The United Kingdom's new foreign secretary, Ed Miliband, faced questions about his past criticism of former US President Donald Trump during talks in Washington, D.C. on Thursday, August 6th, 2026. Miliband, who had previously called Trump an “idiot, a racist and a misogynist,” ignored reporters’ shouted inquiries on whether he still held those views as he met with US top diplomat Marco Rubio at the US State Department.

Miliband was invited to Washington by Rubio following their initial meeting at a foreign ministers’ summit in the Philippines the previous month. The two diplomats were scheduled to discuss key international issues including efforts to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, the ongoing war in Ukraine, and the situation in Gaza.

Smiling and shaking hands with Rubio, Miliband declined to comment on his earlier remarks about Trump, instead stating, “We are looking forward to our meeting.”

The interaction between Miliband and Rubio is being closely observed, especially as reports indicate the White House harbors concerns about UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham’s decision to appoint Miliband to the Foreign Office.

Sources