Trump hails 'great and very brave' UK soldiers after slamming NATO allies' Afghanistan service

Donald Trump

Trump hails 'great and very brave' UK soldiers after slamming NATO allies' Afghanistan service

Trump's praise for British military follows backlash over his previous Afghanistan comments

Anders Hagstrom Fox News

Published

January 25, 2026 8:06am EST

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President Donald Trump praised the soldiers of the United Kingdom who served alongside the U.S. in Afghanistan on Saturday, clarifying his previous criticism of NATO allies.

Trump had earlier criticized NATO troops who served in Afghanistan, arguing they had stayed "a little bit back" from the frontlines during the conflict. His statement was met with outrage in the U.K., however, where Prime Minister Kier Starmer called it "insulting and frankly, appalling."

"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," Trump wrote on Truth Social.

"It’s a bond too strong to ever be broken. The U.K. Military, with tremendous Heart and Soul, is second to none (except for the U.S.A.!). We love you all, and always will!" he continued.

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U.S. President Donald Trump talks at a press conference with UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer at Chequers at the conclusion of a state visit on September 18, 2025 in Aylesbury, England. (Leon Neal/Getty Images)

The social media post partially walks back his previous criticism of NATO, made during an interview on Fox Business.

"We have never really asked anything of them," he said. "You know, they’ll say they sent some troops to Afghanistan or this or that, and they did. They stayed a little back, little off the front lines."

Starmer's office says the prime minister raised the issue with Trump during a phone call this weekend.

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British Prime Minister Keir Starmer condemned Trump's comments about NATO troops in Afghanistan. (Andy Buchanan, Pool Photo via AP)

"The Prime Minister raised the brave and heroic British and American soldiers who fought side by side in Afghanistan, many of whom never returned home," a spokesperson said. "We must never forget their sacrifice."

Trump's initial remarks also drew a direct rebuke from Prince Harry, who served two tours in Afghanistan.

Prince Harry saluting in uniform while Prince Philip, also in uniform, looks on.

Britain's Prince Harry also criticized Trump's downplaying of NATO soldiers who served in Afghanistan. (EDDIE MULHOLLAND/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)

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"I served there. I made lifelong friends there. And I lost friends there," Harry said.

"Those sacrifices deserve to be spoken about truthfully and with respect, as we all remain united and loyal to the defense of diplomacy and peace," he added.

Anders Hagstrom is a reporter with Fox News Digital covering national politics and major breaking news events. Send tips to Anders.Hagstrom@Fox.com, or on X: @Hagstrom_Anders.

Trump hails 'great and very brave' UK soldiers after slamming NATO allies' Afghanistan service