Sadiq Khan Fires Back at Trump Over State Banquet ‘Snub’: ‘Fear and Division Won’t Win’
London Mayor Sadiq Khan dismissed Donald Trump’s claim of personally blocking him from a royal state banquet as “fear and division,” reigniting their long-standing feud during the U.S. president’s UK visit. With Sadiq Khan Trump snub, Trump state banquet Khan, London mayor Trump feud, royal banquet exclusion, and Khan Trump response 2025 making waves, this exchange highlights transatlantic tensions as Trump touts his “special relationship” with Britain.
Trump’s Air Force One Tirade: ‘I Didn’t Want Him There’
Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One on September 18, 2025, en route from his UK state visit, President Donald Trump boasted about excluding Sadiq Khan from the Windsor Castle state banquet hosted by King Charles III. “I didn’t want him there. I asked that he not be there,” Trump said, labeling Khan “among the worst mayors in the world” and accusing him of failing on immigration, crime, and public safety.
Trump claimed Khan “wanted to be there,” but sources close to the mayor told BBC and Sky News that Khan neither sought nor expected an invitation. The event, attended by UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer and other dignitaries, celebrated Trump’s second state visit, complete with military flypast and toasts to the U.S.-UK alliance.
Khan’s Sharp Rebuttal: Politics of Fear Won’t Prevail
Khan hit back swiftly on September 19, 2025, via a statement to Metro, calling Trump’s politics “one of fear and division.” He highlighted London’s appeal, noting a “record number of Americans” moving to the city, contrasting Trump’s barbs with its thriving diversity.
This isn’t new—Khan has long criticized Trump for fanning far-right flames globally. In a pre-visit Guardian op-ed on September 16, Khan accused Trump of actions “straight out of the autocrat’s playbook,” like military use in U.S. cities and deportations without due process. Starmer, a Khan ally, defended him in July, calling the mayor “a friend.”
Background: A Feud Spanning Two Terms
The Trump-Khan clash dates to 2016, when Trump branded Khan a “stone-cold loser” over London terror attacks. Khan retaliated, calling Trump’s policies “ignorant” and banning his UK visit over the Muslim ban.
During Trump’s 2019 state visit, Khan organized anti-Trump protests, dubbing him a “global threat.” The 2025 visit, Trump’s first since his 2024 reelection, featured pageantry but no Khan appearance—despite his Privy Counsellor status, mayors aren’t standard invitees.
Public Backlash and Expert Takes: A Clash of Styles
Social media lit up with memes mocking Trump’s “snub,” one X post quipping: “Trump banning Khan from a party he wasn’t invited to? Peak pettiness.” Supporters praised Trump’s candor, while critics decried it as divisive.
Experts see it as symbolic. “This feud embodies transatlantic rifts on immigration and populism,” says a King’s College London political analyst. Starmer’s “critical friend” approach—praising the alliance while jabbing Trump—balances diplomacy, per BBC analysis.
Why Americans Should Care: Trade, Travel, and the ‘Special Relationship’
This spat ripples to U.S. shores, straining the U.S.-UK “special relationship” valued at $300 billion in annual trade. Economically, Trump’s jabs could complicate post-Brexit deals, hiking costs for U.S. exporters.
Lifestyle impacts hit travelers—tensions might spur U.S. travel advisories or visa hurdles for Brits. Politically, it foreshadows 2026 midterms, with Democrats echoing Khan’s critiques and Republicans lauding Trump’s style. Technologically, it spotlights AI deepfakes in political discourse, as seen in 2025’s UK election scandals. In sports, it could affect Premier League viewership or joint U.S.-UK events like the Ryder Cup.
Feud Reignited: A Test for Transatlantic Ties
Sadiq Khan’s clapback at Trump’s state banquet “snub”—a non-event Khan never sought—exposes enduring U.S.-UK divides on leadership and values. With Sadiq Khan Trump snub, Trump state banquet Khan, London mayor Trump feud, royal banquet exclusion, and Khan Trump response 2025 fueling debate, this episode tests Starmer’s balancing act. As trade talks loom, expect more barbs, but the alliance endures—proving pettiness can’t eclipse shared history.
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