US President reportedly calls UK PM Starmer a loser as tensions rise over Iran
Photo: Trump lashes out at Starmer over Iran (Getty Images)
US President Donald Trump has reportedly begun calling UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer "a loser" in private conversations. Relations between the two leaders have deteriorated over disagreements about the war with Iran and the status of the Chagos Islands, The Telegraph reports.
According to the outlet’s sources, the US President used the insulting description during a private dinner, signaling a significant change in attitude. Previously, Trump had referred to the British Prime Minister as a "winner."
"Trump has started calling Starmer a loser. He said it at a dinner with friends. He just thinks Starmer has no future anymore," a source told the outlet.
The main trigger for the dispute was the UK’s refusal to quickly authorize the use of the Diego Garcia base for strikes on Iran.
Trump also publicly criticized Starmer, comparing him unfavorably with a legendary British leader.
"This is not Winston Churchill that we’re dealing with," the US President said, adding that Starmer "ruins relationships."
White House shifts rhetoric
The shift in rhetoric from the White House has not been limited to foreign policy. Trump has also criticized domestic decisions by the British government.
He described Downing Street’s immigration and energy policies as "horrible," despite praising Starmer only a few months earlier for his "beautiful accent" and calling him a "very tough negotiator."
The situation worsened after Starmer agreed to transfer sovereignty over the Chagos Islands to Mauritius.
Trump called the decision "a very woke thing" and said it had created unnecessary logistical difficulties for the US Air Force.
Situation around Iran and the role of allies
Earlier reports confirmed that a ground operation against Iran has begun in the Middle East. Against this backdrop, Donald Trump made a tough statement, promising that after Tehran, the next target of the United States will also fall.
Meanwhile, concern is growing in Europe over the escalation. The EU has warned about the risk of resource exhaustion. NATO has not ruled out invoking Article 5 on collective defense in case the Alliance faces a direct threat.
It was also reported that the United Kingdom is considering options to support the US operation, though the issue has sparked serious debates within the British government.
