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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Are you wary of travelling to USA currently?

360 replies

RosaMoline · 21/02/2025 14:42

I am sure you will tell me I’m BU, but that’s fine!
I’ve been to the states numerous times - Florida (all over, not just Disney/Orlando), New York City, California (los Angeles), Massachusetts and New Orleans.
Myself and 2 adult DCs were planning to go to Orlando again this October. Primarily for Halloween and DS (28) is autistic & very fixated with all things Disney.
DD (30) and I decided not to go ahead and take DS to Disneyland Paris instead. Yes, we’ve been there before, and it doesn’t really compare to the US version (IMO) not even close, but DS won’t mind.
it’s solely down to the current POS in charge and all his minions. America seems (to me) to be on a knife edge, very volatile, and DD being LGBT is understandably unsettled too.
I am not the sort of person who usually would even give a moment’s thought to something like this, but I just have a really uneasy feeling about going there. Chances are, at age 58, I may never go again.
AIBU or would you be thinking twice at the moment about travelling there? (especially Florida which is a red state)
I detest that man SO much!

OP posts:
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6
chocolatemousse3 · 21/02/2025 17:12

Going there as a tourist and give them your ££££ is another way to support that goverment.

OonaStubbs · 21/02/2025 17:12

I have friends and relatives in America and they aren't worried at all. I don't think the average American really cares about Trump being president.

dottiehens · 21/02/2025 17:10

Recitalbouquet · 21/02/2025 17:05

Right - so does anyone seriously believe the republicans and democrats are going to start shooting at each other?

Show quote history

No it is a few posters going on and on about civil war coming to the US in every thread here and some other parroting it too.

Parker231 · 21/02/2025 17:10

We live just over the border and as a result of Trump’s threats to Canada, we are limiting our trips.

Newgirls · 21/02/2025 17:09

I was in the US recently and saw far more rainbow flags than trump flags.

Hitchinkitchen · 21/02/2025 17:08

I’d happily go again.

user17353 · 21/02/2025 17:08

MrsBennetsPoorNerves · 21/02/2025 17:05

Quite honestly, regardless of any concerns about safety, I would not personally be choosing to hand over my hard earned cash to the current US regime.

This is the main issue for me. I am actively choosing not to spend my money on/in the US now.

We previously went every other year

JoyousGreyOrca · 21/02/2025 17:08

@dottiehens No one is arguing that not going on holiday is going to bring down trump.
As I have already said, I do not trust their current ability to ensure air safety.

BigDecisionWorthIt · 21/02/2025 17:08

RosaMoline · 21/02/2025 16:27

I get what you’re saying, but it’s not just that. The whole place doesn’t ’feel safe’ for a number of reasons.

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I understand that the media perception makes it seem not safe.
But statistically, the US is safer than the UK.

England crime rate (2024):
Overall: 87 crimes per 1000 people
Violent crime: 35 per 1000
Both overall crime rate and violent crime rate had increased from. 2023

US (2023):
Violent crime: 3.64 per 1000 people
Violent crime reduced by approximately 3% between 2022 and 2023

Those stats are from the FBI. Now Trump actually criticises this for not being accurate and himself has suggested the NCV Survey is a more reputable source for crime stats.
Even looking at this, the NCV survey has the violent crime rate at 22.5 per 1000 people. Still lower than the UK.

ThighsYouCantControl · 21/02/2025 17:07

I don’t think I’m afraid of visiting America but I certainly wouldn’t bother these days.

dottiehens · 21/02/2025 17:06

Breezeblock · 21/02/2025 15:57

This reminds me of studying history at school in the 1990s. Where we were talked about finding evidence of past political beliefs through newspapers, cartoons, letters etc.

The future version will be based on past social media posts. This one’s a perfect example of a certain type of mindset. Very illustrative.

Edited
Show quote history

Yea, pls keep it handy. In the meantime may be check how much New York City and California get in revenue from tourists? Do you think that a pathetic little group of idiots trying to boycott by not travelling there would bankrupt the US? Specially as the OP came to said she went last in 2008. Laughable.

Also, does she knows Obama records in selling guns? Or the ramdom attacks happening in France. 🤣

MrsBennetsPoorNerves · 21/02/2025 17:05

Quite honestly, regardless of any concerns about safety, I would not personally be choosing to hand over my hard earned cash to the current US regime.

foureightnine · 21/02/2025 17:05

Hoppinggreen · 21/02/2025 16:48

We were talking about going to Florida this year but as DD is of child bearing potential we won't.
Chances of her needing reproductive healthcare are tiny but not zero so I won't risk it

That’s a bit of a stretch though tbf..

