British Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch has strongly criticized former U.S. President Donald Trump, stating that his midterm election losses were "entirely self-inflicted." Badenoch, who previously described Trump as "wonderful" in 2025, now asserts that voters prioritize results and that Trump failed to meet the standards of a statesman.
In an interview on The Talk Show, Badenoch pointed to Trump's policies and actions, including the Iran war, trade tariffs, and his rhetoric towards Canada and Greenland, as reasons for his electoral setbacks. She argued that Trump's "America first" approach and disputes with allies were not characteristic of conservative principles. Badenoch also criticized his treatment of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and his critical remarks about British politician Keir Starmer.
"He has not been acting in the way that I would consider conservative," Badenoch said, questioning the push for free markets and trade rule enforcement over protectionism. She emphasized that the "special relationship" is with the United States, not an individual.
The comments come in the wake of significant Democratic victories in the U.S. midterm elections, leading to Democratic majorities in both the House and Senate. The outcome has reportedly created uncertainty in Iran, with the country's supreme leader commenting that the "process of the U.S.'s collapse has accelerated."
Badenoch also addressed domestic political matters, criticizing past Conservative governments for "gimmicks, mistakes and short-termism." She questioned Reform UK leader Nigel Farage's explanation of a significant cryptocurrency donation and stated she would not serve in a government with him as prime minister, calling some of his party's proposals "bonkers."
Additionally, Badenoch defended her use of the word "spiteful" to describe Bridget Phillipson's policy on VAT for private school fees, arguing that the policy had negatively impacted children and represented "class war."