‘Stone cold loser’: Donald Trump lashes London mayor, who fires back in video form
A day after US President labelled him a “stone cold loser”, the London mayor has fired back with a two-minute video rant.
Donald Trump attacked London’s mayor as a “stone cold loser” as he arrived in the UK for a state visit and waded into British politics even before touching down, but Sadiq Khan has hit back.
The President called Mr Khan “very dumb” and “incompetent” and mocked his height before touching down at Stansted Airport in Air Force One with wife Melania.
Mr Trump said the mayor had been “foolishly ‘nasty’ to the visiting President of the United States”.
“Kahn (sic) reminds me very much of our very dumb and incompetent Mayor of NYC, (Bill) de Blasio, who has also done a terrible job — only half his height,” tweeted the President.
.@SadiqKhan, who by all accounts has done a terrible job as Mayor of London, has been foolishly “nasty†to the visiting President of the United States, by far the most important ally of the United Kingdom. He is a stone cold loser who should focus on crime in London, not me......
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) June 3, 2019
Mr Khan had called the President “one of the most egregious examples of a growing global threat” from far-right groups, in a Sunday opinion piece for The Observer.
He told Sky News, “I don’t think we should be rolling out the red carpet”, likening the US to a best friend should “call out when you think they’re wrong”.
Now, Mr Khan has released a two-minute video outlining all the things he does not like about the US President.
The video, which you can watch below, was filmed for Elle Magazine.
Mayor of London, @SadiqKhan has a message for @realDonaldTrump on his arrival to London about how women ought to be treated globally. 'Dear Trump...' https://t.co/hJ5uhS9wU6 pic.twitter.com/MwlwJu5Lpf
— ELLEUK (@ELLEUK) June 3, 2019
The tension between the polar opposite politicians goes back years, with Mr Khan saying he hoped Hillary Clinton would “trounce” Mr Trump in the 2016 election, and the President challenging the “ignorant” mayor to an IQ test.
In a combative move, Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn encouraged Brits to attend Tuesday’s protests, calling them “an opportunity to stand in solidarity with those he’s attacked in America, around the world and in our own country“, including Mr Khan.
Tomorrow's protest against Donald Trump's state visit is an opportunity to stand in solidarity with those he's attacked in America, around the world and in our own country - including, just this morning, @SadiqKhan.
— Jeremy Corbyn (@jeremycorbyn) June 3, 2019
Mr Trump’s comments infuriated Labour MPs, with Yvette Cooper calling him “divisive, childish & destructive” and saying she was “appalled” at UK Prime Minister Theresa May’s warm welcome for him.
Diane Abbott said they were “ridiculous insults” from the President.
Ridiculous insults from Trump https://t.co/EXMWlz70Uw
— Diane Abbott (@HackneyAbbott) June 3, 2019
So appalled Theresa May has given this man a red carpeted platform to do this. Doesn’t help Britain to be lavishing pomp on a President so determined to be divisive, childish & destructive. Doesn’t help US or world to be gifting him a whole load of Royal photo ops to use next yr https://t.co/iApxm4G7m9
— Yvette Cooper (@YvetteCooperMP) June 3, 2019
But Conservative leadership candidate Jeremy Hunt told Sky News the spat had started because Mr Khan and other Labour Party members had boycotted the visit, which he thought “totally inappropriate”.
Mr Corbyn pledged in April to skip Monday night’s state dinner for Mr Trump in protest over the President’s “racist and misogynistic rhetoric”.
The Duchess of Sussex will also miss the banquet, as she will be caring for her newborn baby with Prince Harry, who may attend, along with Prince William and Kate.
In one of several interviews with British newspapers before his arrival, Mr Trump was told by The Sun that Meghan had criticised him during the 2016 US presidential campaign. “I didn’t know that,” he said. “What can I say? I didn’t know that she was nasty.”
He then tweeted that he “never called Meghan Markle nasty” and the “Fake News Media” had made up the comment. The tabloid then shared a recording of the interview to prove its reporting was accurate.
I never called Meghan Markle “nasty.†Made up by the Fake News Media, and they got caught cold! Will @CNN, @nytimes and others apologize? Doubt it!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) June 2, 2019
The Trumps flew from Stansted to the US ambassador’s residence of Winfield House in central London in official helicopter Marine One on Monday morning. They then flew to Buckingham Palace for a ceremonial welcome from the Queen, which will be followed by a visit to Westminster Abbey, formal tea with Prince Charles and a sumptuous state banquet.
The President’s daughter Ivanka was seen waiting at a palace window for their arrival, before watching the ceremony from a balcony with husband and Trump adviser Jared Kushner.
Don Jr and Eric also expected to attend today’s events, while the President’s youngest daughter Tiffany was spotted at A-list London haunt Annabel’s this week.
The President of the United States and Mrs Trump are welcomed by The Queen on the West Terrace of Buckingham Palace. #USStateVisit pic.twitter.com/jJjx7JhzB8
— The Royal Family (@RoyalFamily) June 3, 2019
Today, Her Majesty The Queen will welcome @POTUS and @FLOTUS for a State Visit to the United Kingdom.
