Sky News halted their live coverage as they delivered an update following an interview with Donald Trump. US correpsondent Mark Stone interviewed President Trump overnight on the telephone as they discussed several topics from the Iran war, to Sir Keir Starmer and King Charles.
Sophie Ridge and Wilfred Frost paused their breakfast show on Wednesday as they spoke with the Sky News correspondent, as Stone delivered the president’s “scathing” verdict on the US and UK’s special relationship, admitting it is in a “sad state”. Trump commented, “It’s sad… and we gave them a good trade deal. Better than I had to. Which can always be changed”.
Stone said: “His assessment of the British government, of Keir Starmer, of Britain’s policies when it comes to immigration, when it comes to energy, were really quite surprising. Almost in the same sentence, he was saying how much he loved the King. How much he loved the Royal Family and how much he was looking forward to the King’s state visit.”
The US correspondent spoke with the US president for five minutes.
Stone went on to claim Trump issued a veiled threat to Starmer during their chat.
He explained: “On the special relationship, Trump said, ‘Well, it’s been better, but it’s a sad and we gave them [UK] a good trade deal. Better than I had to. Which can always be changed.'”
“I think that’s very, very interesting. A threat there. Hardly veiled from the president. The deal could change,” Stone mused.
Trump also told the Sky News correspondent that Starmer made a “tragic mistake” closing the North Sea oil rig.
The president remarked: “I like Starmer, but I think he’s made a tragic mistake in closing the North Sea oil. You see your energy prices are the highest in the world.
And I think he’s made a tragic mistake on immigration.”
Trump claimed the UK is being “invaded by illegal immigrants from all over the world”.
His comments come as the UK government says the Iran war energy shock shows the need “to get off the fossil fuel rollercoaster.”
Oil and gas prices have surged since the US-Israel war with Iran began.
