Sir Sadiq Khan Accuses Trump of Racism and Islamophobia Following UN Remarks

Published: 25 September 2025. The English Chronicle Desk

London Mayor Sir Sadiq Khan has publicly accused former US President Donald Trump of displaying racism, sexism, misogyny, and Islamophobia, following comments the former president made about him at the United Nations General Assembly in New York. Speaking to BBC London, Sir Sadiq described the remarks as indicative of deep-seated prejudice, questioning why he “appears to be living rent-free inside Donald Trump’s head.”

During his address to the UN, Trump criticized London’s mayor, referring to him as “a terrible, terrible mayor” and claiming that the city had “been so changed.” He further suggested that London was moving toward the implementation of Sharia law, comments that Sir Sadiq dismissed as inaccurate and inflammatory.

In response, Sir Sadiq highlighted London’s achievements as a liberal, multicultural, and globally influential city. He noted that record numbers of Americans continue to visit the capital and emphasized that the city consistently ranks highly in cultural assessments worldwide.

The White House has been approached for comment regarding Trump’s remarks. Meanwhile, UK Cabinet Minister Pat McFadden defended Sir Sadiq, noting the longstanding tension between the mayor and the former president. McFadden categorically rejected the suggestion that London intended to implement Sharia law, emphasizing that British law governs the country.

Justice Minister Sarah Sackman had earlier clarified in the House of Commons that Sharia law forms no part of the law of England and Wales. While religious tribunals, including Sharia councils, do operate in the UK, their functions are largely limited to marriage arbitration and financial matters within religious communities, and their rulings are not legally binding. Similar structures exist for Christian and Jewish communities, including the Church of England’s ecclesiastical courts and Jewish Beth Din tribunals, both of which operate on a voluntary basis for religious or civil matters.

Reform UK leader Nigel Farage commented on the exchange, suggesting that while Trump’s comments should not be taken literally, they should be regarded seriously as part of his broader narrative about perceived threats to Western culture, heritage, and identity. Farage emphasized that there is no direct connection between London’s mayor and any formal implementation of Sharia law in the city.

The confrontation between Sir Sadiq and Donald Trump has a long history. In 2019, Trump referred to the mayor as a “stone cold loser,” and in subsequent years he has repeatedly criticized Sir Sadiq over his responses to security incidents, including the London Bridge attack in 2017. Trump has also challenged the mayor to an IQ test and, during a visit to Scotland in July, described him as “a nasty person” who had “done a terrible job.” On multiple occasions, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has intervened to defend Sir Sadiq in diplomatic settings, describing him as a friend.

Earlier this month, Trump stated that he “didn’t want” Sir Sadiq present at a state banquet hosted by the King at Windsor Castle. Sir Sadiq did not attend the event and reportedly neither sought nor expected an invitation. During this period, Trump described him as “among the worst mayors in the world,” reinforcing the ongoing public friction between the two political figures.

Sir Sadiq’s remarks to the BBC underscore not only the personal nature of the conflict but also broader concerns about the portrayal of Muslim leaders and multicultural cities on the international stage. By highlighting his record as a successful and progressive mayor, he sought to counter what he described as misleading narratives and to reaffirm London’s global standing in culture, governance, and civic inclusivity.

The dispute also illustrates the continuing tension between political rhetoric and public perception, with Sir Sadiq stressing that actions and statements by public figures, especially those with global influence, have real consequences for social cohesion, community relations, and international diplomacy.