Trump Retreats on Afghanistan Remarks, Hails UK Troops as ‘Very Brave’ After Backlash
Former U.S. president reverses course to praise British soldiers following intense criticism from UK leaders, veterans and royal figures
Former U.S. President Donald Trump has publicly praised British soldiers who fought in Afghanistan, characterising them as “among the greatest of all warriors,” in a notable softening of his stance after widespread condemnation of earlier remarks about allied forces.
Trump’s revised comments were posted on his social platform, where he lauded the ‘‘great and very brave’’ service of United Kingdom troops and reaffirmed the enduring strength of the military bond between the United States and Britain.
“In Afghanistan, 457 died, many were badly injured, and they were among the greatest of all warriors,” he wrote, adding that the ‘‘bond’’ between the two militaries ‘‘is too strong to ever be broken’’ and that the U.K. military ‘‘with tremendous heart and soul, is second to none (except for the U.S.A.)’’.
The change of tone follows intense criticism of Trump’s earlier comments at the World Economic Forum, where he suggested that NATO allies’ forces had ‘‘stayed a little back, a little off the frontlines’’ during the Afghanistan conflict — remarks that prompted swift rebukes from British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, current and former military figures and veteran groups.
Sir Keir rebuked the description as ‘‘insulting and frankly appalling,’’ emphasising the sacrifice of the 457 British personnel who died and those left with lifelong injuries serving alongside U.S. forces.
Prince Harry, who served on two tours in Afghanistan, also weighed in, stressing that the sacrifices of British troops ‘‘deserve to be spoken about truthfully and with respect’’ and noting the deep human cost of the conflict.
The initial backlash was not limited to political leaders.
NATO veterans and service personnel from the UK, Canada and other allied nations voiced strong objections, arguing that Trump’s comments undermined the shared sacrifices of coalition partners.
Many highlighted that NATO’s mutual-defence clause was invoked following the September 11 attacks, drawing numerous allied nations into the mission and resulting in significant casualties and injuries across the coalition.
Downing Street confirmed that the British prime minister had directly raised the issue with Trump in a phone conversation, underlining the importance of acknowledging the ‘‘brave and heroic’’ contributions of British and American soldiers who fought side by side.
While Trump’s subsequent praise stopped short of a formal apology for his original assertions, it was welcomed by some British political figures as a constructive step toward addressing the diplomatic tensions that had arisen.
Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch expressed relief that Trump had ‘‘acknowledged the role of the British armed forces and those brave men and women who gave their lives’’ fighting alongside U.S. troops.
The episode has highlighted the sensitivity surrounding public statements about allied military contributions and the enduring importance placed on mutual respect among longstanding defence partners.
Trump’s revised comments were posted on his social platform, where he lauded the ‘‘great and very brave’’ service of United Kingdom troops and reaffirmed the enduring strength of the military bond between the United States and Britain.
“In Afghanistan, 457 died, many were badly injured, and they were among the greatest of all warriors,” he wrote, adding that the ‘‘bond’’ between the two militaries ‘‘is too strong to ever be broken’’ and that the U.K. military ‘‘with tremendous heart and soul, is second to none (except for the U.S.A.)’’.
The change of tone follows intense criticism of Trump’s earlier comments at the World Economic Forum, where he suggested that NATO allies’ forces had ‘‘stayed a little back, a little off the frontlines’’ during the Afghanistan conflict — remarks that prompted swift rebukes from British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, current and former military figures and veteran groups.
Sir Keir rebuked the description as ‘‘insulting and frankly appalling,’’ emphasising the sacrifice of the 457 British personnel who died and those left with lifelong injuries serving alongside U.S. forces.
Prince Harry, who served on two tours in Afghanistan, also weighed in, stressing that the sacrifices of British troops ‘‘deserve to be spoken about truthfully and with respect’’ and noting the deep human cost of the conflict.
The initial backlash was not limited to political leaders.
NATO veterans and service personnel from the UK, Canada and other allied nations voiced strong objections, arguing that Trump’s comments undermined the shared sacrifices of coalition partners.
Many highlighted that NATO’s mutual-defence clause was invoked following the September 11 attacks, drawing numerous allied nations into the mission and resulting in significant casualties and injuries across the coalition.
Downing Street confirmed that the British prime minister had directly raised the issue with Trump in a phone conversation, underlining the importance of acknowledging the ‘‘brave and heroic’’ contributions of British and American soldiers who fought side by side.
While Trump’s subsequent praise stopped short of a formal apology for his original assertions, it was welcomed by some British political figures as a constructive step toward addressing the diplomatic tensions that had arisen.
Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch expressed relief that Trump had ‘‘acknowledged the role of the British armed forces and those brave men and women who gave their lives’’ fighting alongside U.S. troops.
The episode has highlighted the sensitivity surrounding public statements about allied military contributions and the enduring importance placed on mutual respect among longstanding defence partners.