Recitalbouquet · 21/02/2025 17:05

MissConductUS · 21/02/2025 16:52

Lots of democrats and independents own guns.

www.statista.com/statistics/249775/percentage-of-population-in-the-us-owning-a-gun-by-party-affiliation/

Right - so does anyone seriously believe the republicans and democrats are going to start shooting at each other?

aModernClassic · 21/02/2025 17:03

Hoppinggreen · 21/02/2025 16:48

We were talking about going to Florida this year but as DD is of child bearing potential we won't.
Chances of her needing reproductive healthcare are tiny but not zero so I won't risk it

Are you serious, I'm unsure if you're taking the piss or not?

PurpleThistle7 · 21/02/2025 17:02

ShuffleShuffleSpin · 21/02/2025 16:25

I’m a dual US/UK citizen (I grew up in the USA) and have many family members and friends who live there. I can say that many people are upset about the political situation, but there haven’t been any changes to safety and people and places are just the same as they always have been. I have expat friends who live here in the U.K. who have cancelled visits home - but purely for emotional reasons. Disney has a long history of being very pro LGBTQ since at least the 90s. I don’t think your family member would have anything to be concerned about.

There are huge changes to personal safety if you aren’t white and straight. Or if you’re a woman of childbearing age. Or if you’d like to fly or visit a national park. My entire extended family is in the states and many friends and all of them are scared.

Graniteisaverygoodsurface · 21/02/2025 17:00

We are going later this year but I am more wary than usual.

ExtraOnions · 21/02/2025 16:59

…not if you are pregnant .. you’ll be left bleeding to death if anything goes wrong.

Also the way they are cutting through organisations who look after safety, I would be very wary of flying.

user17353 · 21/02/2025 16:57

Jabtastic · 21/02/2025 16:47

What I find fascinating is watching The Handmaid's Tale against the current USA backdrop and seeing how terrifyingly plausible it has become.

It’s like a blueprint. Particularly when you read the parts about the early years and the gradual changes that were introduced.

Im finding it all so sad.

Savemefromwetdog · 21/02/2025 16:53

Nope, just booked a summer holiday there

StandFirm · 21/02/2025 16:52

Jabtastic · 21/02/2025 16:47

What I find fascinating is watching The Handmaid's Tale against the current USA backdrop and seeing how terrifyingly plausible it has become.

Especially the Washington Monument being turned into a huge cross...

Andylion · 21/02/2025 16:52

proporop · 21/02/2025 15:55

As a protest against the current administration and what is going on, I've cancelled all plans to go there for forseeable.

Canadians are cancelling their hols as well I see - lots of potential lost tourist revenue.

Not to mention the air safety issues - Trump has fired a load more aviation officials - which I understand means commercial flights will be less safe:

www.rollingstone.com/politics/politics-features/trump-musk-faa-firings-purge-air-safety-1235271233/

According to CTV News, Canadians spend $19 billion in tourism dollars each year.

www.ctvnews.ca/toronto/consumer-alert/article/20-million-canadians-spend-19-billion-in-the-us-each-year-this-year-many-are-staying-home/#:~:text=Typically%2C%20over%2020%20million%20Canadians,%2419%20billion%20in%20tourism%20dollars.

MissConductUS · 21/02/2025 16:52

Lots of democrats and independents own guns.

www.statista.com/statistics/249775/percentage-of-population-in-the-us-owning-a-gun-by-party-affiliation/

ShuffleShuffleSpin · 21/02/2025 16:49

RosaMoline · 21/02/2025 16:27

I get what you’re saying, but it’s not just that. The whole place doesn’t ’feel safe’ for a number of reasons.

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I think you and your family deserve to feel safe, and that’s what is most important. I can absolutely see what you are saying - I have been shocked by some of what has happened at the government level. For your own wellbeing, I can see why you would want to do something that felt predictable and reliable for you. I think it’s also important to remember that minorities or people with disabilities have a host of other vulnerabilities that non minorities are privileged not to think about. There are people who are going to feel much more vulnerable than others. I’m a heterosexual white middle class woman, and while yes, I am a woman, I’m also conscious that parts of my identity bring privilege. In the airport. At Disney world. Wherever. Your post has me thinking about the extra burdens carried by those who are minorities, who may feel much less protected at the moment.

Hoppinggreen · 21/02/2025 16:48

We were talking about going to Florida this year but as DD is of child bearing potential we won't.
Chances of her needing reproductive healthcare are tiny but not zero so I won't risk it

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