Donald Trump used a White House Easter lunch to ridicule Keir Starmer, claiming the British prime minister had equivocated about deploying UK aircraft carriers to the Middle East.
Video footage captured the US president impersonating Starmer during the speech, suggesting he had said he would need to consult his team before making a decision on sending the vessels to the region.
Trump told the audience that Britain "should be our best" ally, framing his critique as disappointment rather than outright hostility. The remarks underscored deepening tensions between Washington and London, with the president appearing to question Starmer's leadership decisiveness.
The episode marks a sharp deterioration in the tone of UK-US relations. Rather than the diplomatic niceties typically observed between allies at public events, Trump chose an Easter gathering to air grievances about British military commitment and the prime minister's response time to strategic decisions.
The timing of the comments—delivered at a high-profile White House function—ensured maximum visibility and impact. Trump's decision to impersonate Starmer suggested frustration with what he viewed as hesitation on a matter he considered straightforward.
The incident reflects broader friction between the two governments over military deployments in the Middle East, where the US has sought closer coordination with allies on regional security. Britain's approach to such decisions, requiring consultation with cabinet colleagues before committing assets, contrasts with the more unilateral style Trump favors.
The public mockery at a ceremonial occasion signals that such disagreements are no longer being handled through private diplomatic channels.
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