This evening’s instalment of GB News, hosted by Martin Daubney, was interrupted for a breaking news announcement after US President Donald Trump said the UK should be “more enthusiastic” about helping with the Strait of Hormuz. The world leader made the remarks during a press conference earlier today (Monday, March 16), where he also said he was “very surprised” with the UK’s attitude towards the ongoing Iran conflict.

Trump said he told Prime Minister Keir Starmer, “you’re our oldest ally”, and highlighted that he’s supported the UK’s efforts in Ukraine. While a breaking news banner flashed across the bottom of the screen for GB News viewers, Daubney said: “Donald Trump could have singled out any world leaders. Twice, he went for the United Kingdom there. It just leaves a feeling that Keir Starmer‘s relationship with Donald Trump is absolutely lying on the floor, bleeding out.”

The channel’s Political Editor, Christopher Hope, replied: “Yes, yes, it feels damaged. In that press conference today, I said on a scale of one to 10, with one being very bad, I asked the Prime Minister how would [he] characterise our relationship with Donald Trump. He wouldn’t answer.”

Hope went on to say: “It seems that Keir Starmer isn’t really seen by others as a leader as Donald Trump is. Donald Trump has much more power as the President of the United States.

“Keir Starmer is the first among the equals, but he is, of course, our Prime Minister… And Donald Trump thinks he looks weak, and that is very, very clear.”

The host replied: “People were saying over the weekend that nobody knows what Keir Starmer stands for – he doesn’t seem to know what he stands for himself.

“This today from Donald Trump is intermating this precise thing.”

Earlier today, Starmer shut down speculation that his government would support American requests to send ships to the Strait of Hormuz.

He said he’d resisted calls from Trump to send warships to unblock the key oil trade route, adding: “We want to make sure that that involves as many partners as possible, that’s been our stated directive here, particularly talking to European partners, inevitably talking to Gulf partners and to the US, because we need a credible, viable plan, if we can.”

GB News airs daily on Sky, Freeview and YouTube.