London Mayor Sadiq Khan has said he is willing to meet Donald Trump, even after the US President branded him “a nasty person” who has “done a terrible job.”
Khan, who has previously warned that Trump is “not a force for good” and that his rhetoric could unintentionally radicalise individuals, dismissed the President’s remarks as “water off a duck’s back.” Speaking at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, he compared the exchange to being “back in the school playground” at nine years old.
Appearing on the Political Party show with comedian Matt Forde, Khan pushed back against Trump’s criticisms:
“Somebody who has views like he does about black people, about women, about gays, about Muslims, about Mexicans, thinks I’m nasty. Really. He is the leader of the free world, arguably the most powerful man in the world, and really.”
Khan highlighted that applications for British citizenship from Americans have risen since the start of Trump’s second term, joking: “I think Americans have got good taste by and large.”
The Mayor also urged the President to experience London’s diversity during his upcoming state visit, calling it “a strength, not a weakness.” He warned that Trump’s words risk giving dangerous views legitimacy:
“When President Trump says some of the things he does, it brings from the periphery to the mainstream, views that are potentially dangerous. He inadvertently could be radicalising people with views that could lead to them doing things that are dangerous.”
Despite personal criticism, Khan insisted he would welcome a meeting with Trump, saying he wanted to show it is possible to be “a proud westerner, a proud Muslim, proud to be British and of Pakistani origin – and a law-abiding citizen.”
He added: “If there was an opportunity to meet President Trump, I would be more than happy to do so.”
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