Sadiq Khan Slams Trump Over ‘Lies’ About London 2026

Key Points

• Sir Sadiq Khan accused Donald Trump of spreading “misinformation, disinformation, and lies” about London.
• Comments came after a meeting with British diplomats and ambassadors in London.
• Trump has repeatedly criticised Khan, calling him a “terrible mayor” and a “nasty person.”
• The London Mayor cited crime data showing London as safer than many major US cities.
• Metropolitan Police data shows London’s murder rate at its lowest in a decade.
• White House spokesperson Anna Kelly defended Trump, blaming “left-wing policies” for urban decline.
• Khan urged diplomats to “rebut propaganda” damaging London’s global reputation.

London (Britain Today News) April 1, 2026 — Sir Sadiq Khan has launched a firm response to former US President Donald Trump’s renewed attacks on London, accusing him of peddling “lies and propaganda” about the city. Speaking at a meeting with UK diplomats and international envoys, Khan urged British representatives abroad to actively challenge misinformation originating from Washington.

As reported by Reuters, the London Mayor stated:

“A lot of this misinformation, disinformation and lies come from the United States of America. It’s really important ⁠to counter the propaganda coming from President Trump.”

His remarks underline growing tensions between the two political figures, whose public exchanges have often drawn global attention.

Why did Sadiq Khan criticise Donald Trump again?

According to reports by The Standard, Khan’s comments were prompted by Trump’s latest claims that crime in London is “through the roof” and that the city is sliding towards “sharia law”. These allegations, repeatedly dismissed as unfounded, have been interpreted by many observers as attacks linked to Khan’s Muslim background.

Trump’s criticisms of Khan date back several years, with the former US leader calling him a “terrible mayor” during his presidency and again during recent public appearances in Florida. The renewed confrontation follows Trump’s interview on an American broadcast network last week, where he warned that London had become “a cautionary tale” for Western nations.

Khan, a long-time advocate of social cohesion and metropolitan diversity, countered that while London had its challenges, it remained safer and more welcoming than most major US cities.

“We have to confront these lies. They’re not just wrong — they hurt London’s reputation,”

he told attending diplomats.

What crime figures did Khan reference?

Citing Metropolitan Police data, Sir Sadiq pointed out that London’s murder rate had fallen to its lowest level in over a decade, even as the city’s population rose by around one million since 2010. The figures show London’s murder rate at 1.1 per 100,000 residents, substantially below New York’s 2.8 and far lower than Philadelphia’s 12.4 per 100,000, according to recent comparative data.

“London has its problems,” Khan said,

“but let’s be clear — our city is safer than many across the United States.”

His remarks sought to reframe the debate using official statistics rather than political rhetoric.

The Mayor also warned that exaggerated or false narratives online could discourage students, investors, and tourists from engaging with the British capital, undermining its role as a global hub.

“Social media lies can have real-world consequences for the people of London,”

he noted.

How did the White House respond to Sadiq Khan’s remarks?

In response to Khan’s comments, White House spokesperson Anna Kelly defended Donald Trump’s stance in a statement sent to The Standard. She claimed that

“left-wing policies of unfettered migration and destructive globalism have made once-great cities like London unrecognisable.”

Kelly added:

“Such policies have allowed criminals to run wild and antisemitism to thrive. President Trump saved the United States from such destruction when he was elected, and he is rightfully warning European leaders that Western civilisation will continue to erode if they don’t quickly reverse course.”

The remarks from Washington reflected a continuation of Trump’s campaign narrative — positioning himself as a defender of order, nationalism, and conservative urban renewal.

Is this feud between Khan and Trump new?

The exchange marks the latest chapter in a long-running personal and political feud between the two leaders. Their first public clash dates back to 2016 when Khan criticised then-candidate Trump’s proposed Muslim travel ban, calling it “divisive” and “ignorant”. In return, Trump accused Khan of being “weak on terrorism” after a London attack in 2017.

As reported previously by The Guardian and BBC News, exchanges have continued intermittently over the years — often reigniting whenever Trump comments on Britain’s domestic affairs. This latest incident, however, comes at a sensitive time for both figures: Khan faces local elections later this year, while Trump, now seeking political resurgence in American politics, has been vocal about European urban policies.

What did Khan tell British diplomats to do?

At the diplomatic gathering on Tuesday, Khan underscored the responsibility of British envoys to correct foreign narratives that misrepresent the city.

“One of the things that we’ve got to do better is to rebut these lies that exist across the globe,”

he said, as quoted by Reuters.

He called for “facts, data, and lived experience” to serve as the foundation of the UK’s international image. Khan emphasised that London’s resilience and diversity remained “the envy of many,” despite external attempts to discredit it.

His appeal was warmly received by several attendees, according to sources quoted in The Standard, who described the mayor’s tone as both forceful and measured.

“He was clearly frustrated with the misinformation but equally focused on presenting London as confident and open,”

said one diplomatic source.

What is the public and political reaction?

Reactions from political figures in the UK were mixed. Supporters in the Labour Party praised Khan for standing up to “falsehoods about London,” while some Conservative voices argued that his confrontation with Trump risked unnecessary diplomatic friction. A senior Tory MP told Sky News that “taking on Trump only fuels division,” adding that

“the Mayor should focus on London’s real issues rather than online disputes.”

Public opinion appears similarly divided. Some London residents took to social media supporting Khan’s call to “challenge lies,” while others suggested he should focus more intently on local governance, including housing and transport safety concerns.

How might this affect London’s image abroad?

Political analysts suggest that Khan’s firm stance plays into a broader debate about the future of global cities and political narratives that shape them. According to Reuters political correspondent, the mayor’s remarks were designed to reassure international partners that London remains safe, diverse, and fact-driven despite polarising commentary abroad.

Observers note that misinformation and reputation politics have become key challenges for Western capitals in recent years, amplified by social media and transatlantic ideological clashes. Khan’s pushback may signal a broader strategy among British officials to defend institutional credibility against populist narratives.

Looking ahead

While neither side appears ready to soften their stance, Khan’s call to “fight falsehoods with facts” may resonate among diplomats and city leaders confronting similar misinformation challenges. Whether his latest remarks further strain or simply spotlight tensions between London and Washington remains to be seen.

For now, the Mayor’s message was clear: counter misinformation, protect London’s image, and address criticism with verifiable data — not political noise.