Donald Trump has renewed his criticism of Keir Starmer, weighing in on the controversy surrounding Peter Mandelson.
The US president said the prime minister had “acknowledged he exercised wrong judgment” in appointing the former Labour peer as the UK’s ambassador to Washington. Writing on Truth Social in the early hours of Tuesday, Trump added: “I agree, he was a really bad pick. Plenty of time to recover, however.”
The remarks mark one of the few occasions Trump has spoken publicly about Mandelson since he was dismissed from the diplomatic post last September over his connections to convicted paedophile Jeffrey Epstein.
Donald Trump’s Reaction To Mandelson Appointment Sparks Political Debate
Trump and Mandelson had initially appeared to strike up a cordial relationship, with the president once complimenting his “beautiful accent” during a meeting in the Oval Office. However, after Mandelson’s removal, Trump distanced himself, claiming he did not know him.
The latest intervention adds pressure to an already fraught situation for Starmer, who is facing mounting scrutiny over the appointment decision.
Security Clearance Concerns Deepen UK Political Crisis
The prime minister has come under intense political pressure following revelations that Mandelson was initially denied security clearance prior to his appointment as ambassador to the United States.
Addressing MPs on Monday, Starmer described it as “staggering” that Foreign Office officials had failed to inform him of the issue at the time.
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Meanwhile, senior civil servant Olly Robbins—who was dismissed after approving Mandelson’s appointment—is expected to present his account when he appears before the Commons Foreign Affairs Committee on Tuesday.
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