Donald Trump used his address to the United Nations this week to launch a blistering attack on London, its mayor Sadiq Khan, and the UK’s energy policies. The 55-minute speech, laced with incendiary remarks, quickly drew criticism for spreading what opponents described as racist tropes and misleading claims.
Trump’s swipe at London and Sadiq Khan
The former US president told delegates that London “wants to go to sharia law” under Khan, branding him a “terrible, terrible mayor”.
There is no evidence to support Trump’s claim. Sharia councils, which deal with personal and religious issues within Muslim communities, have operated in parts of the UK since the 1980s. They are advisory only and carry no legal authority, with successive governments confirming they cannot override UK law.
Khan, who has often clashed with Trump, previously condemned his proposed Muslim travel ban and criticised his handling of the London Bridge terror attack in 2017. During Trump’s 2019 state visit, Khan approved the flight of the infamous “Trump baby” blimp over Westminster.
Recent crime statistics also undermine Trump’s assertion that crime in London is “through the roof”, showing a decline in robbery, theft and burglary over the past year.
North Sea oil and the ‘lost edge’
Trump claimed Britain had squandered its “powerful edge” in energy by taxing North Sea oil so heavily that companies are no longer investing.
In reality, the North Sea Transition Authority projects that 90% of future oil and gas production will come from fields already discovered. Reserves are expected to last roughly 14 more years at current extraction rates, far from the vast untapped resources Trump suggested.
The UK’s windfall tax, introduced after soaring oil and gas prices following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, was aimed at capturing extraordinary profits. Labour has since raised the levy. Trump’s criticism ignored Norway’s example: Oslo has imposed higher taxes without stalling production, creating a $1.8tn sovereign wealth fund that benefits citizens directly.
Green energy and the countryside
The former president also took aim at renewable energy, saying wind and solar farms were “ruining” Britain’s countryside.
But research shows renewable infrastructure takes up a fraction of the land area of golf courses, with sheep grazing commonly alongside solar panels and turbines. Studies even suggest farms can see better yields due to reduced heat stress and soil moisture retention.
Scotland leads the UK in renewable development, with 15GW of onshore wind capacity, but England lagged behind for years after a Conservative moratorium on new wind projects in 2015. Labour has since lifted the restrictions, with plans to accelerate development.
A political performance
Trump’s speech, critics said, reflected more on US domestic politics than UK policy. By attacking London’s leadership and Britain’s energy approach, he revived long-standing themes of nationalism and climate scepticism popular with parts of his Republican base.
Analysts said the claims reinforced his ongoing strategy of using international platforms to push narratives that play well at home, even when evidence does not support them.
