Sir Rod Stewart has called on Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Reform UK leader Nigel Farage to demand an apology from US President Donald Trump after he described NATO troops as staying "a little back, a little off the front lines" in Afghanistan. In an Instagram video, the singer labelled Trump a "draft dodger" and said his remarks were "unbearable" and "disgraceful".
Stewart, a knight of the realm, said: "I was born just after the war, and have great respect for our armed forces that fought and gave us our freedom. So, it hurts me badly, deeply, when I read that the draft dodger Trump has criticized our troops in Afghanistan for not being on the front line." He added: "We lost over 400 of our guys. Think of their parents. Think about it! And Trump calls 'em almost like cowards."
The comments came after Trump told Fox News in Davos: "You know, they'll say they sent some troops to Afghanistan, or this or that. And they did — they stayed a little back, a little off the front lines." In total, 457 British troops were killed in Afghanistan, second only to US casualties.
Prime Minister Starmer described Trump's remarks as "insulting and frankly appalling", adding: "If I had misspoken in that way or said those words, I would certainly apologize." Prince Harry, who served two tours in Afghanistan, also responded without naming Trump, saying: "The United Kingdom alone had 457 service personnel killed. Those sacrifices deserve to be spoken about truthfully and with respect."
Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch called Trump's comments "flat-out nonsense", while Reform UK leader Nigel Farage said simply: "Donald Trump is wrong." Stewart concluded his video with a salute and on-screen messages including "We shall never forget" and "Disgraceful".
