Sir Rod Stewart has sharply criticized U.S. President Donald Trump after comments Trump made suggesting that NATO troops, particularly those from non-U.S. countries, stayed “a little off the front lines” during the Afghanistan war. In a video posted to Instagram, Stewart called Trump a “draft dodger” and condemned the president’s remarks as deeply hurtful and disrespectful to those who served. Stewart, a knighted rock star, referenced the sacrifices made by more than 400 British service members in Afghanistan, urging British political leaders including Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Reform UK leader Nigel Farage to demand an apology from Trump. Stewart said the president’s comments were “unbearable,” highlighting the toll on families of fallen troops and demanding recognition of their service.
The backlash to Trump’s comments has grown beyond Stewart’s rebuke. British Prime Minister Starmer described the remarks as “insulting and frankly appalling,” emphasizing the bravery and sacrifices of British and NATO forces in Afghanistan. Veterans’ groups and political leaders across the UK have expressed outrage, and in some cases urged Trump to retract his statements and apologize for diminishing the role of allied troops.
International reactions have continued to mount. Australian veterans and officials have also condemned Trump’s characterization of allied forces’ involvement, calling the comments offensive given the service and losses of Australian troops. Debates over the accuracy and impact of Trump’s claims have unfolded across social media and international news, with public figures and military communities pushing back against the narrative that allied forces held back during critical engagements in Afghanistan.
Amid the controversy, Trump’s remarks have strained trans-Atlantic relations and reignited discussions about his own military record, including past deferments during the Vietnam War, which critics have juxtaposed against his criticisms of others’ service. The debate continues as global leaders and veterans’ groups respond to both the substance of Trump’s comments and the broader implications for NATO solidarity and historical memory of the Afghanistan conflict.
