Rock legend Sir Rod Stewart has fired an unusually blunt political salvo at U.S. President Donald Trump, accusing him of being a “draft dodger” and demanding that he apologize for insulting NATO troops’ service in the Afghanistan war. Stewart’s remarks — delivered in a social-media video — have sparked international attention, broadening a diplomatic row into cultural and veteran circles.
In an Instagram clip posted on January 23, 2026, the 81-year-old singer, knighted in 2016, expressed deep personal offense at Trump’s remarks about allied forces, especially British troops, who served and sacrificed in Afghanistan. “I may just be a humble rock star, but I’m also a Knight of the realm and I have my opinions,” Stewart began, his voice uncharacteristically candid for a musician best known for hits like “Maggie May.”
Stewart’s outburst was triggered by comments Trump made earlier in the week during an interview from Davos, where the president suggested that NATO troops “stayed a little back, a little off the front lines” during the war in Afghanistan — remarks widely interpreted as downplaying the contributions and bravery of allied forces.
Stewart called those comments “unbearable,” noting that the war cost the lives of more than 400 British service members — 457 in total — and urging people to consider the pain of the families who lost loved ones. “Think of their parents. Think about it,” he said. “And Trump calls ’em almost like cowards.”
The singer went further than most cultural figures by openly labeling Trump a “draft dodger,” a reference to the U.S. president’s historical avoidance of military service during the Vietnam War era. Stewart appealed directly to UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Reform UK leader Nigel Farage to press Trump to apologize for the remarks, saying it was a matter of respect for those who served.
Stewart is no stranger to speaking publicly on issues beyond music. In past years he transformed his song “Rhythm of My Heart” into an anti-war anthem during performances, and has occasionally voiced opinions on global affairs. But his call for an apology from a sitting U.S. president — and the use of the “draft dodger” label — represents one of his most direct political interventions in years.
In his video, Stewart juxtaposed his own perspective as both a veteran of the rock world and a Brit with deep respect for military service. He emphasized that his comments came not from partisan politics, but from a sense of honor for troops who served under NATO flags in Afghanistan.
Stewart’s stance mirrors a broader wave of condemnation toward Trump’s NATO remarks. UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer publicly rebuked the president’s characterization of allied forces as “insulting” and “frankly appalling,” underscoring the sacrifices made by British service members and families affected by the war.
The diplomatic controversy also highlights deeper tensions within the trans-Atlantic alliance just as NATO faces ongoing strategic challenges. Stewart’s comments — rooted in respect for veterans — have become part of a larger conversation about the responsibilities of leadership and the cultural significance of military sacrifice.
Trump has not responded directly to Stewart’s appeal for an apology. Critics on social media suggest an apology is unlikely, noting that Trump rarely issues them even when under intense pressure. Stewart’s remarks, amplified by international reactions and veteran voices, have nonetheless ensured that this debate extends well beyond political circles and into the realm of cultural discourse and respect for shared sacrifice.
