Rod Stewart launches attack on “draft dodger” Donald Trump over comments about British veterans
Rod Stewart has condemned “draft dodger” Donald Trump following recent defamatory remarks the US president made about British veterans.
During an interview with Fox News on January 22nd, Trump said that the US “never needed” troops from NATO nations in conflicts such as Iraq and Afghanistan.
He added, “They’ll say they sent some troops to Afghanistan and they did, they stayed a little back, a little off the front lines.”
In Afghanistan alone, 457 British troops were killed while in combat and more than 2,000 were severely wounded during the war.
Trump’s comments have been condemned by the UK Prime Minister, Keir Starmer, who said it was “insulting and frankly, appalling”.
Additionally, Prince Harry, who served in Afghanistan, said in response to Trump, “Thousands of lives were changed forever. Mothers and fathers buried sons and daughters. Children were left without a parent. Families are left carrying the cost.”
Rod Stewart has also been enraged by Trump’s comments. In a video posted on social media, the music icon said, “I was born just after the war, and I have great respect for our armed forces that fought and gave us our freedom.”
Stewart continued, “So it hurts me badly, deeply, when I read that draft dodger Trump has criticised our troops in Afghanistan for not being on the front line.”
Trump notably dodged serving in the US Army in the Vietnam War on five occasions, despite being of fighting age during the conflict.
The ‘Maggie May’ then highlighted the loss of 457 British lives in Afghanistan, before imploring Trump to “think of their parents.” He added, “Think about it. And Trump calls them almost like cowards. It’s unbearable.”
He concluded by pleading with Starmer and Reform UK leader Nigel Farage, who have both publicly condemned Trump’s comments, to “make the draft dodger Trump apologise”.
During an interview with the Radio Times in 2025, Stewart revealed that he used to be friendly with Trump before he entered politics, sharing, “I’m not a great fan of Trump. I knew him very, very well. I used to go to his house.”
However, Stewart disapproves of Trump’s politics, adding, “But since he became President, he became another guy. Somebody I didn’t know.”
Never Miss A Beat
The Far Out Music Newsletter
All the latest music news from the independent voice of culture.
Straight to your inbox.