'Head-shaking anger': Afghanistan veteran tells GB News how Donald Trump remarks left him 'outraged'

"We've never needed them. They'll say they sent some troops to Afghanistan... and they did, they stayed a little back, a little off the front lines."

In total, 457 British personnel were killed in Afghanistan between 2001 and the coalition withdrawal two decades later.

Andrew Fox, who served in the British Army for 16 years and completed three tours in Afghanistan, told the People's Channel he was sad to see Mr Trump put a "taint" on the troops' efforts.

Speaking to hosts Stephen Dixon and Anne Diamond, the veteran expressed how he felt "head-shaking anger" and a "mild degree of outrage at Mr Trump's obtuse comments".

He said: "To everyone watching this who spoke out online and who spoke up for our veterans and our service personnel, it's very much appreciated because Afghanistan does feel a bit like a forgotten war sometimes.

"And to know that people remember it and hold us in high acclaim as the people who fought there is really one of the good things to come out of this."

Stephen added: "It just seems remarkable President Trump would, in effect, say that people like you did not serve alongside the Americans, saying you served below them or behind them when we know that isn't the case."

Mr Fox spent six months working with an American special forces unit and was later awarded a Combat Infantryman Badge, a US Army decoration awarded to troops engaging in active-ground combat.

Alongside his extensive time spent in Afghanistan, the soldier fought alongside Danes, Estonians, Czechs, the Dutch, as well as Australians and Canadians.

He added: "This was a team effort. And I think anyone who actually served there would know this. Obviously, Mr. Trump never served. He dodged military service with bone spurs.

"But the point is that everyone who was on the ground now knew that it was almost a noble endeavour. And you go into to the fight and it wouldn't matter who was to your right or left, what country's flag they had on their own.

"We'd all go into battle for each other. This has really taken something quite noble and a warrior-like ethos and has turned it into something a little bit more tainted from Mr Trump's comments. So that's that's just really sad to see."

Mr Fox further reflected on the emotional impact the remarks would have had on families of those killed in action

"It must be horrifying to hear your child or your husband or your daughter's sacrifice be denigrated in such a way," he fumed.

"Not to mention the friends that I know who've lost legs and lost, even lost their eyesight from Afghanistan. That must have been a far more brutal body blow than it was to just the average veteran."

Mr Fox argued Mr Trump's comments could have derived from a political push to dissolve the relationship between Nato and the US, considering such alliances rely on trust, he said, in an attempt to "rationalise" the comments.

Despite taking a leading role in Nato over the course of the Cold War, the former soldier said the US might no longer see the use of the international alliance.

On Friday, Sir Keir Starmer hit back at the President's claim in a furious statement, which said: "I consider President Trump's remarks to be insulting and frankly, appalling.

"And I'm not surprised they've caused such hurt to the loved ones of those who were killed or injured."

Meanwhile, Defence Minister Al Carns said the remarks were "utterly ridiculous", adding: "I served five tours in Afghanistan, many alongside my American colleagues. We shed blood, sweat and tears together. Not everybody came home.

"These are bonds, I think, forged in fire, protecting the US, our shared interests, but actually protecting democracy overall."

Yet, overnight, the Oval Office appeared to double down on the Republican's apparent disregard for Nato troops.

White House spokeswoman Taylor Rogers told GB News: "President Trump is absolutely right - the United States of America has done more for Nato than any other country in the alliance has done combined."

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