London Mayor Sadiq Khan has publicly labeled former U.S. President Donald Trump as “racist, sexist, misogynistic, and Islamophobic” following Trump’s inflammatory remarks during his address to the United Nations General Assembly on September 23, 2025.
Trump’s UN Comments Spark Diplomatic Tension
During his speech at the UN, Trump singled out Khan—London’s first Muslim mayor—calling him a “terrible, terrible mayor” and falsely claiming that London was moving toward implementing Sharia law. “Now they want to go to Shariah law, but you’re in a different country; you can’t do that,” Trump said .
Khan’s office initially declined to respond directly, with a spokesperson calling Trump’s remarks “appalling and bigoted” . However, the next day, while launching a new London bus route, Khan didn’t hold back: “I think President Trump has shown he is racist, he is sexist, he is misogynistic, and he’s Islamophobic.”
Setting the Record Straight: Sharia Law in the UK
Trump’s claim about Sharia law in London is factually incorrect. According to the UK Ministry of Justice, “Sharia ‘law’ has no jurisdiction in England and Wales,” and the government has “no intention to change” that stance . While Sharia councils exist in the UK, they operate only on a voluntary basis for religious matters like marriage and divorce—not as part of the official legal system .
🔍 Quick Facts: Sharia Law in the UK
- ❌ No legal authority: Sharia councils cannot override UK civil law.
- ✅ Religious guidance only: Used voluntarily by some Muslims for family or inheritance matters.
- ⚖️ UK law prevails: All rulings must comply with the Human Rights Act and Equality Act.
Khan’s Historic Mandate and Progressive Leadership
Sadiq Khan, first elected in 2016, made history again in May 2024 by winning a third term as London’s mayor—the first to do so . Despite a reduced vote share (44%) and lower turnout (40.5%), he still holds the largest personal mandate of any British politician [[9][15]].
| Mayoral Election | Vote Share | Key Opponent | Notable Context |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | 56.8% | Zac Goldsmith (Conservative) | First Muslim mayor of London |
| 2021 | 55.2% | Shaun Bailey (Conservative) | Pandemic-era re-election |
| 2024 | 44% | Susan Hall (Conservative) | Historic third term despite lower turnout [[10][15]] |
Starmer’s Diplomatic Tightrope
While Khan took a hard stance, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s Labour government has pursued a more conciliatory approach toward Trump, seeking to strengthen the “special relationship” for trade and defense cooperation . Polls show 29% of Britons believe this strategy has yielded favorable treatment for the UK .
Khan, also a Labour member, stopped short of criticizing Starmer directly but emphasized that true friendship means “calling them out when they’re wrong.”
Timeline of the Trump–Khan Feud
Khan condemns Trump’s proposed Muslim ban as “outrageous.”
Trump tweets criticism after London terror attacks; Khan calls response “inappropriate.”
Trump attacks Khan at UN; Khan labels Trump racist and Islamophobic.
This latest clash underscores ongoing tensions between nationalist rhetoric and multicultural governance—a dynamic increasingly relevant to North American audiences grappling with similar political divides.
For more on U.S.-UK relations under the Starmer administration, see [INTERNAL_LINK:uk-us-special-relationship-2025].
Learn more about the structure of London’s local government from the Greater London Authority.
