Trump says our troops were not on the frontline in Afghanistan

Um, wasn't it Joe Biden who sent troops to Afghanistan, and pulled them out too soon, leaving chaos in their wake?

I've read the posts and first I would like to congratulate the OP on a very British headline. It's factual, calm and open.

Starmer What Starmer has said so far is okay, but I hope he will make a very strong statement in Parliament next Wednesday.

King Charles I'm not sure if he should go to America or not. If he does he could focus on this being a visit to the American people, many of whom are worried by what has been said. Americans are and have been our allies. I'm not sure if they have ever been our friends. This was offensive, inaccurate, diplomatically insulting, and personally insulting to our armed services, but it was made by one man, who will be replaced, not by a whole country.

Mental Health I'm no a doctor or a psychiatrist but this is what I see in Trump:

Distorted ownership and consequence awareness
Inflated agency and entitlement
Boundary erosion

This describes some symptoms of the mania side of bipolar. Anyone unable to control such symptoms might well find themselves in a place of safety. Safety for themselves and for others.

America won WW2
By the time the US joined in late 1941:

Britain had been fighting Nazi Germany alone (in the West) for over a year

The USSR was already absorbing and inflicting catastrophic losses on the Wehrmacht

China had been fighting Japan since 1937

Much of Europe was already occupied and resisting. If those countries hadn’t been fighting; if Britain had capitulated, if the USSR hadn’t resisted, if China hadn’t tied down Japan, there is no scenario in which the US “wins WWII” on its own.

American involvement shortened the war, reduced some Allied losses, and shaped the postwar world enormously. But that’s not the same as “winning it alone.”

I think it was Trump who arranged the withdrawal from Afghanistan. Biden was stuck with dealing with it.

I cannot say what I think of this individual as it would mean a lot of expletives. As a child of a WW2 veteran involved in some Godawful parts of the war, and as someone who has armed forces family members going back to WW1 and others who served in various campaigns. I'm beyond disgusted with a man who avoided service himself. He spouts total and utter s*!+€. I worked beside a young man who lost his father in Iraq, I cannot begin to imagine how that young man must feel. I'm beyond disgusted, but sadly Americans voted for him. This is what they wanted and this is what they have got.

Maremia

I think it was Trump who arranged the withdrawal from Afghanistan. Biden was stuck with dealing with it.

Yes. That’s correct.

Allira

Sorry, I'm not a medical expert so I wasn't using it as a medical term, but he does seem to find reality a problem.
I was using the word delusional to mean that he has false ideas and beliefs which have no basis in fact.

Then you’re spot on Allira 🙏🏽

I’m catching up.
DAR - I’m not a psychiatrist but I was an ‘approved sw’ so worked with colleagues who were psychiatrists in deciding whether an individuals mh meant a section, against their wishes,was appropriate for their safety and that of others
Obvs bo clinical assessment of the Donald. Ht - on what I’ve seen on tv and print media, I wouldn’t be thinking bi polar. That’s a relatively straight forward diagnosis and treatment plan
I’m thinking personality disorder, he hits the narcissistic button. Psychopathy ? He’s like many top sales personnel. CEOs, lacks empathy, succeeds in competitive environments

Anyway my unqualified thiughts matter not at all. I’m livid with Trump for his disgusting dismissal of the service our troops and those from other European countries gave in response to American requests for help. He’s put simply, a disgusting bully.
I’m aware of the need for European leaders, including our PM to ensure long standing alliances aren’t irrevocably damaged. Sadly, Trump doesn’t give a flying fig .

I can't help but think Trump has now irrevocably damaged America's relationship with our country.

I feel physically sick when I hear Trump spouting those lies and see his arrogant, smug face on the television.

Agree with your first paragraph Iam.

I'm trying not to think about what he said about our troups - too distressing. You can't shut it out over course. It's just wicked.

I'm hoping we are buying time but we have to move faster.

I was watching the Jeremy Vine show, with Judge Rinder standing in, he asked a veteran who phoned in, what he thought of Trump without swearing. He replied he is a draft dodging old gas bag.

I am the daughter of a world war 11 marine veteran, my older cousin told me he did dangerous opps, my dad would not tell me as I was a child, I only found out when I was older.

