Donald Trump fired a bitter parting shot at Keir Starmer on Saturday, predicting the British Prime Minister will resign and listing what he called Starmer's failures on immigration and energy. The post on Truth Social came as speculation mounts over Starmer's position as PM.
Trump's Tirade on Truth Social
Trump wrote: "Keir Starmer will resign as Prime Minister of The United Kingdom. He failed badly on two very important subjects—IMMIGRATION AND ENERGY (OPEN NORTH SEA OIL!). I wish him well!"
The former president's comments reflect a deteriorated relationship that was once cordial. Tensions escalated after the UK refused to allow the US to launch offensive strikes on Iran from British soil. Trump, personally affronted, repeatedly complained and said Starmer was "no Winston Churchill."
North Sea Oil and Wind Farm Vendetta
Trump has frequently moaned about the UK's decision to halt licences for drilling in the North Sea. Restarting drilling would likely benefit American companies bidding for licences. Another factor is Trump's decades-long vendetta against wind farms, stemming from turbines erected off Aberdeen near his luxury golf course. There is no indication that Starmer's opposition to new licences has harmed him in the polls.
Downing Street declined to comment on Trump's remarks.
Iran and Middle East Talks
In a separate post, Trump warned Iran to stop Hezbollah from "causing trouble." He wrote: "If they don’t, we’ll hit Iran very hard again, just like we did last week, only harder!!!" Trump was at Camp David for the weekend.
Meanwhile, Vice President JD Vance was in Switzerland to oversee talks aimed at converting the Memorandum of Understanding signed with Iran last week into a lasting peace deal. He said the Middle East is at a turning point.
"The question before us now is how much more can we accomplish together? Can we turn over a new leaf?" Vance said in brief comments ahead of the talks, dubbed the "Lake Lucerne Summit." He added: "Can we change relations in the Middle East permanently, or do we go back to doing things the old way, which is not our preference, but is certainly very much something that can happen." It was not clear if the Iranians were present during Vance's remarks.
