Trump calls UK's Starmer "lovely man" but criticises his energy, immigration policy

At an Oval Office press briefing, US President Donald Trump reacted to the announced resignation of UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, criticising Britain’s energy and immigration policies and commenting on their political impact.

Responding to a question from the BBC’s Bernd Debusmann about Starmer’s resignation and potential successors, Trump said the outgoing prime minister had “two problems, energy and immigration.”

"I think he’s a lovely man," Trump told reporters at an Oval Office event, before accusing Starmer of mishandling Britain's energy policy by failing to exploit North Sea oil and allowing "windmills all over the place."

"The UK buys much of its energy. You know where? Norway. You know where they get their oil? The North Sea," Trump said. "The UK has a much better portion of the North Sea -- they don't want to do it for environmental purposes."

Trump, who had predicted Starmer's departure in a Truth Social post, said the British leader was "sort of a friend of mine" but had not been supportive enough of the United States on NATO and the Iran war.

By Sabina Mammadli