Trump & Keir Starmer: SNL Skit Shows UK PM Avoiding US President’s Call
US President Donald Trump shared a clip from the British debut of Saturday Night Live on his Truth Social platform Sunday, a skit mocking Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s perceived reluctance to confront the American leader over policy disagreements. The video, which aired Saturday on Sky One, depicts a panicked Starmer attempting to avoid a phone call from Trump as tensions escalate over the blocked Strait of Hormuz.
The sketch opens with a view of 10 Downing Street, cutting to a scene where Starmer, played by George Fouracres, expresses anxiety to his deputy, David Lammy (Hammed Animashaun). “Oh golly – what if Donald shouts at me? What do I say, Lammy?” Starmer asks. Lammy responds with a suggestion to simply “be yourself,” adding, “Yourself is who everyone likes.” When a voice mimicking Trump says “hello” on the phone, Starmer immediately hangs up, lamenting, “Oh sod that scary, scary, wonderful President. Why is he so bloody difficult to talk to?”
The skit directly references the ongoing dispute over shipping lanes in the Strait of Hormuz, which Iran has effectively blocked following recent US and Israeli military actions in the region. Lammy advises Starmer to be frank with Trump, stating, “Sir, just be honest and tell him we can’t send any more ships to the Strait of Hormuz.” Starmer replies, “I just hate conflict so much….”
Trump’s decision to share the clip, without any accompanying commentary, comes amid a visible strain in the relationship between the US President and the UK Prime Minister. Earlier this month, Trump publicly criticized the UK and other NATO allies as “cowards” for their perceived inaction regarding the Strait of Hormuz, according to The Independent. He also questioned Starmer’s leadership qualities, stating he was “not Winston Churchill” after the Prime Minister initially hesitated to allow the US to use UK bases for potential strikes against Iran.
The situation shifted on Friday, when Downing Street granted the US permission to launch attacks on Iranian sites targeting the strait, a move that appeared to appease Washington. However, the Saturday Night Live skit suggests lingering anxieties within the UK government regarding direct engagement with the Trump administration. The timing of Trump’s post, following the granting of access to UK bases, raises questions about whether the gesture was sufficient to fully restore the previously close relationship between the two leaders.
The premiere of Saturday Night Live UK, adapted from the long-running American show, signals a modern approach to political satire in British television. The show’s debut episode featured a number of sketches targeting current political figures, with the Trump-Starmer interaction quickly becoming a focal point of discussion. As reported by LBC, Trump did not add any comment when sharing the clip on his Truth Social platform.
The incident underscores the complex dynamic between the US and the UK as they navigate the escalating tensions in the Middle East. While the UK has ultimately yielded to US demands regarding the use of its military facilities, the satirical portrayal of Starmer’s apprehension highlights the underlying discomfort with Trump’s assertive foreign policy and unpredictable communication style.