Former US President Donald Trump criticized UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer during an Oval Office event on June 22, 2026, calling him 'a lovely man' but accusing him of mishandling Britain's energy policy. Trump claimed Starmer failed to exploit North Sea oil reserves and allowed 'windmills all over the place.'
Trump's remarks came after Starmer's resignation announcement earlier that day. Starmer had stated he would step down as Labour leader following internal party pressures and a series of by-election losses. The exact reasons for his resignation were not detailed in the event.
Trump's comments on UK energy policy are not new; he has previously criticized renewable energy initiatives. However, no specific data was provided during the event to support his claims about North Sea oil exploitation or the extent of wind turbine deployment in the UK.
The UK government has not officially responded to Trump's criticism as of June 23, 2026. Starmer's resignation is expected to trigger a leadership contest within the Labour Party.
