Trump claims Starmer 'will resign' as UK PM; minister dismisses reports
Donald Trump posted on Truth Social that UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer 'will resign,' citing failures on immigration and energy. British ministers immediately rejected the reports, which surfaced in The Observer.
Trump’s intervention
US president Donald Trump waded into UK domestic politics on Sunday, writing on Truth Social that Keir Starmer 'will resign from the position of Prime Minister of the United Kingdom.' Trump claimed Starmer had 'failed miserably on two very important issues: immigration and energy' and urged London to 'open up oil extraction in the North Sea.' The post ended with 'I wish him every success.'
Keir Starmer will resign from the position of Prime Minister of the United Kingdom. He has failed miserably on two very important issues: immigration and energy (GO AHEAD WITH OIL EXTRACTION IN THE NORTH SEA!). I wish him every success!
Political turmoil in London
The presidential outburst came as the British press reported that Starmer was considering announcing his departure. According to The Observer, the prime minister had concluded his position was no longer tenable after talks with cabinet ministers, advisers, funders and trade union leaders. The newspaper said an announcement could come as early as Monday 22 June.
- Starmer says he will 'confront and fight any challenge' to his leadership.
- The Observer reports Starmer may announce resignation intention on Monday.
- Business Secretary Peter Kyle dismisses resignation reports on Sky News.
- Donald Trump posts on Truth Social claiming Starmer 'will resign' and calling for North Sea oil drilling.
Meanwhile, Sky News reported that Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper had asked Starmer to resign. The Labour leader had spent the weekend at the Chequers country retreat, where sources said he discussed the matter with his wife before making a final decision.
Denial and speculation
Senior Labour figures moved to quash the speculation. Business and Trade Secretary Peter Kyle told Sky News on Sunday morning that he had 'no reason to believe those [reports] are true,' adding that 'a lot of rumour is flying around out there.'
I have no reason to believe those are true.
Kyle’s denial echoed Starmer’s own stance from Friday, when the prime minister said he would 'confront and fight any challenge' to his leadership. Downing Street has not issued any official confirmation of a resignation intention.
What’s next
The political temperature is expected to rise on Monday, with top Labour figures anticipating a clear statement on Starmer’s future. The episode has already strained the London–Washington relationship, as analysts watch how the internal Labour drama might affect UK foreign policy.
