Donald Trump has launched a blistering attack on European leaders, calling them "weak" and "decaying" while renewing his long-running feud with London Mayor Sir Sadiq Khan, whom he labeled a "horrible, vicious, disgusting mayor." The US President made the remarks in a POLITICO podcast interview as the White House published a new National Security Strategy predicting "civilisational erasure" in Europe within 20 years.
Trump told POLITICO's "The Conversation" podcast that European nations are failing to control migration and end the Ukraine war. He singled out Khan for particularly harsh criticism, suggesting the mayor's election success stems from immigration. «He gets elected because so many people have come in. They vote for him now,» Trump said.
The President described Khan as incompetent and accused him of having «a totally different ideology of what he's supposed to have.» He added: «I think he's done a terrible job. London's a different place. I love London. I love London. And I hate to see it happen.»
Europe "Going in Bad Directions"
Trump's criticism extended beyond London to the entire continent. He told the podcast: «I think they're weak, but I also think that they want to be so politically correct... I think they don't know what to do.»
The President claimed European leaders are allowing unchecked migration that will fundamentally change their countries. «They'll change their ideology, obviously, because the people coming in have a totally different ideology,» he said. Trump warned that «many of those countries will not be viable countries any longer» without border policy reforms.
He also criticized Europe's approach to Ukraine, stating: «We're talking about Ukraine. They talk but they don't produce. And the war just keeps going on and on. I mean, four years now it's been going on, long before I got here.»
National Security Strategy Predicts "Civilisational Erasure"
The remarks coincided with publication of the White House's 33-page National Security Strategy, which forecasts European nations becoming "unrecognisable" within two decades due to mass migration and censorship policies. The document warns of "civilisational erasure" and advocates "cultivating resistance" to Europe's current trajectory.
The strategy praises "patriotic European parties" and does not classify Russia as a threat to the US. It blames the EU for impeding efforts to resolve the Ukraine conflict.
Downing Street Refuses to Defend Khan
A No 10 spokesman repeatedly declined to criticize Trump's comments when questioned by journalists on Tuesday. The spokesman instead emphasized relationships, stating: «The Prime Minister has a strong relationship with the US president and a strong relationship with the Mayor of London and on both is committed to working together to deliver stronger outcomes for the British people right across the country.»
When asked why Downing Street would not defend the mayor, the spokesman responded: «I don't accept that. As I've said, the Prime Minister has a strong relationship with the Mayor of London.»
The spokesman refused to confirm whether Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer agreed with Trump's characterization of Europe, but insisted the government is determined to «return control of the asylum system.»
Divided European Response
The National Security Strategy has stoked divisions across Europe. Geert Wilders, head of the Netherlands' hard-right Party for Freedom, welcomed the document, writing on social media that Europe is becoming «a medieval continent thanks to open borders and mass immigration.»
However, centrist European politicians condemned the strategy. Norbert Röttgen, a member of the German Bundestag, warned it marks «the first time since the Second World War» the US is not standing by Europeans. European Council President António Costa rejected what he called «the threat to interfere in European politics.»
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said aspects of the strategy were «appealing» to Moscow, particularly its emphasis on dialogue and «building constructive, friendly relations.»
Ukraine Peace Process
Trump also doubled down on criticism of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, suggesting he accept an American proposal that would involve ceding territory to Russia. Trump claimed Russia holds the «upper hand» in the conflict.
Zelensky met with British, French, and German leaders in London on Monday in a show of European support, describing the talks as focused on security guarantees and long-term funding. He acknowledged: «The mood of the Americans, in principle, is for finding a compromise. Of course, there are complex issues related to the territory, and a compromise has not yet been found there.»
Sir Keir Starmer stated after the summit: «We stand with Ukraine and, if there was to be a ceasefire, it has to be a just and lasting ceasefire.»
Khan has not immediately responded to Trump's latest attacks. In September, he accused Trump of being «racist, sexist, misogynistic and Islamophobic» following earlier criticism.
Note: This article was created with Artificial Intelligence (AI).
