“I may just be a humble rock star, but I’m also a Knight of the realm, and I have my opinions"
By Laura Molloy 24th January 2026
Rod Stewart and Donald Trump. CREDIT: Jack Taylor - WPA Pool / Getty Images and Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images
Rod Stewart has hit out at US President Donald Trump over his false claims about British troops in Afghanistan.
- READ MORE: Rod Stewart live at Glastonbury 2025: Vegas showmanship adds razzle dazzle to legends slot
The rock star has urged UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Reform UK leader Nigel Farage to force Trump to apologise for his recent remarks on British troops who served in Afghanistan.
AdvertisementIt comes after the President questioned whether Nato allies would come to America’s aid, and claimed some nations avoided serving on the front line in Afghanistan, during a Fox News interview at the World Economic Forum in Davos.
Stewart, who was knighted in 2016, has now shared a video message on Instagram condemning Trump’s comments and describing them as “unbearable”.
“I may just be a humble rock star, but I’m also a Knight of the realm, and I have my opinions,” he said in the clip shared yesterday (January 23). “I was born just after the war, and I have great respect for our armed forces that fought and gave us our freedom,” he added.
“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.” Stewart went on to highlight the scale of British deaths during the conflict, where 457 UK service personnel were killed.
“We lost over 400 of our guys,” he said. “Think of their parents. Think about it. And Trump calls them almost like cowards. It’s unbearable.”
RecommendedHe concluded by asking Starmer and Reform UK leader Nigel Farage to appeal to Trump: “So I’m calling on you, Prime Minister Starmer and Farage, please make the draft dodger Trump apologise. Please.”
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Since Trump’s comments, Starmer has said the President was “wrong” to diminish the role played by UK forces, and that his claims were “insulting and frankly appalling”.
Stewart has previously spoken about his relationship with Trump, who is his former neighbour. Last year, he revealed that he used to be close with Trump, but added: “Since he became President, he became another guy. Somebody I didn’t know.”
AdvertisementHe also said the President’s role in Israel’s war in Gaza makes a potential reconnection difficult: “No, I can’t anymore. As long as he’s selling arms to the Israelis — and he still is. How’s that war ever gonna stop?”
Stewart also made headlines last year when he appeared to endorse Farage and the right-wing Reform UK party. Speaking to The Times, he said. “We’re fed up with the Tories. We’ve got to give Farage a chance. He’s coming across well. What options have we got? I know some of his family. I know his brother, and I quite like him.”
In other news, last year, Stewart played the legends slot at Glastonbury, being joined by Mick Hucknall, Lulu and Ronnie Wood.
NME awarded the set four stars, concluding: “It may be the staggering heat or a stronger Sunday hangover this year, but the crowd aren’t quite as raucous as they often are for the legends slot, despite the many resplendent in copycat wigs and spandex. Still, the man’s voice is on point and he knows how to charm while giving you bang for your buck.”
