'I didn't want him there': Trump explains why he snubbed London Mayor Sadiq Khan

US President Donald Trump used the final day of his state visit to Britain to take aim at London Mayor Sadiq Khan, saying he personally requested that Khan be excluded from official events.Asked by a reporter about the mayor’s absence from the ceremonies, the US president replied bluntly: “I don’t want him there. I asked that he not be there. I don’t want. I think the Mayor of London Khan is among the worst mayors in the world. And we have some bad ones.”Trump went on to compare Khan to the mayor of Chicago, adding: “I think he’s done a terrible job. Crime in London is through the roof. The Mayor of London, Khan.

Mayor Khan has done a terrible job. And on immigration, he’s a disaster.”The president said Khan had wanted to attend but he blocked it. “I asked that he not be there. He wanted to be there, as I understand. I didn’t want him. I’ve not liked him for a long [time],” Trump said. “I just think, you know, I have a certain pride in London and UK. My mother was born in Scotland, as you know. And when I see Mayor Khan do a bad job, the stabbings and the dirt in the film, it’s not the same.

No, I didn’t want him there.

”

Trump also took a shot at California Governor Gavin Newsom, tying him to Khan in his critique of urban leadership. “If you look at Chicago. If you look at… I think [Khan] is the equivalent of the Mayor of Chicago,” Trump said, before broadening his attack to what he described as Democratic mismanagement of US cities.Despite the sharp words for Khan, Trump praised the royal family and Prime Minister Keir Starmer, calling King Charles and Queen Camilla “two fantastic people” and describing his reception as “tremendously thankful” and “grateful beyond words.”The president and Starmer signed a major agreement on science and technology, with US companies pledging billions in investment. Both leaders also discussed Ukraine, Gaza and trade, with Trump saying the two countries share a bond “like no other anywhere in the world.”The president wrapped up his visit after a ceremonial farewell at Windsor Castle and talks at Chequers, flying back to Washington on Thursday evening.