President Donald Trump has launched a blistering attack on Keir Starmer, blaming the Prime Minister for what he claims is a sharp decline in Britain’s cherished “special relationship” with the United States.
The US president declared that ties between the two nations were once unrivalled, but suggested that Sir Keir’s leadership had dented that standing.
“We have a tremendous relationship with the UK, people would say it’s the best, I don’t want to get into that. It was the longest and oldest, it always was the best before Keir came along,” Mr Trump said.
While offering faint praise, describing the Prime Minister as a “nice man”, Mr Trump delivered a cutting verdict, adding that Sir Keir “doesn’t produce”.
The remarks will raise eyebrows in Westminster, where ministers are already grappling with tensions over Britain’s refusal to allow US forces to use key bases during the escalating Iran conflict.
Pressed on whether he had confidence in the Prime Minister, Mr Trump pointedly refused to answer.
“It’s really for the people of the UK to have confidence. I mean, I’ve been very critical here, and I did it in a friendly way,” he said.
Behind the diplomatic language, however, lay a more scathing critique. The president branded Sir Keir’s flagship policies on immigration and energy a “disaster”, warning of dire consequences not just for Britain but for the continent as a whole.
“I disagree with him on two things, primarily immigration, his immigration policy is a disaster, and his energy policy is a disaster,” Mr Trump said.
“And they’re about the biggest policies you can have. You’ve allowed millions and millions and millions of people to come into your country that shouldn’t be there.
“And by the way, that’s all over Europe. Europe is a different place. It’s a different place… Bad. Bad things have happened to you, and you better do something about immigration, and you better do something about energy, or you won’t have a Europe.”
The president also made clear his frustration over Britain’s reluctance to provide military support in the Iran crisis, revealing he was “very disappointed” with Sir Keir’s approach.
“I was disappointed, because he was willing to send two aircraft carriers after we won… but I said no, no, we want things sent before the war, not after the war is won.
“So yeah, I’m disappointed with the guy. I like him, I think he’s a nice man, but I’m disappointed.”
In a further slight, Mr Trump repeated his assertion that the Labour leader “was no Winston Churchill”, underscoring the growing gulf between the White House and Downing Street.
The row comes amid wider tensions with Nato allies, as European nations, including Britain, resist calls to send forces to secure the vital Strait of Hormuz.
France’s president has already ruled out involvement “until the situation has calmed down”, reflecting a broader reluctance across the continent to be drawn deeper into the conflict.
The lack of support has reportedly infuriated Mr Trump. Senior Republican Lindsey Graham revealed the president’s anger in stark terms after speaking with him.
“Just spoke to the president about our European allies’ unwillingness to provide assets to keep the Strait of Hormuz functioning, which benefits Europe far more than America. I have never heard him so angry in my life. I share that anger given what’s at stake,” Mr Graham said.
Mr Trump himself went further, suggesting the United States may no longer need its allies at all.
“Because of the fact that we have had such Military Success, we no longer ‘need,’ or desire, the NATO Countries’ assistance – WE NEVER DID!” he wrote on Truth Social.
In an extraordinary broadside, the president also turned his fire on the BBC, accusing the broadcaster of “corrupt” and “fraudulent” reporting on the Iran war.
“I watched them this morning for some crazy reason, and it was so inaccurate. Their reporting of the war was unbelievable,” he said.
“We have decimated that country. And if you watch BBC, it’s almost like they’re fighting for us to draw. We’re not fighting to a draw. It was very inaccurate news.
“It was fake news. I’m very proud of the term fake news, because it’s my term. I came up with it, but it’s no longer accurate. It’s corrupt, fraudulent news. It really is. It’s fraudulent. It’s not just fake, beyond fake, it’s really criminal.”
As the war of words intensifies, Sir Keir finds himself under pressure not only at home but from across the Atlantic, with relations between Britain and its closest ally appearing increasingly strained.
