Starmer accuses Trump of diminishing sacrifice of Nato troops in Afghanistan

[BumRushDaShow]

Source: The Guardian

Fri 23 Jan 2026 08.46 EST
First published on Fri 23 Jan 2026 02.58 EST


Keir Starmer has accused Donald Trump of “diminishing” the sacrifice of fallen British soldiers by claiming that those who fought in Afghanistan avoided the frontlines, as the US president faced a fierce backlash from all sides of the UK political spectrum as well as the families of veterans.

Trump’s suggestion that Nato troops stayed “a little off the frontlines” in Afghanistan has resurfaced questions about his own avoidance of military service in Vietnam.

Starmer’s official spokesman said: “The president was wrong to diminish the role of Nato troops, including British forces in Afghanistan […] We are incredibly proud of our armed forces and the sacrifice that they have given.”

Trump’s remarks drew condemnation from across the political spectrum, with critics pointing to the 457 British deaths in Afghanistan and Trump’s own lack of a military record. Trump has previously been criticised for avoiding being conscripted to fight in Vietnam after being diagnosed with bone spurs in his heels – a medical claim that has been subject to significant doubt.

Read more: https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/jan/23/donald-trump-outrage-nato-troops-avoided-afghanistan-frontline

[Chasstev365]

1. Hey W Bush: Where the fuck are you defending what the British PM said?

(Not that agreed with many of W's military lies; I just think this is another example of his cowardice towards Trump)

[fujiyamasan]

9. He's another draft dodging coward like Trump

[Lovie777]

2. Pretty disgusting .................

everyday it gets worse. Unfortunately shithole and the republican party have little or no respect for US nor NATO soldiers.

[Hugin]

3. Given that the claim of bone spurs hasn't kept the draft dodger from other physically demanding pursuits, such as golf...

Rallying insurrections, and rape. How come nobody has ever called it the crime it is?

[travelingthrulife]

5. It's a rich people perk...

[snowybirdie]

4. King Charles

Needs to cancel his state visit to the USA today

[Prairie Gates]

6. I don't know if you watch any British teevee dramas

But almost all of them that are set in the present these days have some tie-in to Afghanistan service. It's a noticeable feature of contemporary British cultural production.

Also, the American arrogance of "Har har, you'd all be speaking German," which Trump made sure to say out loud at Davos, is probably the thing most likely to turn a Brit of any kind against you. It's like the dumbest American cliche from the Seppos.

Embarrassing at every level. Trump is human dogshit.

[BidenRocks]

7. Read of John McCain.

It's not personal.
Chump is an insane douchebag.
An orange draft dodging coward who demeans honor!
The better half of this country is still here, just legally overwhelmed.

[DavidDvorkin]

8. Keir, the Special Relationship is (should be) with Europe, not the US.

[Prairie Gates]

10. Headline makes it about Starmer's accusation rather than what Trump objectively said

Here is what Trump said about our allies:

We have never really asked anything of them. 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 frontlines

It's an objective fact that he said this.

[BumRushDaShow]

11. Here was The Guardian's original headline that changed right before I posted the OP

Trump prompts outrage with claim Nato troops avoided frontline in Afghanistan (archived version)

(I always try to do a refresh before I post just in case the article updated)

Since they are a UK outlet, they would obviously seek to focus on their own.