Sadiq Khan responds to President’s ‘nasty person’ jibe with sharp criticism at Edinburgh Festival event
Edinburgh – London Mayor Sadiq Khan has escalated his ongoing dispute with Donald Trump, accusing the US President of potentially “inadvertently radicalising people” and being a negative force on the world stage.
Speaking at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe’s Political Party show, Khan responded to Trump’s recent description of him as a “nasty person” who has “done a terrible job” running London. The exchange represents the latest chapter in a years-long feud between the two political figures.
‘Water Off a Duck’s Back’
Khan dismissed Trump’s personal attacks as insignificant, saying they made him feel like he was “nine years old again” and “in the school playground.” However, the London mayor delivered a pointed counterattack against the President’s broader influence.
“Somebody who has views like he does about black people, about women, about gays, about Muslims, about Mexicans, thinks I’m nasty,” Khan said during the comedy show hosted by Matt Forde. “He is the leader of the free world, arguably the most powerful man in the world, and really.”
Claims of American Migration to London
The mayor cited what he described as unprecedented numbers of Americans applying for British citizenship and relocating to London since Trump’s inauguration in January, suggesting dissatisfaction with the President’s policies.
“Since the middle of January this year and last month, there have never been more Americans applying to British citizenship and living in London,” Khan claimed. “So I think Americans have got good taste by and large.”
Concerns Over ‘Dangerous Views’
Khan’s most serious accusation centered on Trump’s potential to mainstream extremist viewpoints, though he stopped short of suggesting intentional harm.
“When President Trump says some of the things he does, it brings from the periphery to the mainstream, views that are potentially dangerous,” the mayor said. “He inadvertently – I’m not going to suggest he does it deliberately – he inadvertently could be radicalising people with views that could lead to them doing things that are dangerous.”
Khan expressed particular concern that minorities “could be treated less favourably because of the views of the President of the USA,” accusing Trump of “using London and our diversity as a political football, as a proxy for a culture war.”
Open to Dialogue Despite Criticism
Despite his harsh criticism, Khan indicated willingness to meet with Trump during the President’s anticipated state visit to Britain next month. The mayor said he would use such an opportunity to demonstrate that diversity represents “strength, not weakness” for London.
“I would seek to show him that it is possible to be proud to be a westerner and proud to be Muslim, that it is possible to be British, and proud to be British, and be of Pakistani origin and be a law abiding citizen and we aren’t three-headed monsters,” Khan explained.
Historical Context of Feud
The Khan-Trump conflict spans several years and multiple controversies:
2016: Trump challenged Khan to an IQ test after the mayor called his views on Islam “ignorant”
2019: Trump labeled Khan a “stone cold loser” following the mayor’s decision to allow a giant inflatable “Trump baby” blimp during the President’s state visit to London
Recent: Trump’s latest attack came during his visit to Scotland last month, where he branded Khan a “nasty person”
Broader Implications
Khan positioned the dispute within larger concerns about Western democratic values, stating: “We can’t run away from the fact that there are some really serious challenges we face as a western society and President Trump, in my view, I speak generally, isn’t a force for good.”
The mayor suggested Trump’s negative view of Muslims may stem from “the actions of a small minority of really bad people who are terrorists and use Islam in a perverted way,” emphasizing that such extremists represent “a very small fraction of Muslims across the globe.”
Political Context
The ongoing feud highlights broader tensions between liberal urban leaders and Trump’s administration, with Khan serving as one of the President’s most vocal international critics. As London prepares for Trump’s upcoming state visit, the exchange underscores the diplomatic challenges facing both leaders.
Khan’s appearance at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, known for its blend of entertainment and political commentary, provided a platform for the mayor to address the controversy while maintaining his characteristic blend of humor and serious political critique.
The dispute continues to generate significant media attention on both sides of the Atlantic, reflecting broader debates about immigration, diversity, and the role of political rhetoric in contemporary society.
