Trump Praises UK Soldiers After NATO Criticism

On 24 January 2026 in London, former U.S. President Donald Trump posted on Truth Social to thank the United Kingdom’s troops for their service in Afghanistan. The message followed earlier comments at the World Economic Forum in February in which Trump said NATO forces were “a little back, a little off the frontlines.” 457 British servicemen died and many were badly injured during the nearly 20‑year campaign, making the UK the second‑highest death toll after the United States (2,461). U‑turn was welcomed by Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch but remained contentious; Sir Keir Starmer called the initial remarks “insulting and frankly appalling,” while Prince Harry urged a truthful tribute. Non‑US NATO troops lost over 1,000 lives and a similar number were seriously wounded.