Donald Trump has dismissed Andy Burnham as an 'extremely liberal' politician and the 'mayor of a small town', escalating a war of words that has been brewing for years. The US President's comments come amid strained UK-US relations following Sir Keir Starmer's refusal to join the US and Israel in the Iran war launched in February. Trump said he was 'not happy' with the UK, and the dynamic is unlikely to improve if Burnham replaces Starmer as prime minister.
Burnham's History of Criticising Trump
While Burnham largely avoided commenting on foreign policy during his tenure as Mayor of Greater Manchester, a review of his past interviews and social media reveals consistent criticism of Trump. In a 2024 interview, Burnham said Trump's return to office had 'shaken global politics', calling his decisions on the Russia-Ukraine war 'out of order' and 'bringing instability to the world'. He linked Trump to a wider rise in populist politics.
In 2017, Burnham told the Manchester Evening News he would refuse to meet Trump as a 'matter of principle' during a planned state visit, accusing him of sharing 'hateful extremist material' online. He also called on then-Prime Minister Theresa May to withdraw the state visit invitation.
Social Media Jabs and Political Comparisons
Burnham has taken digs at Trump on social media over the years. In 2016, during the Ryder Cup, he tweeted: 'The golf is great. But American crowd makes it almost unwatchable. I blame Trump.' That same year, he commented on Trump's vow to reverse gun control progress, tweeting: 'Hard to accept lectures on public safety in Europe from a man who vows to reverse modest US progress on gun control.'
On January 6, 2021, as rioters stormed the US Capitol, Burnham posted: 'Any UK politician who gave Trump the time of day should be ashamed right now.' In August 2021, before the US withdrawal from Afghanistan, he said: 'Worried for Afghanistan after the Biden speech. More leadership was needed. Why dig in behind the flawed Trump plan?'
Trumpian Tactics in Local Politics
Burnham has also invoked Trump as a negative comparison in local political debates. In 2021, during a row over Greater Manchester's clean air plans, Conservative candidate Laura Evans targeted Burnham over a proposed congestion charge. Burnham responded that the policy was a Conservative one 'imposed on GM without the funding we need', and when a user questioned Evans' tactics, Burnham said: 'Yep, one straight from the Trump playbook!'
White House Response and Tommy Robinson
When asked about Burnham's comments, White House Deputy Press Secretary Anna Kelly told CBS News: 'Left-wing policies of unfettered migration and destructive globalism have made once-great European cities unrecognisable – allowing criminals to run wild and antisemitism to thrive. President Trump saved the United States from such destruction when he was elected, and he has rightfully warned other world leaders that western civilisation will continue to erode if they don't quickly reverse course.'
Far-right activist Tommy Robinson also weighed in, quoting one of Burnham's old comments on X: 'FYI @realDonaldTrump. This is the latest disgrace dragging the United Kingdom through the mud. Keep your eye on him. We are.'
What This Means for UK-US Relations
If Burnham becomes prime minister, his history of antagonism toward Trump suggests transatlantic relations could face further turbulence. As the article notes, 'one thing is certain – any interaction between him and Donald Trump is not going to be boring.'
