Monday, January 26, 2026-President Donald Trump publicly praised British soldiers who fought in Afghanistan after widespread criticism of remarks he made suggesting that NATO troops stayed off the frontlines during the nearly two‑decade conflict.
Facing fierce backlash from British political leaders, veterans, and military families, Trump described the “great and very brave soldiers of the United Kingdom” as “among the greatest of all warriors” and reaffirmed the tight bond between U.S. and UK forces. He said the UK military’s contribution including the 457 British service members who died in Afghanistan was “second to none (except for the USA)” and vowed that “we love you all, and always will.”
The praise came shortly after Trump’s controversial remarks on NATO in an interview, where he said the United States had “never needed” the alliance and implied allied troops had not played a frontline role in Afghanistan, sparking condemnation from senior figures in the UK.
British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer called the remarks “insulting and frankly appalling,” stressing the shared sacrifices of British and American forces, and raised the issue directly with Trump in a call. Other voices, including Prince Harry who served in Afghanistan said the sacrifices of British and NATO troops “deserve to be spoken about truthfully and with respect,” highlighting the human cost of the alliance’s longest war.
Despite the U‑turn in tone toward British forces, Trump stopped short of apologizing for the original comments and did not explicitly acknowledge the role of other NATO allies. Diplomatic frustration remains, with critics saying his remarks undermined allied solidarity and risked straining transatlantic relations already sensitive due to broader disagreements over NATO’s mission and burden‑sharing.
Many argue that while the social media praise eased some immediate tensions, the underlying dispute over the value and recognition of allied contributions has not fully been resolved.
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