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 6, 2026. Miliband, who was invited by US Senator Marco Rubio following their initial meeting at a foreign ministers’ summit in the Philippines, met with Rubio at the US State Department.

Reporters shouted inquiries about whether Miliband still considered Trump an “idiot, a racist and a misogynist,” but Miliband avoided responding directly. Instead, he smiled, shook hands with Rubio, and said, “We are looking forward to our meeting.”

The discussions between Miliband and Rubio were expected to cover efforts to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, the ongoing war in Ukraine, and the situation in Gaza.

Observers noted that the dynamic between Miliband and Rubio will be closely watched, especially as the White House reportedly expressed concern over UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham’s decision to appoint Miliband as foreign secretary.

Sources