Recent comments by former U.S. President Donald Trump questioning the commitment of NATO allies have ignited strong reactions in Denmark, notably among veterans of the war in Afghanistan. The remarks, wich reportedly downplayed the contributions of Danish forces and questioned the alliance’s value, have prompted expressions of anger and disappointment from those who served alongside American troops. This report from our correspondent details the emotional toll Trump’s statements are taking on Danish veterans, some of whom feel betrayed by an ally they risked their lives to support.
You can also listen to the report in audio version.
From our special correspondent in Denmark.
Søren Knudsen served two tours in Afghanistan. He says there are some things he’d rather forget, but recent events have brought those memories flooding back.
“Every time Donald Trump says something, it automatically brings to mind a scene of me standing at a ceremony where the bodies of fallen colleagues were being carried away. We would stand there around midnight, it was always done in the dark for security,” he describes, recalling a powerful moment from his years of active service.
Memories of rocket attacks and moments of uncertainty return more frequently during these intense times.
Unusual Displays of Emotion
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“Once, I was calling my wife and I heard that unpleasant sound of an incoming attack. I knew something was wrong. I said goodbye to her, knowing that might be the last time. Luckily, we all survived. But now, when I hear that Denmark isn’t a good ally, I feel like everything we sacrificed, all those nights on alert, is being disrespected,” he said.
He says he has never before wanted to be so open publicly and express so much emotion. Now, however, he feels it’s the right thing to do.
Photo: Søren Knudsen’s personal archive
Søren Knudsen served in Afghanistan twice, the picture is from 2012.
The recent comments by former U.S. President Donald Trump questioning the loyalty of NATO allies have sparked outrage in Denmark, particularly among veterans. Trump recently asserted that Danes were not good allies, claiming Washington never needed the alliance and that Danish forces in Afghanistan “held back a little bit off the front lines.”
Danish soldiers, however, participated in some of the most dangerous missions of the conflict. Forty-one Danish service members died in Afghanistan, and their sacrifices are now being widely commemorated by both civilian groups and the government. The controversy highlights a growing rift between the U.S. and some of its traditional European partners.
The war in Afghanistan began in 2001 in response to the terrorist attacks on New York and Washington. It remains the only time in history that NATO has invoked Article 5, the collective defense clause. The alliance saw widespread support from European countries, many of whom also backed the U.S. during the subsequent invasion of Iraq.
Trump’s remarks are particularly stinging for Danes, who have suffered the highest per capita casualty rate among contributing nations.
“I don’t know where Trump was then. I was in Afghanistan, and we were certainly not far from the front lines,” Knudsen said with frustration.
Uncharacteristic Displays of Emotion
The 65-year-old veteran is one of many in Denmark angered by Trump’s statements. Trump had previously suggested that Denmark was not a reliable ally.
Knudsen said he had never before felt the need to speak so openly about his emotions. “But now I feel it’s the right thing to do.”
“I once called my wife and heard that unpleasant sound of an incoming attack. I knew something wasn’t right. I said goodbye to her, knowing that might be the last time. Fortunately, we all survived. But now, when I hear that Denmark isn’t a good ally, I feel like everything we sacrificed, all those nights on alert, is being disrespected,” he recalled.
Photo: Gerth Sloth Berthelsen’s personal archive
Gerth Sloth Berthelsen served with American soldiers in the Balkans, now he feels betrayed.
Trump is not the first Washington figure to make such claims. Vice President J.D. Vance made similar remarks last year, which Knudsen described as the first major blow.
Knudsen personally has ties to the United States, with many of his friends from the war still living there and his wife being an American citizen. At the end of his second tour, he was presented with an American flag by U.S. service members, which he proudly displayed in his home for years.
He also wore a Bronze Star from the U.S. military in recognition of his service in Afghanistan, along with other medals from his military career. He has since removed them in protest following Vance’s comments, stating he will restore them when the Danish-American alliance is restored.
“Trump talks about ‘buying’ Greenland – and even though he said he wouldn’t use military force, his statements are so unpredictable that you just don’t believe him. In today’s world, where America has enormous influence, when the president says something, everyone asks ‘what will happen now?’ – and that creates fear and uncertainty,” he added.
Report from a Copenhagen protest against Trump:
Denmark has become an unexpected vocal opponent of Trump’s policies. The country has firmly stood by both Greenland and its veterans.
Widespread anger was also sparked by a recent incident in which 41 Danish flags bearing the names of fallen soldiers disappeared from the grounds of the U.S. embassy. While embassy staff attributed it to a mistake, the reaction from protesters was strongly negative.
See the gallery from the protests against Trump:
Photo: Seznam Zprávy
Christian, who was present at the protest, estimated that around 10,000 people participated. He proudly wears a veteran’s cap as a reminder of his time serving with American forces in Afghanistan.
“It’s good that we remembered all the men who tragically died today. I have deep respect for them. And it hurts even more to hear the American president dismiss it all,” he said near the U.S. embassy, where a moment of silence was held for the fallen.
A Stab in the Back
The erosion of trust in the United States has also affected veteran Gerth Sloth Berthelsen. For him, it’s an even more sensitive issue, as he grew up in Greenland and part of his family still lives there. He also served alongside U.S. forces on a peacekeeping mission in the Balkans in 1996 and 1997.
He describes that he would never have imagined how the alliance’s unity could fall apart so suddenly and quickly.
“Suddenly you lose all trust. It’s a blow, like a stab in the back that may heal over time, but the scar will remain,” he said with clear disdain. He still has many friends in the United States and emphasizes that all his anger is directed at the White House.
Berthelsen still works in the Danish military, though no longer in a combat role. He also collaborates with a number of veterans through his organization.
“Many of our veterans have post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) from Afghanistan. When news like this comes out, they ask, ‘Was it all worth it?’ It’s incredibly frustrating and deeply affects people,” he said.
Photo: Gerth Sloth Berthelsen’s personal archive
Gerth Sloth Berthelsen served with American soldiers in the Balkans, now he feels betrayed.
He also points to the disrespect shown to the families who lost loved ones during the missions.
“I went to a psychologist after returning and worked a lot on it. So my PTSD is better now, I still can’t sit with my back to the window, but I don’t have more intense symptoms. But a lot of people do, and Trump’s words just exacerbate those states,” he explained.
