US President Donald Trump has branded British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer “a loser” in private conversations, claiming the Labour leader “has no future”.
His comments reportedly came as relations sour over the UK’s reluctance to join US-led military action against Iran.
The remarks, disclosed by sources close to the President and first reported today by The Telegraph, reveal mounting frustration in Washington over Britain’s “petulant, pacifist, legalistic, and very political” stance against strikes on Iranian targets, as described in accounts of a recent Cabinet meeting according to the Daily Mail today.
A source familiar with Trump’s discussions told The Telegraph: “Trump has started calling Starmer a loser. He said it at a dinner with friends. He just thinks Starmer has no future any more.”
The comments were made during a period of heightened Middle East conflict following US airstrikes on Iranian nuclear facilities and proxy militias.
British bases in Cyprus have come under attack from Iran-backed groups, prompting calls from opposition figures such as Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch for stronger UK involvement.
In a post on X, Badenoch criticised the PM’s inaction, stating: “Starmer’s inaction is making Britain look weak and angering our closest allies. Even worse, it seems he’s doing it because of his party’s interest, not the national interest.”
The rift highlights a deepening strain in the so-called “special relationship” between the US and UK, with Trump previously telling The Sun’s political editor Harry Cole that the alliance is “not what it used to be” and that Britain is “not a recognisable country” anymore.
“It’s not Winston Churchill we are dealing with,” Trump remarked.
On March 3, Trump suggested that Starmer is “pandering” to Muslim voters by declining to support US military strikes against Iran.
His Labour government has faced internal divisions, with reports of a potential left-wing revolt led by former Labour leader Ed Miliband if the UK were to commit to offensive operations.
During an emergency Cabinet session late last month, Starmer reportedly invoked legal advice from Attorney General Richard Hermer to argue against involvement, emphasising a defensive posture only.
Critics say this approach not only undermines western unity but also exposes UK personnel to further risks without deterring aggressors.
Despite the initial refusal to grant the US permission to conduct strikes from RAF bases, citing international law, Starmer did allow them over the night of March 1.
These strikes were launched from the joint US-UK base on Diego Garcia in the Chagos Islands, which the UK controversially wants to give away to Mauritius.
Mauritius has voiced frustration over the stalled ratification of its 2025 Chagos Archipelago treaty with the UK, tying the issue to the escalating Middle East conflict in an official communiqué, condeming the war on Iran as illegal. https://t.co/zn2DHobGMw
— Brussels Signal (@brusselssignal) March 4, 2026
