Trump targets London over Sharia claim; Khan fires back during UN remarks

In a United Nations General Assembly address that touched on Europe and migration, Donald Trump resumed his clash with London Mayor Sir Sadiq Khan, saying of the U.K. capital that it has “changed” and now “they want to go to Sharia law.” The comments, delivered in New York amid questions about the U.S. president’s approach to Western allies, followed a separate volley of criticism from Khan, who on Thursday described Trump as racist, sexist, misogynistic and Islamophobic in a television interview.

During the UN remarks, Trump argued that Europe was in trouble and warned against what he described as uncontrolled immigration. He turned his critique toward London, saying: “I look at London, where you have a terrible mayor, terrible, terrible mayor, and it’s been changed. Now they want to go to Sharia law. But you are in a different country, you can’t do that.” He added that London’s immigration policies and “their suicidal energy ideas” could imperil Western Europe if not addressed urgently.

Sir Sadiq Khan’s response to the remarks came swiftly. In an interview with Sky News, the mayor questioned the basis of Trump’s complaints about London and asserted that the president’s comments reflected longstanding issues in his rhetoric. Khan said, in effect, that Trump’s statements were part of a broader pattern and pressed the point that the Malaysian-born politician’s description of London as a city plagued by crime did not align with reality, pointing to London’s record as a multicultural, economically vibrant metropolis. He said, “I think people who are wondering what it is about this Muslim mayor who leads a liberal, multicultural, progressive, successful city … I appear to be living rent free inside Donald Trump’s head,” before adding more pointedly that Trump had shown he is racist, sexist, misogynistic and Islamophobic. <br/><img src="https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2025/09/24/12/102411853-0-image-m-25_1758713394751.jpg" alt="City skyline and officials" />

Khan’s office and supporters quickly pushed back against the president’s broader critique of London. A spokesperson for the mayor said they would not dignify Trump’s remarks with a formal response, while reiterating that London is “the greatest city in the world,” safer than many major U.S. cities, and welcoming of residents and visitors alike. In a separate statement, officials cited comparative crime data to underline the city’s strengths and international appeal as London positioned itself as a global hub for culture, business and creativity.

The Trump remarks came as part of a broader narrative in which he cast Western Europe as stumbling under what he described as mass migration and “illegal aliens.” In the same UN speech, he argued that Western governments should take decisive action to secure borders and emphasized that the United States would continue to pursue policies aligned with national security and economic interests. He also noted that his UK visit had included a president-to-king and prime minister engagement, while noting the absence of a public London event during the state visit period.

Britain’s domestic political reaction included a counterpoint from Work and Pensions Secretary Pat McFadden, who dismissed Trump’s attack on Khan as a misreading of London and a reminder of the capital’s value to the United Kingdom. Speaking on BBC Breakfast, McFadden described London as a “big asset” and suggested that Trump’s portrayal failed to reflect the reality of the city, which stands as a major engine of the UK economy, culture and innovation. He added during an interview on Times Radio that, in Britain, the country upholds British law in its capital and across the country, a point he contrasted with Trump’s rhetoric about Sharia or any alternative legal frameworks.

The London–Washington dispute is not new. Khan and Trump have sparred for years, with the mayor previously criticizing Trump over policies and comments that Khan said would fuel divisions and, at times, echo far-right rhetoric in other parts of the world. In turn, Trump has repeatedly singled Khan out by name, most notably during his first term in the White House and again during a subsequent state visit and related events. In 2018, Khan’s office permitted an inflatable depiction of Trump as a baby to fly near Parliament Square during the president’s visit, a symbol of public protest that highlighted the personal and political animus between the two leaders.

Beyond their exchange, the two men reflect broader questions about how Western capitals counter populist rhetoric while preserving open, diverse cities. Reform UK’s Nigel Farage also weighed in, suggesting that Trump’s remarks should not be taken literally but should be “taken seriously.” Farage added that while Sharia is not an overwhelming issue in London, it is a topic that Trump used to argue a broader point about cultural and political change in the West, a point Khan and his supporters have consistently rejected as misinformed or inflammatory.

As Trump’s state visit concluded, with public engagements largely outside London and a schedule centered on Windsor and Chequers, the ongoing spat underscored a broader friction between a U.S. administration seeking to project a hard line on security and immigration and a major European capital that has long prided itself on multiculturalism and global influence. For Khan, the alignment with London’s voters and businesses remains a priority, even as he faces questions about the broader implications of such exchanges on international relations.

The episode illustrates how a single speech at the UN can amplify domestic political dynamics and international tensions, reshaping how world leaders view each other’s rhetoric and the practical consequences for cities that sit at the center of global finance, culture and diplomacy. As the United States and Britain navigate these tensions, London’s status as a leading global city will likely remain a focal point in ongoing debates about security, immigration, and the role of urban leadership in an increasingly polarized world.