Donald Trump backs Nigel Farage over 'establishment hit job' as probe delayed for months

Donald Trump has appeared to indicate his backing for Nigel Farage after the Reform UK leader labelled an investigation into his financial support an "establishment hit job".

The US President, who first became friends with the Reform UK leader in 2016, shared an article on his social media platform Truth Social titled "They're Running the 2024 Anti-Trump Playbook on Nigel Farage".

Mr Trump was seemingly referring to a parliamentary probe into Mr Farage over allegations the Reform UK leader did not correctly report £5billion worth of donations from the cryptocurrency tycoon Christopher Harborne ahead of the 2024 General Election.

The investigation, which is now not expected to conclude until at least September, could lead to Mr Farage being suspended from the House of Commons and even a by-election in his Clacton constituency.

Standards commissioner Daniel Greenberg opened his investigation in May.

Mr Farage faces a second investigation over undeclared donations by George Cottrell, a close associate of the Reform UK leader who was previously convicted of wire fraud in the US.

The Clacton MP insists the probes form part of an "establishment hit job", adding: "I have done no wrongdoing and followed the rules."

Mr Farage continued: "It’s now clear the establishment will stop at nothing to hurt Reform – we want to smash their cosy consensus."

Mr Trump's apparent support for Mr Farage comes after months of speculation about their relationship deteriorating.

However, Mr Trump is said to have had a personal phone call with Mr Farage to congratulate him as Sir Keir Starmer was on the brink of resigning as Prime Minister.

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