Ben Leo has weighed in on the growing row between Donald Trump and Sir Keir Starmer, claiming the US President’s patience with the Prime Minister has run out.
The clash erupted after Mr Trump criticised Sir Keir’s handling of the escalating Iran conflict and his approach to allowing US forces to use British military bases.
During remarks at the White House, the US President delivered a sharp putdown of the Labour leader, declaring: “This is not Winston Churchill that we’re dealing with.”
The comment sparked a wave of political reaction, with the GB News presenter taking to social media platform X to share his own view on the deteriorating relationship between Washington and Westminster.
Ben Leo has hit out at Sir Keir
| GB NEWS“This is not Winston Churchill we're dealing with,” Ben wrote.
“Pres Trump played a good game for 13 months but his public pretence of actually liking Keir Starmer has come to an end.”
He continued: “Everyone knows the administration, for the most part, thinks Starmer is a liability.
“Polite time is over.”
The clash erupted after Trump criticised Sir Keir’s handling of the escalating Iran conflict
| KEIR STARMERIn a further post, The Late Show Live host listed a number of issues he believes have contributed to tensions between the Labour Government and the US administration.
“Labour campaign for Kamala in PA, calling Trump a neo Nazi, recognising Palestine as a state, jailing people for tweets, fining US companies under Online Safety Act, mass immigration, Greenland, Chagos, Iran,” he wrote.
“A calamitous performance by this Labour gov with the strongest superpower in the world.”
Ben's comments quickly prompted reactions from users on the platform, with some urging the presenter to raise concerns about the controversial Chagos Islands deal with the US President.
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"This is not Winston Churchill we're dealing with."
— Ben Leo (@benleo444) March 3, 2026
Pres Trump played a good game for 13 months but his public pretence of actually liking Keir Starmer has come to an end
Everyone knows the administration, for the most part, thinks Starmer is a liability.
Polite time is over
One user wrote: “Ben and @beverleyturner — please help to make clear to Trump that he can and must veto The Chagos Island betrayal!”
Responding, Ben suggested the matter had already been resolved.
“I think that’s already done and dusted,” he replied.
“It’s off.”
Other users also shared their views on the growing tensions between the UK and the US.
One person wrote: “He said about the UK and Spain, ‘They have ruined relationships.’ Great job Keir.”
Another commented: “Thank God Ben, it’s been a hard 13 months knowing that he can’t stand him but has to pretend.”
A third added: “Spot on Ben. Starmer has embarrassed the UK and I’m so glad @POTUS has called him out.”
Donald Trump
| TRUTH SOCIAL/DONALD TRUMPOthers suggested the strained relationship may be linked to past criticism of Trump by Labour figures.
One user wrote: “Starmer and his front bench slagged off Trump really badly and then they sucked up to him when he became president… I don’t think he forgot that.”
The diplomatic row intensified after Trump expressed “deep disappointment” with the UK following Sir Keir’s initial refusal to allow American bombers to launch strikes against Iran from the Diego Garcia military base.
Speaking about the decision, the President said it forced US aircraft to fly significantly longer distances.
Smoke rises from a fire, as the Israel-Iran air war continues, in Tehran, Iran | REUTERS“That island that you read about, the lease, for whatever reason, he made a lease of the island,” Mr Trump said.
“Somebody came and took it away from him, and it’s taken three, four days for us to work out where we can land.
“There would have been much more convenient landing there as opposed to flying many extra hours, so we are very surprised.”
The remarks have fuelled concerns among some political figures and commentators that the long-standing “special relationship” between the UK and the United States could face increasing strain.