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Donald Trump is set to come to the Britain on Tuesday night amid harsh condemnation from Mayor of London Sadiq Khan, who stated Trump of fueling intolerant sentiments across the globe.

Pressure on Starmer’s Approach

Considered a open criticism to PM Keir Starmer’s government, Khan asserted that Trump’s military actions in US cities and treatment of minority groups followed methods straight out of an dictator’s manual.

Compounding the political pressure before the visit, a planned arrangement to eliminate import taxes on British aluminium and steel apparently fell through at the last minute.

Formal and Informal Events

Throughout the visit, Trump is expected to be hosted by royalty at Windsor Castle, with events including a guided visit, a military flypast, and a formal dinner. Talks with Prime Minister Starmer are scheduled for the following day at the prime minister’s retreat.

Although planned demonstrations targeting Trump, the itinerary is structured in a way that may prevent the president from witnessing them. Still, the state occasion carries significant potential backlash for Starmer, notably during the planned shared media appearance.

The Mayor’s Critical Remarks

Via a commentary, Khan highlighted that while preserving positive links with the US is strategic, the UK should not refrain from challenging a leader who, in his view, has encouraged of extremist far-right politics worldwide.

“This conduct goes beyond being inconsistent with liberal ideals – it is taken directly from the authoritarian’s handbook.”

Khan, who earlier clashed with Trump during his first state visit, also denounced the deployment of troops and expulsions without due process.

Call for Political Courage

The mayor asserted that the close ties between the UK and US requires honesty, even when it means offering criticism. He noted that the country must reject the politics of fear and social splitting.

Additionally, he blamed UK leaders and media outlets for ignoring growing hostility and discrimination, which he claimed contributed to a significant protest in London days earlier.

“These events we saw didn’t come from nowhere. For far too long, elected officials and pundits have refused to condemn the increase of hatred in this country.”

Adding further, “For our leaders, staying quiet is no longer enough. Now is the moment to speak out and state: this isn’t who we are.”

Ministers’ Comments

Prime Minister Starmer faced backlash for what some called a slow response to the weekend’s march, which involved a address from entrepreneur Elon Musk, who allegedly stated that “trouble is ahead” and egged on the crowd to “fight back.”

But, in more forceful remarks during a government gathering, Starmer stated that the UK faced “the fight of our times” against division.

Based on a recap of his address, Starmer told cabinet members that the assaults against law enforcement and a march led by a felon were not just shocking but also frightening to many people, particularly Black and Asian Britons.

Mixed Reactions within Government

Early reactions, Business Secretary Peter Kyle suggested that he was not alarmed by the scope of the demonstration or the messages expressed, arguing that it demonstrated that free speech and public gathering were alive and well in the UK.

However, an official source afterwards noted that while freedom of speech is a fundamental principle, citizens became scared by calls for aggression and hateful language.

Health Secretary Wes Streeting, in comments to an LGBT event, rejected the idea that rising racism and homophobia could be defended as free speech, labeling it “absurd.”

Streeting continued, voicing awareness for those who question if the administration is allying with them, and emphasizing that the recent demonstration did not embody the society the public wish to live in.