Khan blasts Trump as racist and Islamophobic after UN remarks

Trump's remarks at the United Nations drew swift attention to a broader clash over London's identity as a multicultural capital. In a speech in New York, the U.S. president described London as having "a terrible, terrible mayor, and it's been changed, it's been so changed" and added that residents now face the possibility of Sharia law. Sir Sadiq Khan, London’s mayor, responded to BBC London, saying, "People are wondering what it is about this Muslim mayor who leads a liberal, multi-cultural, progressive and successful city, that means I appear to be living rent-free inside Donald Trump's head." He continued, "I think President Trump has shown he is racist, he is sexist, he is misogynistic and he is Islamophobic." When asked whether he believed Trump was Islamophobic, Khan replied, "When people say things, when people act in a certain way, when people behave in a certain way, you've got to believe them." The White House did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

Khan also framed London as a counterpoint to the president's critique, noting that the city remains a global cultural hub. He told BBC London that London is "often the number one city on the globe when it comes to culture" and highlighted record numbers of Americans visiting the capital. The exchange underscored a broader debate about the intersection of religion, law and pluralism in Britain.

Regarding religious arbitration, officials note that Sharia councils operate in the UK on matters such as marriage and financial disputes, but they are not legally binding. The government has stated that Sharia law forms "no part of the law of England and Wales," and that individuals who opt to take disputes before religious tribunals do so as a matter of personal belief within a framework of religious tolerance. In Parliament, justice minister Sarah Sackman said these councils are voluntary and non-binding if they operate outside the state legal framework. The Church of England operates ecclesiastical courts with jurisdiction over some church property and clergy-related matters, while Jewish and Roman Catholic tribunals serve other communities.

The remarks drew a mixed political reaction. Cabinet minister Pat McFadden defended Khan on Wednesday, saying the London mayor and Trump have had a long-running dispute and rejecting the idea that London would move toward Sharia law. Reform UK leader Nigel Farage said on LBC that Trump’s rhetoric should not be taken literally, but noted that Sharia is not a predominant issue in London and that Khan had not linked himself to it. In the past, Trump has openly criticized Khan, including a 2019 label of the mayor as a "stone cold loser" and, during a visit to Scotland, a remark that Khan had "done a terrible job." Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who was standing beside Trump during a separate moment, remarked that Khan is "a friend of mine, actually." The episode illustrates lingering tensions between U.S. rhetoric and Britain’s long-standing emphasis on multiculturalism and rule of law.

Analysts say the exchange highlights how culture, immigration and urban identity shape public discourse in London. The city has emphasized its arts and culture sectors as a national asset, even as politicians debate how religiously diverse populations are integrated within Britain’s legal framework. Officials stress that while debates about Muslim communities and local governance remain part of public life, the English legal system remains sovereign and distinct from non-binding religious tribunals.

As the White House weighs further comment and UK lawmakers weigh the implications, London officials say the city will continue to celebrate its diversity and culture while upholding the rule of law.