Thousands of Danish War Veterans, Supporters Hold Silent March After Trump Remarks Spark Outrage
Thousands of Danish war veterans, joined by ordinary citizens, gathered in Copenhagen over the weekend for an emotional silent march after comments by former United States President Donald Trump were widely perceived as insulting to Denmark’s military sacrifices in NATO missions.
The protest, organised by Denmark’s Veterans’ Association under the banner “No Words,” saw between 8,000 and 10,000 people march quietly through the Danish capital despite freezing temperatures. Participants first assembled at the historic Kastellet fortress, where a brief memorial ceremony was held in honour of fallen soldiers, before proceeding to the U.S. Embassy in Copenhagen.
The demonstration was sparked by remarks made by Trump suggesting that European NATO allies had stayed “off the front lines” during the war in Afghanistan. The comments provoked anger in Denmark, which played a significant combat role in the conflict and lost 44 soldiers in Afghanistan — one of the highest per-capita casualty rates among NATO allies.
Many protesters carried Danish flags, some embroidered with the names of fallen soldiers, while others wore military uniforms and medals earned during international deployments. In keeping with the theme of the march, there were no chants or slogans, with participants choosing silence to express their frustration and grief.
Vice President of the Danish Veterans’ Association, Soren Knudsen, said the march was intended to show how deeply the comments had hurt veterans and their families. He noted that Danish soldiers fought side by side with U.S. forces in Afghanistan, Iraq, and other NATO operations, often at great personal cost.
The protest also followed controversy earlier in the week when Danish flags placed outside the U.S. Embassy to honour fallen soldiers were briefly removed, a move that further inflamed public anger. Embassy officials later apologised and returned the flags, saying there was no ill intent.
Denmark’s Prime Minister, Mette Frederiksen, also condemned the remarks, describing them as unfair and untrue. She stressed that Danish troops had shown courage and commitment in international missions and that their sacrifices should be recognised and respected.
The march concluded outside the U.S. Embassy with moments of silence and the laying of wreaths. Veterans said the protest was not aimed at the American people but at defending the dignity and memory of Danish soldiers who lost their lives in service.
Despite the diplomatic tension, organisers said the demonstration was meant to honour fallen comrades and reaffirm Denmark’s long-standing commitment to shared democratic values and international cooperation.
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