Donald Trump reposted a comedy skit showing a panicked Keir Starmer dodging his call, amid ongoing tensions over UK support in the Middle East war.
LONDON: US President Donald Trump shared a video on his Truth Social network mocking British Prime Minister Keir Starmer. The clip, from the premiere of the British version of Saturday Night Live, depicts a terrified Starmer hoping to avoid a phone call with the American leader.
In the skit, an actor playing Starmer panics inside 10 Downing Street. He turns to a fictional deputy prime minister and says, “What if Donald shouts at me?”
When a call from Trump connects, Starmer immediately hangs up. He then asks why it is so difficult to talk to “that scary, scary, wonderful president”.
The fictional David Lammy advises Starmer to be honest. “Sir, just be honest and tell him we can’t send any more ships to the Strait of Hormuz,” Lammy says.
Starmer replies, “I just want to keep him happy, Lammy. You don’t understand him like I do — I can change him.” Trump posted the video without any additional comment.
The US leader has repeatedly criticised Starmer since the start of the Middle East war. He has accused the British prime minister of not providing sufficient support to the United States.
“This is not Winston Churchill that we’re dealing with,” Trump said earlier this month. The comment came after Starmer initially declined a US request to use UK bases for strikes against Iran.
Trump has also expressed personal disappointment. “I’m disappointed with Keir,” he said, slamming what he called Starmer’s “big mistake”.
The US president added, “I like him, I think he’s a nice man, but I’m disappointed.” The Strait of Hormuz, referenced in the skit, is a vital shipping lane that has been effectively blocked by Iran.