Washington( The COW News Digital)In a striking admission, U.S. President Donald Trump has revealed that he personally intervened to prevent London Mayor Sadiq Khan from attending the royal state banquet held in Windsor Castle in honor of his visit. Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One, Trump launched a fresh wave of criticism against Khan, calling him one of the “worst mayors in the world.”
“I didn’t want him there, so I said he shouldn’t be invited. They canceled his invitation on my request,” Trump stated bluntly. He went on to accuse Khan of mismanaging London, citing rising crime rates and what he described as “disastrous immigration policies.”
The U.S. President’s comments are the latest escalation in a long-running feud between Trump and Khan, who have frequently clashed over issues ranging from terrorism to immigration. Trump reiterated that he has “never liked” Khan, accusing him of failing Londoners and contributing to the city’s law-and-order problems.
Meanwhile, the state banquet was attended by several high-profile figures from around the world, including media tycoon Rupert Murdoch, Labour Party leader Sir Keir Starmer, Apple CEO Tim Cook, UK Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch, and OpenAI CEO Sam Altman.
During the banquet, Trump struck a more diplomatic tone, praising King Charles for his leadership and describing the event as one of the greatest honors of his life. “This is one of the highest honors I’ve ever had — being the first U.S. president to receive this level of recognition here,” Trump said.
The decision to exclude Khan from the guest list has already triggered debates in both the U.K. and the U.S., with supporters of the mayor criticizing Trump for politicizing a ceremonial event. Critics argue that such state occasions should transcend political differences and focus on strengthening diplomatic relations.
British royal observers noted that invitations for such events are typically extended by the monarchy, but the U.S. President’s acknowledgment that he personally requested Khan’s exclusion underscores the unique nature of this visit.
The development is likely to intensify the ongoing political tension between Trump and Khan, both of whom have used each other as rhetorical targets in the past. Analysts suggest this could have implications for future U.S.-U.K. relations, especially on issues of immigration and urban security.
