Trump Accuses Starmer of 'Losing Control' in Blistering Chagos Islands Attack
Former US President Donald Trump has unleashed a fierce verbal assault on UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, accusing him of making a 'big mistake' and 'losing control' of the strategic Chagos Islands in a deal with Mauritius.
Diego Garcia Airfield at Heart of Controversy
Trump's remarks, posted on his Truth Social platform, appear centred on concerns over the future of the US military airfield on Diego Garcia, a key island in the Chagos archipelago. He claimed Starmer is entering a '100 Year Lease' with entities he described as 'fictitious in nature', potentially jeopardising US-UK security interests.
'Prime Minister Starmer is losing control of this important Island by claims of entities never known of before,' Trump stated, adding that the land 'should not be taken away from the U.K.' and warning it would be 'a blight on our Great Ally'.
Security Warnings and 'Wokeism' Comments
The former president framed the issue as a critical national security matter, suggesting Diego Garcia might be needed if Iran 'decide not to make a Deal', requiring the US to use the base 'to eradicate a potential attack'.
Trump also directed a message to the British public, urging them to 'remain strong in the face of Wokeism, and other problems put before them'. His comments came just one day after the US State Department reportedly indicated support for the UK's decision regarding the agreement, making his intervention particularly unexpected.
Political Reactions in the UK
The controversy quickly drew responses from Starmer's political opponents. Reform UK MP Richard Tice publicly backed Trump's stance, simply stating: 'NO SURRENDER OF CHAGOS'.
Trump's lengthy social media post concluded with an emphatic warning: 'DO NOT GIVE AWAY DIEGO GARCIA!' The former president emphasised the longstanding US-UK relationship but insisted Britain must maintain control of the strategically located territory in the Indian Ocean.
