Trump Mocks UK PM and Aircraft Carriers
Newly surfaced footage captures former US President Donald Trump mocking UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer by suggesting the PM said he needed to consult his team before deciding whether to deploy UK aircraft carriers to the Middle East.
In what marks a low point in UK-US relations, Trump appeared to imitate Starmer during an Easter lunch speech held at the White House.
The US president stated that the UK "should be our best" ally but accused Starmer of hesitation regarding the deployment of aircraft carriers during the Iran conflict.
However, sources within Whitehall clarified that Trump had never formally requested the UK’s aircraft carriers, nor had the UK offered them.
During his address, Trump said:
"I asked [the] UK, who should be our best. In fact the King is coming over here in two weeks, he’s a nice guy, King Charles.
But should be our best but they weren’t our best. I said: ‘You have two, old broken-down aircraft carriers, do you think you could send them over?’
‘Ohhh, I’ll have to ask my team.’
I said: ‘You’re the prime minister, you don’t have to.’
‘No, no, no, I have to ask my team. My team has to meet, we’re meeting next week.’
But the war already started. Next week the war’s going to be over … in three days."
The remarks were delivered during a private lunch not open to the press. The White House initially released the footage on a social media platform but later deleted it. Nonetheless, a political reporter for the US website Business Insider downloaded and republished the video.
Additional Mockery of French President
At the same lunch, Trump also mocked French President Emmanuel Macron, claiming he was "still recovering from the right to the jaw" and alleging that Macron’s wife, Brigitte, "treats him extremely badly."
Context of UK-US Tensions
Trump has frequently criticized the UK for its refusal to authorize the use of British military bases for initial strikes on Iran, as well as for the decision to transfer sovereignty of the Chagos Islands to Mauritius.
Starmer has not responded directly to Trump’s comments but has affirmed his commitment to his stance on the war "whatever the pressure and the noise."
When questioned previously at Parliament’s liaison committee about Trump’s "quite rude" remarks, the prime minister stated:
"I’m utterly focused on what is in the best interests of our country and I am unapologetic about that.
Notwithstanding the pressure that comes from elsewhere, I will remain laser focused on what is in the British national interest.
And a lot of what is said or done is undoubtedly said and done to put pressure on me, I have no doubt about that. I understand what is going on. But I am not going to be wavering on this."
He further added:
"I am the British prime minister and my job is to be absolutely focused on what is in the British national interest. That has served me well in recent weeks and that is the principle that I will continue to adhere to as we go forward taking difficult decisions."
