Donald Trump has sparked outrage by referring to Manchester as a 'town' while answering questions about prospective UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham during an Oval Office press conference. The US President's remark, made on June 24, 2026, drew immediate criticism on social media, with many branding him 'clueless' and insulting the northern English city.
Trump's Remarks on Burnham and Manchester
When asked about Keir Starmer's potential successor, Trump appeared unfamiliar with Burnham, saying: "I don't know anything. I see that he was, I guess, the mayor of a... town?" He added: "I hear he is extremely liberal. Extremely." The comment downgrading Manchester from a city to a town prompted a wave of backlash. One user on X wrote: "Now he insults the great city of Manchester. When will this all end?" Another added: "A mayor of a town? Clueless Dozy Don is off again."
Trump's Criticism of UK Energy Policy
Trump used the opportunity to criticise the UK's energy policies, particularly the suspension of North Sea drilling licences. He claimed: "You have the greatest oil field in the world, one of them. It's called the North Sea Oil. All you have to do is bid it out to Exon, Chevron, Shell, British Petroleum. They're begging to go there and are willing to pay billions of dollars." He also reiterated his long-standing grudge against wind farms, citing the Scottish government's decision to erect turbines near his Aberdeen golf resort.
Reactions and Implications for US-UK Relations
The incident has raised questions about the future of the Special Relationship under a potential Burnham premiership. When asked if he would welcome Burnham as a visitor, Trump responded: "No. But I think we're of a different persuasion. He's very liberal." Social media users expressed embarrassment, with one commenting: "He never fails to embarrass us." The remarks highlight ongoing tensions between Trump and UK political figures, particularly over energy and immigration policies.
