Ben Leo has slammed Donald Trump’s recent remarks on NATO, calling them a “slap in the face to our forces” and warned they have “deeply offended” Britain.
Speaking from Washington, the GB News host said the US president’s comments showed a shocking disregard for the sacrifices of British service personnel, particularly those who lost their lives in Afghanistan alongside US troops.
Veterans, their families, and MPs across the political spectrum have expressed outrage after the US president claimed NATO forces remained “a little off the frontlines” during the Afghanistan conflict.
In a Fox News interview from Davos, Mr Trump doubled down on his criticism, questioning whether the military alliance would ever “be there if we needed them".
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He went on to say: “We’ve never needed them. Sure, they sent some troops to Afghanistan… but they stayed a little back, a little off the frontlines.”
Speaking about his comments on GB News, host Ben said: "I don't think people and probably not President Trump himself are fully aware of the ramifications his comments are having in the UK.
"I went to the White House this morning to make them aware of Sir Keir Starmer’s statement, and boy, wasn’t it a stern one.
"He seems to have really found his big-boy boots in the last couple of weeks. When it comes to President Trump particularly on issues like Greenland standing up in Parliament toe to toe against the president was a damning move.
Ben Leo blasted Donald Trump for his comments
|GB NEWS
"It was an insulting statement, no doubt about it. Some Americans, including armed forces personnel, have defended Trump on social media, claiming he wasn’t including the UK when he referenced NATO.
"I don’t buy that. I think he was simply talking about NATO in general. But even if that’s the case, at best you can say he was sloppy with his language, especially considering that 450 British service personnel died in Afghanistan, many on the front lines alongside US forces.
"I personally knew mates who were blown up in tanks fighting alongside US air units.
"There are now calls for King Charles to boycott his planned April visit to Washington, D.C., and some have even suggested boycotting the World Cup.
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Donald Trump said that NATO forces remained 'a little off the frontlines' during the Afghanistan conflict.
| POOL"I think that’s a bit of an overreaction, but what is clear is that Trump’s comments were insulting, whether or not the UK was included in his NATO reference.
"They have caused real hurt and upset in Britain.
"There are now calls for King Charles to boycott his planned April visit to Washington DC and some have even suggested boycotting the World Cup.
"I think that’s a bit of an overreaction, but what is clear is that Trump’s comments were insulting, whether or not the UK was included in his NATO reference. They have caused real hurt and upset in Britain.
"To put it in perspective, 457 British personnel died in Afghanistan, compared with 2,461 Americans.
"On a per capita basis, the UK wasn’t far behind: America had 4.73 deaths per 100,000, the UK 0.67 per 100,000. So if Trump did include the UK, we were not dramatically behind in terms of tragic losses.
"As soon as we receive the White House response to Keir Starmer, we’ll bring it to you.
"The Royal British Legion has also issued a statement on X, saying the service and sacrifice of British personnel cannot be called into question, and condemning any remarks that undermine their contribution."
In a statement to GB News, a White House spokesperson said: "President Trump is right America’s contributions to NATO dwarf that of other countries, and his success in delivering a five percent spending pledge from NATO allies is helping Europe take greater responsibility for its own defense.
"The United States is the only NATO partner who can protect Greenland, and the President is advancing NATO interests in doing so.”
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