During his contentious visit to the UK, President Donald Trump asserted that he personally prevented London’s Mayor, Sadiq Khan, from attending the state banquet at Windsor Castle.
Addressing the press aboard Air Force One, Trump expressed his disapproval of Khan’s leadership, stating he “didn’t want [Khan] there.”
He elaborated, “In my opinion, the Mayor of London, Khan, ranks among the worst mayors globally, and we have some poor ones. His tenure has been disastrous. Crime rates in London have skyrocketed. I requested that he not be invited to the banquet. From what I understand, he wished to attend, but I opposed it. I’ve disliked him for quite some time.”
In response, Sir Sadiq highlighted the growing number of Americans relocating to London, implying that the city’s vibrancy contradicts Trump’s negative remarks. A spokesperson close to Khan commented, “Trump’s approach is rooted in fear and division, which includes disparaging our remarkable capital. London stands as a thriving global metropolis-open, energetic, and safer than many major US cities. Perhaps this is why an unprecedented number of Americans are choosing to settle here.”
According to Metro, Khan never intended to attend the Windsor Castle banquet, and City Hall neither anticipated nor requested an invitation. Although Khan holds the title of Privy Counsellor and has served as a government minister, the mayoral role does not typically warrant an invitation to state banquets. Nevertheless, he did participate in a formal white-tie dinner at Mansion House in December 2024 during the Emir of Qatar’s state visit.
The tension between Trump and Khan has deep roots. Back in 2015, Khan condemned Trump’s proposal to ban Muslims from entering the United States. Trump retaliated by criticizing Khan’s reaction to the 2017 London Bridge terror attack, tweeting, “At least 7 dead and 48 wounded in terror attack, and Mayor of London says there is ‘no reason to be alarmed!'” In 2018, Khan allowed the now-iconic Trump baby blimp to fly over London amid protests against the US president’s visit, stating, “As a politician, I shouldn’t dictate what is tasteful or distasteful. What matters is that protests remain peaceful and safe. Restricting free speech or protest rights simply because they might offend a foreign leader sets a dangerous precedent.”
Trump’s latest remarks came shortly after Marine One, carrying him and First Lady Melania, encountered a hydraulic malfunction before landing at Stansted Airport. Boarding Air Force One, he quipped, “Fly safely. You know why I say that? Because I’m on the flight. Otherwise, I wouldn’t care.”
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