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The US president will touch down in the United Kingdom on Tuesday night amid harsh condemnation from London Mayor Sadiq Khan, who stated Trump of promoting extremist movements around the world.

Challenges to Starmer’s Approach

Considered a open criticism to PM Keir Starmer’s administration, Khan asserted that the president’s military actions in US cities and targeting of minorities followed strategies commonly used in an dictator’s manual.

Compounding the political pressure before the visit, a anticipated deal to remove trade barriers on UK aluminium and steel reportedly collapsed at the final hour.

Formal and Informal Engagements

Throughout the visit, Trump is expected to spend time with the king and queen at Windsor Castle, with plans including a tour, a aerial display, and a banquet. Talks with Prime Minister Starmer are scheduled for the following day at the prime minister’s retreat.

Although scheduled rallies against Trump, the agenda is arranged in a way that could avoid the president from witnessing them. However, the trip carries significant potential backlash for Starmer, particularly during the planned shared media appearance.

Khan’s Critical Remarks

In a published article, Khan stressed that while maintaining good relations with the US is practical, the UK should not hold back from challenging a leader who, in his view, has encouraged of extremist far-right politics internationally.

“This conduct is not just at odds with democratic principles – it is taken directly from the dictator’s manual.”

Khan, who previously clashed with Trump during his previous trip, also condemned the military interventions and removals absent legal safeguards.

Call for Political Courage

He stated that the close ties between the UK and US must involve frankness, even when it means voicing disagreement. He added that the country must oppose the politics of fear and social splitting.

He further criticized British politicians and the press for failing to condemn rising bigotry and prejudice, which he said contributed to a major extremist rally in London over the weekend.

“The scenes that unfolded did not come from nowhere. For far too long, our politicians and media figures have failed to criticize the growing wave of intolerance in Britain.”

Khan went on, “Government figures, silence is no longer acceptable. Now is the moment to stand up and state: this is not our identity.”

Government Response

Prime Minister Starmer received criticism for what some called a delayed reaction to the weekend’s march, which featured a recorded speech from entrepreneur Elon Musk, who according to sources claimed that “violence is coming” and urged the crowd to “fight back.”

Yet, in firm remarks during a ministerial discussion, Starmer declared that the UK faced “a crucial struggle” against division.

Per a summary of his comments, Starmer told officials that the violence toward law enforcement and a protest organized by a known offender were not only shocking but also intimidating to the public, notably Black and Asian individuals.

Mixed Responses within the Administration

First responses, Business Secretary Peter Kyle suggested that he was not alarmed by the scope of the event or the messages used, stating that it proved that freedom of expression and assembly rights were thriving in the UK.

However, an official source afterwards noted that while free expression is a fundamental principle, many people were scared by incitement of aggression and divisive rhetoric.

Health Secretary Wes Streeting, addressing an LGBT event, criticized the notion that rising prejudice could be defended as liberty, labeling it “ridiculous.”

The minister went on, stating awareness for those who doubt whether the leadership is on their side, and emphasizing that the recent demonstration did not embody the society people choose to live in.