Zadie Smith’s brother Ben says author left America to avoid ‘racist idiot’ Trump

Actor said sister has moved back to London in midst of ‘racial, cultural revolution’

Zadie Smith decided to leave her home in America and return to London because of “racist idiot” Donald Trump, the author’s brother has claimed.

Speaking on the My Mate Bought a Toaster podcast, Ben Bailey Smith revealed Zadie is leaving New York after having lived there for at least 10 years.

On her reasons for moving back to the UK, Ben said: “If you think about it, if you’re a black person, living in corona time New York, in the midst of what looks like perhaps a revolution - a racial, cultural revolution – underneath a mentally-challenged, racist idiot of a president, it might be time to up sticks, you know?"

Zadie has previously been publicly critical of Trump, saying in 2016 that he is “reminiscent of a 6-year-old child,” with “no culpability ever”. She also said he is “never guilty”, “fact-free” and “always in the right to the point of insanity”.

The author recently released Intimations, a collection of essays written in lockdown.

Ben Bailey Smith at St Mungo's 'No Laughing Matter' at the O2 Shepherd's Bush Empire, London, UK in 2019 (Rex)

Ben can next be seen in the ITV drama Des alongside David Tennant and Daniel Mays.