https://thehill.com/homenews/administration/5703206-trump-nato-afghanistan-remarks-criticized/
President Trump has set off a firestorm in the United Kingdom and among NATO allies whose troops fought in Afghanistan by claiming NATO forces “stayed a little back” from the front lines. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and leaders across the political spectrum, along with former soldiers and the parents of fallen military members, slammed Trump for dismissing the sacrifice allies made in the more than 20-year war.
Kemi Badenoch, the opposition leader in Britain, called Trump’s comments “a disgrace,” according to the BBC “We mustn’t have these sort of throwaway comments that actually weaken the strong relationship between those countries in the alliance,” she said. Liberal Democrat leader Ed Davey called Trump’s comments a “huge insult to our brave soldiers” and said the prime minister should demand an apology from Trump.
The full omitted context is he acknowledged that although Europe sent Troops. Often enough they were operating in comparatively safer. For Afghanistan and Iraq at least areas. When compared to U.S Troops. Or in the case of several countries. Almost exclusively operated as auxiliary and support troops who rarely if ever left the wire of their compounds. Which is largely true.
So the U.S bore the brunt of the costs both financially and in blood. As we have before in previous conflicts the U.S and Europe have embarked on together in the post WW2 era.
He albeit was very blunt and not exceptionally diplomatic. Which gave the media plenty to clip and post out of context.
I expect Trump wanted them to post out of context.
You know he always has them on a string. They think they are opposing him, but they're doing what he wants.