In a recent broadcast that has sent shockwaves through international relations, former President Donald Trump stirred controversy by suggesting that NATO allies, including British troops, maintained a distance from the front lines during the Afghanistan conflict. Trump’s remarks, made during a Fox News interview, hinted at skepticism about NATO’s allegiance to the United States, questioning whether the alliance would indeed stand by America in times of need. He claimed, “We’ve never needed them… we have never really asked anything of them,” while implying that allied forces were not as front-and-center as U.S. troops in Afghanistan.

Trump’s comments have ignited a storm of criticism, particularly from military veterans and political figures. The insinuation that NATO forces, who have faced numerous casualties, contributed minimally to the conflict has been met with widespread indignation. The UK, which lost 457 servicemen and women in Afghanistan, was particularly vocal in its response. A spokesperson for the Prime Minister condemned the remarks, stating, “The sacrifice of our troops and that of other NATO forces was made in the service of collective security and in response to an attack on our ally.”

Kemi Badenoch, a prominent figure in the Conservative Party, responded forcefully, labeling Trump’s statements as “flat-out nonsense.” She emphasized that British, Canadian, and NATO forces “fought and died alongside the US for 20 years,” underscoring the shared sacrifices made in pursuit of global security. The emotional impact of Trump’s comments was further highlighted by Diane Dernie, the mother of Ben Parkinson, a veteran who sustained severe injuries in Afghanistan. Stunned by the former president’s claims, she retorted, “I can assure you, the Taliban didn’t plant IEDs miles and miles back from the front line.”

She (pictured with her son Ben Parkinson) told the Press Association Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer should call out Mr Trump and ‘make a stand’ in response to his remarks. Ian Sadler, whose son, Trooper Jack Sadler, 21, was killed in Afghanistan in 2007, added: ‘The British certainly were in the hot spots, they were on the front line, 457 of them were lost and there was probably three times as many seriously injured as deaths.’ Labour’s Defence Secretary John Healey said: ‘Those British troops should be remembered for who they were: heroes who gave their lives in service of our nation.’ And Armed Forces Minister Al Cairns, who did five tours in Afghanistan with the Royal Marines, said the president’s words were ‘utterly ridiculous’.

Many courageous and honourable service personnel from many nations fought on the front line, many fought way beyond it,’ he said. ‘I served five tours in Afghanistan, many alongside my American colleagues. We shed blood, sweat and tears together and not everybody came home. These are bonds forged in fire, protecting US and shared interests, and actually protecting democracy overall. ‘I would suggest whoever believes these comments come have a whisky with me, my colleagues, their families and importantly the families of those who have made the ultimate sacrifice for both of our nations.’ Reform MP Robert Jenrick (pictured) said the president’s comments were ‘offensive and wrong’. But party leader Nigel Farage, a close ally of Mr Trump, has yet to comment. Conservative MP Ben Obese-Jecty, who served in Afghanistan, said it was ‘sad to see our nation’s sacrifice, and that of our Nato partners, held so cheaply’.