Former White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt has revealed that President Trump privately criticised Sir Keir Starmer's government policies during a state visit to the UK last year. According to Leavitt, Trump used blunt language during a lunch at Chequers, characterising the then Prime Minister's immigration and border policies as "stupid" and suggesting that British people opposed them. The revelation underscores the behind-the-scenes tensions that accompanied Trump's public criticism of the UK government, particularly regarding its approach to immigration and international relations.

Trump's private criticism extended to Starmer's stance on Russia, which he viewed as overly harsh. Following Starmer's departure from office, Trump has since met with his successor Andy Burnham at the United Nations General Assembly, where they held a 40-minute discussion covering trade, energy and immigration. Trump stated that relations between the two countries are now "more up" with Burnham in charge, although significant differences remain between the administrations on matters including artificial intelligence regulation and the proposed transfer of Chagos Islands sovereignty, which includes the strategically important Diego Garcia military base.