Former Labour leader Ed Miliband avoided addressing his previous critical remarks about former US President Donald Trump during a meeting with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio. When directly asked whether he still considered Trump “an idiot, a racist and a misogynist,” Miliband declined to comment, instead focusing on the agenda of their discussions.
The talks, held in Washington on August 5, 2026, centered on key international issues including reopening the Strait of Hormuz, the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, and the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. Miliband underlined the importance of maintaining a strong UK-US alliance, emphasizing support for Ukraine in its conflict with Russia and the need to address the situation in Gaza. He highlighted that ensuring free navigation through the Strait of Hormuz—a crucial oil and gas shipping route currently disrupted due to tensions involving Iran—is vital to alleviating global cost-of-living pressures.
Miliband’s history of outspoken criticism of Trump has been well documented. During his tenure as Energy Secretary, he played a leading role in advancing the UK’s net-zero emissions strategy, which clashed with Trump’s advocacy for increased fossil fuel exploration and drilling, a stance that earned him the nickname “Ed Miliwatt” among some Washington observers. In 2017, Miliband publicly stated that Trump had “lowered the bar for idiocy” and took part in anti-Trump protests in London. He also criticized Trump’s relationship with Russia and asserted that the former president had diminished the standards of political discourse.
These past tensions have reportedly caused some unease among White House aides following Prime Minister Andy Burnham’s decision to appoint Miliband as Foreign Secretary. Supporters of Trump have cautioned that the former president does not easily forget personal or political slights. One ally of Trump remarked that Miliband faces a significant task in repairing diplomatic relations, suggesting that overcoming prior conflicts will be important for constructive engagement moving forward.
Despite the unresolved questions about his past comments, Miliband remained focused on broader diplomatic priorities during his talks with Secretary Rubio, underscoring the UK’s commitment to collaborative international efforts and regional stability amid multiple global crises.