Donald Trump has publicly praised British troops who served in Afghanistan after facing backlash for earlier comments suggesting NATO forces avoided front-line combat.
Earlier this week, Trump stirred controversy by downplaying the contributions of allied forces in the war and questioning whether NATO would support the U.S. if needed. His remarks drew sharp criticism from veterans, politicians, and international allies, with Sir Keir Starmer calling them “insulting and frankly appalling.”
The UK Prime Minister later spoke with Trump on Saturday, and following that conversation, the former president used his Truth Social platform to describe UK soldiers as “among the greatest of all warriors.”
Trump’s controversial statements had first emerged during a Thursday Fox News interview, in which he claimed: “We’ve never needed them. We have never really asked anything of them. They’ll say they sent some troops to Afghanistan… and they did, they stayed a little back, a little off the front lines.”
These comments prompted strong reactions from soldiers’ families, veterans, and politicians in both the UK and abroad, many of whom demanded an apology. Prince Harry emphasized that the sacrifices of troops must be honored, noting that NATO’s collective security clause had only been invoked once—in response to the 9/11 attacks.
The Afghanistan war, launched in October 2001 to remove the Taliban and target al-Qaeda operatives, saw contributions from NATO allies including the UK. By the time U.S. forces withdrew in 2021, over 3,500 coalition troops had died, with the UK suffering the second-highest number of fatalities after the United States.
Downing Street confirmed that the prime minister discussed the UK’s role with Trump, highlighting the bravery of British and American soldiers who fought side by side. A spokesperson said: “Many never returned home. We must never forget their sacrifice.”
Following the call, Trump’s Truth Social post softened his stance, though he stopped short of a formal apology. He wrote:
“The great and very brave soldiers of the United Kingdom will always be with the United States of America. In Afghanistan, 457 died, many were badly injured, and they were among the greatest of all warriors. It’s a bond too strong to ever be broken. The UK military, with tremendous heart and soul, is second to none (except for the USA). We love you all, and always will!”
Conservative MP Kemi Badenoch welcomed Trump’s acknowledgment, stating that the UK’s contribution should never have been questioned.
Veterans also shared their perspectives. Cpl Andy Reid, who lost both legs and an arm to an IED in Helmand—the site of the heaviest fighting—recalled the shared dangers alongside American troops: “If they were on the front line and I was stood next to them, clearly we were on the front line as well.” He added that nearly two decades later, the physical and mental scars of the conflict remain.
Prince Harry praised the commitment of NATO forces, reflecting on the lives lost and the enduring impact on families: “Thousands of lives were changed forever. Mothers and fathers buried sons and daughters. Children were left without a parent. Families carry the cost. Those sacrifices deserve to be spoken about truthfully and with respect.”
