Trump, Apologize!: Over 10,000 Protest in Copenhagen Against U.S. President

More than 10,000 people demonstrated in Copenhagen against U.S. President Donald Trump, following a call by Denmark’s Veterans’ Association. The protest followed Trump’s remarks questioning the presence and service of NATO troops—including Danish soldiers—in Afghanistan. On January 22, Trump sparked outrage across Denmark and other allied nations by claiming their forces had remained “far away from the front lines” during the 20-year conflict. In response, 44 Danish flags bearing the names of fallen Danish soldiers in Afghanistan were planted in flowerbeds outside the U.S. Embassy in Copenhagen. The embassy removed them on Tuesday before issuing an apology for the action. “We hold deep respect for Danish veterans and for the sacrifices made by Danish soldiers for our shared security. The removal of the flags was not intended to offend anyone,” the U.S. Embassy wrote on Facebook, clarifying that the flowerbeds were embassy property—not public land. On Friday, the U.S. Ambassador personally planted 44 Danish flags at the site. By Saturday, 52 flags were expected—44 honoring those killed in Afghanistan, plus eight who died in Iraq. Protesters gathered at Kastellet, Copenhagen’s citadel, observed a brief ceremony at the fallen soldiers’ memorial, then marched silently toward the embassy—about two kilometers away. A one-minute silence was held, and a wreath of red and white flowers was laid. The demonstration, titled “Without Words,” reflected collective shock and grief. “Trump, apologize!” read banners held by demonstrators—including one carried by a parent with a child. Veteran Søren Knudsen, deputy head of the association, told AFP: “What Trump said is an insult to us and to the values we defended together.” Danish veteran Henning Andersen, who served with UN peacekeeping forces in Cyprus, added: “Trump says things he doesn’t fully understand. I have friends who were there—some wounded, still bearing the scars of war today.”