Trump Tells UK PM Starmer Chagos Islands Handover Is 'Big Mistake' Despite US State Department Support

President Trump posted on Truth Social that UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer is "making a big mistake" by proceeding with plans to hand over the Chagos Islands to Mauritius under a 100-year lease agreement. The statement directly contradicted the US State Department's support for the deal announced just 24 hours earlier. Trump claimed Starmer was "losing control of this important Island by claims of entities never known of before" and argued that leases are "no good when it comes to countries." He suggested the Diego Garcia military base on the islands might be needed for potential air strikes against Iran if nuclear deal negotiations fail. The post creates confusion about official US policy on the strategically important military installation jointly operated by the US and UK, with Trump publicly undermining his own administration's diplomatic position.

"I have been telling prime minister Keir Starmer, of the United Kingdom, that leases are no good when it comes to countries, and that he is making a big mistake by entering a 100 Year Lease." — Posted on Truth Social, contradicting US State Department support for the Chagos Islands handover deal announced 24 hours earlier