The persistent tension between President Trump and London’s Mayor Sadiq Khan elevated earlier when Khan called Trump a “Poster boy for racists around the world.”
Khan’s comment was part of a response to President Trump’s Saturday tweet that stated, “LONDON needs a new mayor ASAP. Khan is a disaster – will only get worse!” Trump was quoting a tweet from Katie Hopkins which cited the recent wave of knife crimes in Britain’s capital city. Her tweet also referred to London as “Stab-City” and “Khan’s Londonistan.”
LONDON needs a new mayor ASAP. Khan is a disaster – will only get worse! https://t.co/n7qKI3BbD2
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) June 15, 2019
Katie Hopkins, an English media personality and columnist known for her controversial views, is outspoken in her criticism of Islamic beliefs and customs. She is often branded by the media as ‘far-right.’
Trump later tweeted that Khan “is a national disgrace who is destroying the City of London.”
He is a national disgrace who is destroying the City of London! https://t.co/l3qcUS17jh
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) June 15, 2019
In response, Khan said on Monday: “It’s remarkable that you’ve got the president of the USA amplifying the tweets of a far-right activist, amplifying a racist tweet … That’s one of my concerns about Donald Trump — he’s now seen as a poster boy for racists around the world, whether you’re a racist in this country, whether you’re a racist in Hungary, a racist in Italy, or a racist in France.”
London’s knife crimes have been the subject of much controversy in the United Kingdom. The deaths which inspired Hopkins’ original tweet included the stabbing deaths of two teenagers. Trump’s comments were defended by British Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt who said he was “150% agreed” with Trump.
Tensions between Khan and Trump have gone on since 2016. Khan has repeatedly told the media that President Trump is not welcome in London, while Trump referred to Khan as a “stone cold loser” during his recent trip to the United Kingdom.
