Transatlantic relations descended further into acrimony on Wednesday after President Donald Trump staged a theatrical impersonation of Sir Keir Starmer during a White House lunch, ridiculing the Prime Minister’s refusal to deploy Britain’s “two, old, broken down aircraft carriers” to the Strait of Hormuz.
The extraordinary performance, filmed and uploaded by the White House, saw Mr Trump adopt what journalist Bryan Metzger described as a “weak-sounding voice” to mimic the British leader declining American requests for naval assistance reopening the strategic waterway carrying 20 per cent of global oil supplies.
According to the President’s account, he asked whether Britain could dispatch its carriers to help lift Iran’s blockade, prompting Sir Keir to respond: “Ohhh I’ll have to ask my team.”
Mr Trump recounted telling the Prime Minister he possessed executive authority to act independently, only to receive the reply: “No, no, no, I have to ask my team. My team has to meet, we’re meeting next week.”
The President told his audience: “But the war already started. Next week the war’s going to be over…in three days, my prediction.”
Mr Trump drew unfavourable comparison between Sir Keir and King Charles, who is scheduled for a Washington state visit later this month. “The King is coming over here in two weeks, he’s a nice guy, King Charles. (Britain) should be our best but they weren’t our best,” the President stated.
The mockery reflects weeks of mounting American frustration over Britain’s limited engagement since hostilities commenced on 28 February, with Sir Keir initially refusing even to permit US aircraft utilising British bases for Iranian sorties before reversing that position whilst maintaining refusal to contribute combat forces.
Sir Keir reiterated his stance on Thursday, declaring: “This is not our war. We will not be drawn into the conflict.” Instead of capitulating to Mr Trump’s demands, the Prime Minister convened 35 nations seeking diplomatic solutions to end the campaign.
Britain signed a statement alongside France, Germany, Italy, Japan and the Netherlands expressing willingness to “contribute to appropriate efforts to ensure safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz”—carefully worded language avoiding commitment to military action Mr Trump seeks.
The Strait’s closure since late February has triggered petroleum price spikes with analysts warning of potential oil shocks exceeding the 1970s crisis.
Mr Trump’s lunch performance also targeted French President Emmanuel Macron, claiming he remained “still recovering from the right to the jaw” whilst alleging Brigitte Macron “treats him extremely badly”—referencing May 2025 Vietnam footage appearing to show the French first lady pushing her husband’s face before disembarking from their aircraft.
Mr Macron responded acidly: “Trump talks too much. His remarks are neither elegant nor up to the standard.”
