Rare occurrence: Donald Trump relativizes his own statements after criticism has arisen.Image: keystone
After outrage over his derogatory comments about NATO troops in Afghanistan, US President Donald Trump has praised the achievements of British soldiers.
January 25, 2026, 06:33January 25, 2026, 06:33
“The GREAT and very BRAVE soldiers of the United Kingdom will always stand with the United States of America!” he wrote on his Truth Social platform. In Afghanistan, 457 of them died and many were seriously wounded. “They were among the greatest fighters.”
With his controversial statements about NATO troops in Afghanistan, Trump caused outrage in Great Britain, but also in Poland, Italy and Germany. In an interview with Fox News, Trump claimed that the US never needed the defense alliance. Several other NATO countries sent troops to Afghanistan after the attacks on September 11, 2001 in the USA, but they remained “a little” behind, “a little away from the front lines”.
NATO allies react snubbed
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer criticized Trump’s comments as “insulting” and “appalling”. Other politicians and celebrities such as Prince Harry and Rod Stewart also called on the US President to pay respect to the sacrifices of America’s NATO allies in Afghanistan. Federal Defense Minister Boris Pistorius promised: “We will honor the commitment and courage of our soldiers in Afghanistan. It doesn’t matter who questions it. They are never forgotten.”
Trump now wrote on Truth Social that the bond with Great Britain is too strong to ever break. “The British military, with its mighty heart and soul, is the very best (except the USA, of course!).”
After the Islamist-motivated terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001 in the USA, the US government activated Article Five of the NATO Treaty in order to get support from its allies. This led to Germany and other NATO states such as Great Britain taking part in the war against the Taliban and the terrorist organization Al-Qaeda. It was the first and only time in NATO history that such an alliance case was declared. (sda/dpa)