Trump Praises British Troops After Backlash Over Remarks Downplaying NATO’s Role In Afghanistan
US President Donald Trump on Saturday issued a public tribute to British troops who fought in Afghanistan, following mounting international criticism over comments in which he appeared to downplay the role and sacrifices of NATO forces in the two-decade conflict.
In a post on his Truth Social platform, Trump praised the UK military, describing British soldiers as “great and very brave,” and acknowledged the loss of 457 British troops during the war.
“In Afghanistan, 457 died, many were badly injured, and they were among the greatest of all warriors,” Trump wrote. “It’s a bond too strong to ever be broken.”
The statement came after widespread outrage sparked by remarks Trump made earlier in the week, in which he minimized NATO’s contribution to the Afghanistan mission, suggesting allied forces “stayed a little back” from frontline combat.
The comments strained relations within the alliance and drew criticism from multiple NATO partners, including the United Kingdom, Italy and Denmark, at a time of heightened diplomatic tension following Trump’s recent threats to seize Greenland, an autonomous territory of NATO member Denmark.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer described Trump’s remarks as “insulting and frankly appalling,” while Prince Harry, who served two tours in Afghanistan, said NATO sacrifices must be discussed “truthfully and with respect.”
Starmer later raised the issue during a phone call with Trump on Saturday, according to a Downing Street spokesperson, with both leaders acknowledging the “brave and heroic British and American soldiers who fought side by side in Afghanistan.”
Reports also indicated that King Charles III conveyed concerns to the White House, though Buckingham Palace declined to comment publicly.
After the September 11 attacks, the United States became the only NATO member to invoke Article 5, triggering a collective defence response that saw allied troops deploy alongside US forces in Afghanistan for nearly 20 years.
Despite the backlash, the White House initially defended Trump’s comments, with officials reiterating that the United States bore the largest share of NATO’s military burden.
Trump’s praise of British forces, however, made no reference to other NATO countries that also suffered significant casualties during the conflict, including Canada, Italy, Denmark and Germany.
The episode underscores growing unease among US allies over Trump’s approach to NATO, alliance solidarity and transatlantic relations, even as both Washington and London reaffirm the enduring strength of the UK–US partnership.