Danish war veteran who lost both legs says he feels ‘betrayed’ by Trump’s Nato remarks

A Danish war veteran who lost both his legs while fighting alongside US forces in Afghanistan has spoken of his anger and sense of betrayal after US President Donald Trump recently said America had “never needed” its Nato allies.Martin Aalholm, who was badly injured by an improvised explosive device (IED) blast while serving in Helmand province, said Trump’s comments neglect the sacrifices made by allied soldiers during the 20-year war.“Well, he makes me feel angry,” Aalholm told CBS News. “Uh, and makes me feel betrayed.”Trump recently claimed that allied troops had stayed “a little off the front lines” in Afghanistan, remarks that caused outrage in Denmark. Aalholm said the comments were deeply hurtful to veterans who fought and died under US military leadership.“I have sacrificed a lot of friends, family, all because I was placed on the path on helping America after 9/11, 2001,” he said. He added: “I also lost both my legs and some of my fingers, damage of my arms, basically my whole career.”

Aalholm was deployed to Helmand province in 2009, one of the most dangerous regions in Afghanistan. He said Danish troops were actively involved in major combat operations.“In 2009, we were deployed to Helmand province and stayed in the frontline to break through Taliban lines,” he said. “We made an operation called Panda School and that was the biggest allied operation since D-day.”During one such mission, he stepped on a powerful explosive device. “I walked to a position where I could defend the area. And there was an IED for me. About 50 kilograms of explosive,” he said.Aalholm woke up weeks later in a hospital in Denmark. “I had to change my dreams, my future, everything,” he said.Reacting to Trump’s remarks, Aalholm said: “I think America has lost its soul.” He added that Trump’s statements about Afghanistan were false and ignored clear evidence of allied sacrifice.“It’s not the America I grew up with,” he said. “America was the defender of peace in the world. And wanted to spread democracy.”When asked what America represents now, Aalholm replied: “I would say a scary place, um, a scary place for every everybody that is not American.”His comments came as nearly 10,000 people, including veterans and their families, marched through Copenhagen to the US embassy to protest Trump’s remarks.