Trump Praises U.K. Soldiers After NATO Remarks Spark Outrage
Trump wrote on Truth Social on Jan. 19, 2025, praising U.K. troops and citing 457 British deaths after his Fox Business remarks drew U.K. rebukes.
FOX NewsTrump hails 'great and very brave' UK soldiers after slamming NATO allies' Afghanistan service
FOX NewsTrump hails 'great and very brave' UK soldiers after slamming NATO allies' Afghanistan service
NBC NewsTrump praises U.K. troops after backlash over NATO front line remarks
CNNTrump praises British troops after drawing outrage at comments downplaying NATO’s role in Afghanistan
Overview
President Donald Trump wrote on Truth Social on Jan. 19, 2025, that "the GREAT and very BRAVE soldiers of the United Kingdom" will always stand with the United States, citing 457 British deaths in Afghanistan, officials confirmed.
In a Jan. 19, 2025 Fox Business interview in Davos, Switzerland, Trump said NATO troops "stayed a little back, little off the front lines," remarks Prime Minister Keir Starmer called "insulting and frankly appalling," Downing Street said.
Prince Harry, who served two tours in Afghanistan, said in a televised statement that the "sacrifices" of British soldiers "deserve to be spoken about truthfully and with respect," his office said.
More than 150,000 British personnel served in Afghanistan, 457 were killed and coalition defense records show 3,621 coalition deaths, officials and defense records show.
Downing Street said Prime Minister Keir Starmer raised the matter with President Donald Trump during a phone call and that the leaders agreed to speak again, officials confirmed.
Analysis
Center-leaning sources frame the story as a diplomatic gaffe prompting widespread backlash, using corrective facts and critical language to challenge Trump's claims. They foreground reactions from veterans, political leaders and royal figures, emphasize casualty statistics and NATO's Article 5, and structure coverage to spotlight criticism and Trump's partial, non-apologetic backtrack.