— Ivanka Trump (@IvankaTrump) June 3, 2019
I am looking forward to joining the US delegation for this commemorative visit. 🇺🇸🇬🇧
Marine One on the lawn at Buckingham Palace where Pres and Mrs Trump will receive formal welcome from the Queen. pic.twitter.com/8oEytYS240
— Mark Knoller (@markknoller) June 3, 2019
Marine One lands in Buckingham Palace gardens. #USStateVisit pic.twitter.com/22FqP6PxB1
— The Royal Family (@RoyalFamily) June 3, 2019
Just arrived in the United Kingdom. The only problem is that @CNN is the primary source of news available from the U.S. After watching it for a short while, I turned it off. All negative & so much Fake News, very bad for U.S. Big ratings drop. Why doesn’t owner @ATT do something?
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) June 3, 2019
Mr Trump has already stirred anger in Brexit-battered Britain with his outrageous remarks ahead of what looks set to be a tumultuous week.
He called for Boris Johnson to replace outgoing Mrs May, said the UK should sue the European Union and leave with no deal, and insisted Nigel Farage should have a role in negotiations.
The US ambassador also appalled the British public ahead of Mr Trump’s visit by saying all of the UK economy would be under discussion in a trade deal, including the nation’s treasured National Health Service.
In a Sunday Times interview, the President said Mrs May had left the EU “with all the cards” in the Brexit negotiations. He said the next prime minister should refuse to pay the £A70 billion exit bill and should “walk away” with no deal if necessary.
He confirmed he had told Mrs May to sue to EU, and said the US could be “an incredible trade partner” that would “make up more than the difference” of the relationship with Europe. “One of the advantages of Brexit is the fact that now you can deal with the No 1 economy in the world by far,” he said.
Mrs May said in a statement ahead of the visit: “This is a significant week for the special relationship and an opportunity to further strengthen our already close partnership.
“Our relationship has underpinned our countries’ security and prosperity for many years — and will continue to do so for generations to come.”
Mr Trump will meet Mrs May at Downing Street on Tuesday, with a massive protest expected in central London. Demonstrators are resurrecting the “Trump baby blimp” as they march through Trafalgar Square and gather outside parliament, while the President meets with UK politicians. On his last visit to the UK last July, 250,000 people protested in London and 400,000 across the UK.
On Wednesday, Mr Trump will head to Portsmouth on the south coast for a D-Day commemoration ceremony, attended by world leaders including Prime Minister Scott Morrison.
Thank you! 🇺🇸🇬🇧 https://t.co/hm6RXLeWpp
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) June 3, 2019
Mr Morrison will arrive in London for bilateral and business meetings on Tuesday before attending the D-Day events alongside France’s Emmanuel Macron and Canada’s Justin Trudeau.
Mr Trump told reporters the US-Australia relationship was “very strong” before boarding Air Force One for his journey to the UK.
“The Australian situation is interesting,” he said, after the New York Times reported that some of the President’s top advisers wanted him to slap Australia with aluminium and steel tariffs. “But the relationship is very strong.”
He said Australia would not by slapped with tariffs, which it avoided after lobbying by then prime minister Malcolm Turnbull last year.
“No, we’re doing a very, very special relationship with Australia,” said Mr Trump.
The agenda for Mr Trump’s week-long European trip is largely ceremonial: a state visit and an audience with the Queen, D-Day ceremonies on both sides of the English Channel and his first presidential visit to Ireland, which will include a stay at his coastal golf club.
On previous visits to Europe, Mr Trump has strained historic friendships and insulted his hosts.
He endured strong criticism on his visit to France in November, when he skipped a ceremony at an American military cemetery to mark the 100th anniversary of the end of World War I after rain grounded his helicopter.
This time, he faces an ally in turmoil and a global call to renew democratic pacts. His visit comes at a fraught time in British politics, with Mrs May due to step down as Conservative Party leader on Friday over the country’s Brexit turmoil, and 13 candidates vying to take her place.
Mrs May’s departure comes after the UK parliament repeatedly rejected her divorce deal with the European Union, which Mr Trump had criticised.
The President also faces troubled times back home, with fresh calls for impeachment after Robert Mueller’s comments on the Russia probe.
Mr Macron is expected to use the 75th anniversary of the World War II battle that turned the tide in Europe to call for strengthening multinational ties.
DONALD TRUMP’S UK SCHEDULE
Monday
— Lands at Stansted Airport and travels to US ambassador’s residence, Winfield House.
— Queen Elizabeth, Prince Charles and Camilla hold ceremonial welcome at Buckingham Palace.
— Mr Trump inspects the guard of honour with the Prince of Wales. Gun salutes in Green Park and the Tower of London.
— Queen hosts a lunch for Mr and Mrs Trump.
— Queen shows Trumps a special exhibition of pictures from the Royal Collection.
— Visit to Westminster Abbey.
— Tea with Prince Charles and Camilla.
— State Banquet hosted by the Queen and attended by Kate and Prince William, with Her Majesty and Mr Trump to make speeches.
Tuesday
— UK Prime Minister Theresa May and Mr Trump host business breakfast.
— Mrs May and Mr Trump meet for talks at Downing Street.
— Protests to take place in London’s Trafalgar Square and outside Parliament.
— Mr Trump and Mrs May hold joint news conference.
— Dinner at US ambassador’s residence with Charles and Camilla.
Wednesday
— Queen, Charles, Mr Trump and Melania attend commemorations of the D-Day landings in Portsmouth with heads of state including Scott Morrison.
— Queen bids formal farewell to the Trumps.
— Mr Trump meets Irish Prime Minister Leo Varadkar in Ireland.
— Visit to President’s Doonbeg golf resort in Ireland.
Thursday
— D-Day ceremonies in France marking 75th anniversary of invasion of Normandy.
Continue the conversation emma.reynolds@news.com.au / @emmareyn.
— With wires
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