I am disgusted by what Trump has said, but cannot say I am surprised. I can not use the expletives on here about what I think of him.

a draft dodging old gas bag.

Well, that's rather mild!
Obviously we cannot say what we think on social media or if commenting on television or radio, but his comments are dangerous and treacherous.

To paraphrase an old saying, with allies like this, who needs enemies?

I agree Allira and so did the caller, he had to moderate his language.
I agree with your last paragraph.

eazybee

Um, wasn't it Joe Biden who sent troops to Afghanistan, and pulled them out too soon, leaving chaos in their wake?

Apologies, haven’t read every comment.

A dear friend’s son, 20 years old, is a proud member of the British army and furious on behalf of his forbears.

That man, with no military history, is a disgrace. How dare he?

Good to see the BBC's Washington correspondent report that a US general had welcomed his telephone call, because it gave him the chance to say what he thought about Trump's remarks.

eazybee

Um, wasn't it Joe Biden who sent troops to Afghanistan, and pulled them out too soon, leaving chaos in their wake?

No it wasn’t. Unless, of course, Biden was POTUS for 20 years.

eazybee

Um, wasn't it Joe Biden who sent troops to Afghanistan, and pulled them out too soon, leaving chaos in their wake?

It was George W Bush first sent troops in to Afghanistan in October 2001.

grumppa

Good to see the BBC's Washington correspondent report that a US general had welcomed his telephone call, because it gave him the chance to say what he thought about Trump's remarks.

I think this would be

"A retired U.S. admiral who led troops on the frontlines in Afghanistan also rejected Trump’s claim. James Stavridis, former Supreme Allied Commander of NATO from 2009 to 2013, said hundreds of allied troops were killed while serving under his command. “I honor their memory every single day,” he noted."

And, lest we forget, John Wayne won WW2 single handed for the USA, according to Hollywood.

DaisyAnneReturns you're "not sure" whether the King should visit America. What exactly would enable you to have a sure opinion?
The King's visit to America will be proudly hosted by that monstrous draft dodger, he will make a massive media circus of it. The King will not meet with your average American, only with Trump's vile henchmen and grasping family members.
This planned visit, if it happens, will completely undo all the wonderful effort and work that King Charles has done since becoming our monarch. He owes our fallen troops respect who fought in the name of our Queen and Country. Time to draw the line under Trump's lies and insults.
It will simply be appeasement, not democracy. And we all know what appeasement achieves...conflict. Trumps legacy will continue long after he is gone.

specki4eyes

DaisyAnneReturns you're "not sure" whether the King should visit America. What exactly would enable you to have a sure opinion?
The King's visit to America will be proudly hosted by that monstrous draft dodger, he will make a massive media circus of it. The King will not meet with your average American, only with Trump's vile henchmen and grasping family members.
This planned visit, if it happens, will completely undo all the wonderful effort and work that King Charles has done since becoming our monarch. He owes our fallen troops respect who fought in the name of our Queen and Country. Time to draw the line under Trump's lies and insults.
It will simply be appeasement, not democracy. And we all know what appeasement achieves...conflict. Trumps legacy will continue long after he is gone.

My emotional response is the same, "no way".

But........ Trump plays games constantly. Putting our back up to the extent we (for example) say no to this and that is part of his plan.....

and Starmer and other constantly have to make decisions based on our long term interests, not constantly letting him lead ourselves by the nose "reacting".

I honestly dont have an answer at this point

but to reach out hard within our US contacts especially their military to call it out as a lie has to be our first and most effective action? Rebellion on what Trump has said from "within"?

Well done Prince Harry for speaking up, maybe Trump should be invited to the Invictus games so the evidence is cleat for him .

I would like to see all our injured veterans and their families lined up in front of Trump and him forced to apologise to them in person. It won’t happen of course.
Disgusting man.

Disgraceful words, he should be ashamed but he won't be.
My dear son in law fought in Afghanistan, really non should have been there, x3. Left him with severe ptsd after what he saw, still at least he came home. The brave service personal who died, and we're severely wounded, fighting, for what now I'm not sure, but they fought bravely. They also had to suffer being killed by their allies the Afghans, supposedly helping them.

Considering he managed to dodge the draft hes got a b***y cheek!

Im glad Starmer showed a bit of backbone (for once) and condemned him.