U.S. Ambassador to the U.K. Warren Stephens downplayed past critical remarks about Donald Trump made by Britain's new Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband, suggesting Miliband's views may have evolved since 2016.
The comments highlight the diplomatic challenges and potential awkwardness arising from past political rhetoric when individuals move into high-profile government roles, particularly in the context of international relations between key allies.
U.S. Ambassador to the U.K. Warren Stephens on Wednesday downplayed past criticisms of Donald Trump made by Britain's new Foreign Secretary, Ed Miliband. Miliband, who assumed his role on Monday under Prime Minister Andy Burnham, had previously described Trump as a "racist, misogynistic self-confessed groper" following his 2016 election victory and later stated the U.S. president had "lowered the bar for idiocy."
Speaking to Sky News, Stephens suggested that Miliband's views might have evolved. "Those were some time ago, I think, and, hopefully, his views have changed," Stephens said. When pressed on Miliband's ability to work with U.S. counterparts, Stephens commented, "People were people. People’s view of President Trump in 2016 is probably a lot different than it is … now."
Stephens acknowledged that he himself had made remarks in the past that he later questioned. Miliband, when previously questioned about his comments after Trump's second election victory in 2024, called them "irrelevant," stating he did not believe Trump was reading his tweets. The article also noted that Miliband's predecessor-but-one, David Lammy, also had a history of critical tweets about Trump before taking office, though he had a friendship with U.S. Vice President JD Vance.