Rod Stewart Hits Out at Trump Over ‘False’ Claims on UK Role in Afghanistan War

Sir Rod Stewart has strongly criticised Donald Trump over comments he made about British soldiers who served in Afghanistan, calling the remarks “unbearable”.

The singer has urged UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Reform UK leader Nigel Farage to pressure the US President into issuing an apology.

Trump made the comments during an interview with Fox News, while attending the World Economic Forum in Davos. In the interview, he questioned whether Nato allies would come to America’s aid and claimed that some countries avoided front-line fighting during the war in Afghanistan.

Stewart, who was knighted in 2016, responded by posting a video message on Instagram on January 23. In the clip, he said Trump’s claims deeply offended him.

“I may just be a humble rock star, but I’m also a Knight of the realm, and I have my opinions,” Stewart said. “I was born just after the war, and I have great respect for our armed forces that fought and gave us our freedom.”

He said he was particularly upset by Trump’s criticism of British troops, pointing out that 457 UK service personnel were killed during the Afghanistan conflict.

“We lost over 400 of our guys,” Stewart said. “Think of their parents. Think about it. And Trump calls them almost like cowards. It’s unbearable.”

Stewart ended his message by directly appealing to UK political leaders. “So I’m calling on you, Prime Minister Starmer and Farage, please make the draft dodger Trump apologise. Please.”

Following Trump’s remarks, Starmer said the President was “wrong” to diminish the role of UK forces, describing the comments as “insulting and frankly appalling”.

Stewart has previously spoken about his past relationship with Trump, who was once his neighbour. Last year, he said they used to be close but drifted apart after Trump became President.

“Since he became President, he became another guy,” Stewart said. “Somebody I didn’t know.”

He also said Trump’s involvement in Israel’s war in Gaza has made any reconciliation unlikely, adding that continued US arms sales to Israel make it difficult to see how the conflict will end.