London Mayor Khan calls Trump ‘racist’ over UNGA attack

During his speech at the UN, President Trump criticised London’s Mayor, Sadiq Khan. He repeatedly called him a “terrible mayor.” Critically, he claimed that the city had changed significantly and that people there now wished to adopt “Sharia law” (Islamic religious law).

In his remarks attacking London and its mayor, President Trump said:

“I look at London, where you have a terrible mayor, terrible, terrible mayor, and it’s been changed, it’s been so changed. Now they want to go to Sharia law. But you are in a different country, you can’t do that.”

London Mayor Sadiq Khan hit back the next day with a very strong statement, accusing the President of being prejudiced. He focused on the President’s alleged history of controversial comments concerning minorities, women, and Muslims.

“I think President Trump has shown he is racist, he is sexist, he is misogynistic, and he’s Islamophobic.”

The mayor dismissed the “terrible mayor” insult by pointing to London’s continued success. He highlighted that London is a “liberal, multicultural, progressive, successful city.”

He noted that the city is seeing record numbers of Americans visiting and moving there, suggesting his leadership cannot be “terrible.”

He also mocked the President, suggesting the President is obsessed with him:

“I think people are wondering what it is about this Muslim mayor who leads a liberal, multicultural, progressive, successful city that means, I appear to be living rent-free inside Donald Trump’s head.”

When was Sadiq Khan appointed as the Mayor of London?

Sadiq Khan officially assumed office as the Mayor of London on May 9, 2016.