Donald Trump is facing sharp criticism from UK politicians, veterans, and commentators after remarks that appeared to downplay the role of British forces during the war in Afghanistan.
Speaking publicly, the US President questioned whether Britain would be a reliable ally in a future conflict, claiming that UK troops who were deployed to Afghanistan had “stayed a little back” and were “off the front lines.” He suggested that the United States had never truly needed Britain’s military support and implied that the UK’s contribution had been limited.
The comments sparked immediate backlash across the UK political spectrum, particularly from those with direct military experience.
Conservative MP Ben Obese-Jecty, who served as a captain in the Royal Yorkshire Regiment in Afghanistan, said he was deeply disappointed by Trump’s remarks. Drawing on his own service, Obese-Jecty emphasized that British troops paid a heavy price in frontline combat.
He pointed to the fighting in Sangin, one of the most dangerous areas of Helmand Province, where British forces suffered severe casualties. He also stressed that UK troops fought alongside US Marines under the most intense conditions. According to Obese-Jecty, Trump’s comments did not reflect the reality experienced by soldiers on the ground and risk undermining the long-standing military bond between the two countries.
Veterans and members of the public also reacted with anger. Author Neil Lancaster shared his frustration online, describing his son’s multiple combat deployments with the Royal Marines in Iraq and Afghanistan. He highlighted the physical and emotional scars borne by service members and reminded readers that the UK entered the conflict after NATO’s Article 5 was triggered following the September 11 attacks on the United States.
Photojournalist Eddie Mulholland posted a powerful image from Wootton Bassett, showing hearses carrying Union Flag-draped coffins of fallen British soldiers. Referencing Trump’s remarks, Mulholland underscored the human cost of the war and the reality of Britain’s sacrifice.
Even figures generally sympathetic to Trump criticized the statement. Former Reform UK MP Rupert Lowe called the comments “deeply offensive,” rejecting the claim that British troops were anything other than active frontline participants.
Lowe, who has long opposed the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, acknowledged that Britain should never have been drawn into those conflicts. However, he made a clear distinction between criticizing political decisions and disrespecting the service of those who fought. British men and women, he said, fought and died alongside American allies and deserve to have their service honored.
Despite describing himself as broadly supportive of Trump, Lowe concluded that the President’s remarks crossed a line and expressed hope that an apology would be forthcoming.
The controversy adds to a growing list of tensions between Trump and UK leaders, following his recent advice that Prime Minister Keir Starmer should “straighten out” the country. For many in Britain, however, this episode struck a particularly raw nerve—touching not on policy disagreements, but on the memory of those who served and sacrificed in war.
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