Trump Partially Walks Back NATO Afghanistan Critique, Praises U.K. Troops After Uproar
President Trump sparked an uproar after saying the U.S. had “never needed” NATO allies in Afghanistan and accusing allied troops of staying “a little off the front lines,” drawing criticism from European veterans, families of the fallen and U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who called the remarks “insulting” and “appalling.” After the backlash, Trump posted on Truth Social praising U.K. soldiers as “GREAT and very BRAVE,” noting 457 British deaths and the unbreakable U.S.–U.K. military bond, a point Starmer raised in a weekend phone call and one echoed by Prince Harry, who urged respectful acknowledgment of sacrifices.
📌 Key Facts
- President Trump said the U.S. had "never needed" its NATO allies in Afghanistan and accused allied troops of staying "a little off the front lines" during the 20‑year war.
- Those remarks provoked broad backlash from European military veterans, families of the fallen, politicians and governments, framing a controversy over alliance burden‑sharing and sacrifice.
- U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer publicly called Trump's comments "insulting" and "appalling," raised the issue with Trump in a weekend phone call, and emphasized the sacrifices of British and American troops who fought side by side — a government‑level rebuke.
- Trump later posted on Truth Social praising U.K. soldiers as "GREAT and very BRAVE," cited 457 British deaths in Afghanistan, and said the U.S.–U.K. military bond is "too strong to ever be broken."
- Prince Harry responded publicly that he served two tours in Afghanistan, made and lost friends there, and that those sacrifices deserve to be spoken about "truthfully and with respect."
- U.S. network television widely amplified the dispute, treating it as a distinct controversy over NATO burden‑sharing and the recognition of allied sacrifice in Afghanistan.
📰 Source Timeline (4)
Follow how coverage of this story developed over time
January 25, 2026
1:06 PM
Trump hails 'great and very brave' UK soldiers after slamming NATO allies' Afghanistan service
New information:
- Trump posted on Truth Social calling U.K. soldiers “GREAT and very BRAVE,” noting 457 British deaths in Afghanistan and describing the U.S.–U.K. military bond as “too strong to ever be broken.”
- U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s office says he raised Trump’s Afghanistan comments directly in a phone call over the weekend, emphasizing the sacrifice of British and American troops who fought side by side.
- Prince Harry publicly responded, saying he served two tours in Afghanistan, made and lost friends there, and that those sacrifices deserve to be spoken about “truthfully and with respect.”
January 24, 2026
1:26 AM
U.S. allies condemn Trump's comments about NATO's involvement in Afghanistan
New information:
- CBS segment reiterates that Trump claimed the U.S. had 'never needed' its NATO allies in Afghanistan and said allied troops stayed 'a little off the front lines' during the 20‑year war.
- It underscores that the backlash is coming from European military veterans, families of the fallen and politicians, not just governments or pundits.
- Confirms this framing is now being widely amplified on U.S. network television as a distinct controversy over alliance burden‑sharing and sacrifice in Afghanistan.
January 23, 2026
11:50 PM
News Wrap: Starmer calls Trump's comments on NATO troops in Afghanistan 'insulting'
New information:
- PBS notes British Prime Minister Keir Starmer personally called President Trump’s comments about NATO troops in Afghanistan 'insulting' and 'appalling' in public remarks.
- The segment places Starmer’s criticism explicitly in the context of broader allied anger, confirming this as a U.K. government–level rebuke rather than just commentary from veterans and ministers.