Trump hails Farage election success but stays silent on Starmer

Donald Trump has hailed Nigel Farage’s success in securing a Westminster seat but declined to say anything about Sir Keir Starmer, as world leaders reacted to Labour’s landslide win.

The former president posted his support for the Reform UK leader on Thursday night, shortly after Mr Farage claimed Clacton. It is the eighth time he has run for a seat in the Commons and the first time he has succeeded.

“Congratulations to Nigel Farage on his big WIN of a Parliament Seat Amid Reform UK Election Success,” he posted on his platform, Truth Social. “Nigel is a man who truly loves his country.”

Trump has long been a supporter of Mr Farage, who said he had been intending to campaign for the Republican nominee this autumn before announcing his intention to stand in the UK.

David Lammy, Sir Keir’s Foreign Secretary, has attempted to build ties with Trump’s campaign team in recent months, meeting Chris LaCivita, his senior adviser, in Washington in May and speaking on the phone with Trump allies in Congress.

Sir Keir has previously suggested he hopes Joe Biden wins November’s US presidential election.

Hillary Clinton said she hoped Sir Keir Starmer’s victory was an “omen” for America as leaders around the world reacted to Labour’s landslide victory. 

The former Democrat presidential candidate viewed the victory of the Left in Britain as a hopeful sign Donald Trump could be defeated across the Pacific. 

“Congratulations to Labour for a big victory in yesterday’s elections. Let’s hope it’s an omen and work to make it so,” she said. 

Joe Biden has yet to publicly congratulate Sir Keir as he faces mounting pressure to step aside as Democrat nominee for president. 

The New York Times declined to share Mrs Clinton’s enthusiasm, saying the “61-year-old former human rights lawyer lacks the star power of some of his predecessors” but did quote an analyst as saying he looks “relatively prime-ministerial”.