor of the UK’s largest city as “a nasty person,” “a stupid guy,” or “a lousy mayor,” there would be a flurry of responses. Voices would rise in protest, and media outlets would publish extensive analyses. Left-leaning figures would likely denounce Trump’s comments and praise their own political ally in City Hall. Yet, after Trump expressed his disapproval of Sir Sadiq Khan, the reaction was notably muted.

There were no prominent columns in The New Statesman, no editorials in The Guardian, and even the left-wing platform Labour List remained silent. In fact, the controversy surrounding Khan’s opposition to the expansion of Heathrow Airport generated more attention than the mayor's conflict with the former U.S. president. Even Keir Starmer, who was seated next to Trump during the criticism, offered only a weak defense: “He’s a friend of mine, actually.” This statement, given Starmer’s past actions—such as declaring himself a friend of Jeremy Corbyn before expelling him from the party—lacks credibility and offers little comfort to Khan.

A Shift in Public Perception

Once a media favorite, Sadiq Khan had enjoyed considerable support in the early years of his career. Within six months of entering Parliament, The Spectator named him Newcomer of the Year in their annual ‘Parliamentarian of the Year’ awards. In 2016 and 2017, he was recognized as GQ’s ‘Politician of the Year.’ Matthew d’Ancona even predicted that Khan would become “Labour’s next PM.” But where are all the supporters now? Why hasn’t anyone stepped forward to defend Khan against Trump’s accusations?

The second accusation from Trump—that Khan has “done a terrible job”—has also gone largely unchallenged. It’s easy to understand why; the mayor’s record is riddled with issues. Recent data shows a staggering 86% increase in knife crime in London over the past decade, with a 58% rise just between 2021 and 2024. More recently, Khan has been forced to reboot his failed housing strategy, amid disappointing housing start figures and requests to lower his housing targets. His growth plan is in disarray, the nighttime economy is declining, and he has struggled to gain Treasury support for essential transport projects. Additionally, he has faced challenges with fare evasion and tube graffiti.

A Question of Leadership

While many Londoners may not like Donald Trump or be certain about whether their mayor is a “nasty person” or “a thicko,” they would likely agree that Sadiq Khan is not performing well in his role. The silence from the political and media spheres is striking, especially given his past influence and popularity.

As Trump prepares to return to London in September, more political tension is expected. However, it remains uncertain whether anyone will be willing to speak up in Khan’s defense. The question is not just about defending the mayor but also about what this silence says about the current state of political discourse and loyalty in the face of criticism.