Trump Says U.S. 'Never Needed' NATO in Afghanistan, Drawing Condemnation From European Allies and Veterans
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. His remarks drew sharp rebukes from European leaders and veterans — including British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who called the comments "insulting" and "appalling" — as well as families of the fallen and politicians, and have been widely highlighted on U.S. network television as a controversy over alliance burden‑sharing and sacrifice.
đź“Ś Key Facts
- President Trump said the U.S. had "never needed" its NATO allies in Afghanistan and claimed allied troops stayed "a little off the front lines" during the 20-year war.
- British Prime Minister Keir Starmer publicly called Trump’s remarks "insulting" and "appalling," presenting the response as a U.K. government–level rebuke.
- The comments drew broad condemnation from European political leaders as well as military veterans and families of the fallen, not just pundits or isolated officials.
- U.S. network television coverage (including CBS and PBS) has widely amplified the controversy, bringing it to mainstream U.S. audiences.
- Reporting frames the dispute as a distinct controversy over NATO burden-sharing and the perception of allied sacrifice in Afghanistan, reflecting broader allied anger.
đź“° Source Timeline (3)
Follow how coverage of this story developed over time
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.