Page 3 | American expats in Europe/the UK

expatme · 2026-01-21T14:51:54+00:00

Are you as horrified and embarrassed as I am?

Gahr · 21/01/2026 19:11

expatme · 21/01/2026 19:11

I actually think, to give him the benefit of the doubt, he was trying to warn European leaders not to buckle the way American politicians have.

But, literally, what do you suggest we do? I know I feel utterly powerless.

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Maybe so, but that poster did have a point. I don't blame ordinary Americans for this shitshow, but I do blame spineless government officials.

Original poster

expatme · 21/01/2026 19:11

P1nkPepper · 21/01/2026 19:09

I can’t believed how weak and spineless Americans are. Literally doing nothing, zilch! Well those in Minnesota are but the rest of the country sits back and does sfa.And then Newson who I thought had half a brain is berating European leaders for being spineless! Um have a look at your own countrymen first.

I actually think, to give him the benefit of the doubt, he was trying to warn European leaders not to buckle the way American politicians have.

But, literally, what do you suggest we do? I know I feel utterly powerless.

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Gahr · 21/01/2026 19:10

P1nkPepper · 21/01/2026 19:09

I can’t believed how weak and spineless Americans are. Literally doing nothing, zilch! Well those in Minnesota are but the rest of the country sits back and does sfa.And then Newson who I thought had half a brain is berating European leaders for being spineless! Um have a look at your own countrymen first.

Though to be fair, Newsom did annoy me. Sort out your own house before criticising others.

FringeTime · 21/01/2026 19:10

Most Trump voters don’t travel

Gahr · 21/01/2026 19:09

StarlightRobot · 21/01/2026 18:38

I don’t know because I’m not American, but I am starting to feel anger towards Americans, even democrats, for all of the failures that have allowed this madman to take control of the US and intimidate the rest of the world and for their failure to stop what is happening. At some stage Americans may need to be accountable.

To be fair, the US system doesn't allow for the people to have very much say. It is nominally a democracy, and it is supposed to have 'checks and balances' but they don't seem to work very well. And I can see why many are afraid to protest, given the brutality even of normal police, let alone riot cops and ICE. I'm not saying it's right, but it's understandable and I don't think it's fair to blame the people.

P1nkPepper · 21/01/2026 19:09

I can’t believed how weak and spineless Americans are. Literally doing nothing, zilch! Well those in Minnesota are but the rest of the country sits back and does sfa.And then Newson who I thought had half a brain is berating European leaders for being spineless! Um have a look at your own countrymen first.

Original poster

expatme · 21/01/2026 19:08

StarlightRobot · 21/01/2026 19:02

@expatme

Is there really nothing that Americans can do? I can’t imagine the British public tolerating a leader who was terrorising British people like ICE and who was threatening to invade the world. I also can’t imagine the British public tolerating the level of corruption that Trump is involved with, lining his pockets as he goes. The closest crazy person we had in power was Truss and she was sacked pretty quickly. I’m finding it hard to understand how Trump is able to continue- will there be a point when enough is enough, or will Americans just ride it out, regardless of the harm, abuse, unlawfulness, racism and corruption from Trump and his cronies?

Congress could choose to stop him at any moment. But as long as it's controlled by Republicans, it won't.

I guess take to the streets, donate to, and canvass for, good candidates, try to ensure the election is free and fair, bring lawsuits when appropriate. Other than impeachment and the 25th amendment (and hoping for a 'health event') there aren't any other real safeguards in the system. And in those instances, we'd end up with Vance, who is saner, but no better, imo.

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UpmingtonHeights · 21/01/2026 19:08

Ahhhblissful · 21/01/2026 15:14

Nope.

Ok. Can one assume you are ok with the US administration?

StarlightRobot · 21/01/2026 19:02

@expatme

Is there really nothing that Americans can do? I can’t imagine the British public tolerating a leader who was terrorising British people like ICE and who was threatening to invade the world. I also can’t imagine the British public tolerating the level of corruption that Trump is involved with, lining his pockets as he goes. The closest crazy person we had in power was Truss and she was sacked pretty quickly. I’m finding it hard to understand how Trump is able to continue- will there be a point when enough is enough, or will Americans just ride it out, regardless of the harm, abuse, unlawfulness, racism and corruption from Trump and his cronies?

Original poster

expatme · 21/01/2026 18:56

StarlightRobot · 21/01/2026 18:38

I don’t know because I’m not American, but I am starting to feel anger towards Americans, even democrats, for all of the failures that have allowed this madman to take control of the US and intimidate the rest of the world and for their failure to stop what is happening. At some stage Americans may need to be accountable.

Yes, I think that's part of it. I want to hold my hands up and say, it wasn't me, but I don't know how generous I'd be feeling if I was looking at it from the outside.

It feels a little like being an unwilling passenger in a car with a drunk driver who's running people over left and right and there's nothing you can do.

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WhatIsTheCharge · 21/01/2026 18:44

DH is American and he’s mortified.

Greenfinch7 · 21/01/2026 18:43

I'm embarrassed and horrified, as well as deeply upset, not because I feel personally implicated, but it is terrible to be associated with evil and selfishness.

To give an extreme example, think how Germans used to be ashamed of something that happened before they were born.

StarlightRobot · 21/01/2026 18:38

I don’t know because I’m not American, but I am starting to feel anger towards Americans, even democrats, for all of the failures that have allowed this madman to take control of the US and intimidate the rest of the world and for their failure to stop what is happening. At some stage Americans may need to be accountable.

Maddy70 · 21/01/2026 18:32

I have several American friends. They are all both embarrassed and horrified

NotMeAtAll · 21/01/2026 18:30

I know several American immigrants in Ireland. I don't think it would occur to them that anyone would think they're responsible. Why would they?

SquirrelFan · 21/01/2026 18:29

Yes.

JHound · 21/01/2026 18:27

All my American friends are (that live in UK, Europe, Oz) but none of them are Republican so maybe biased.

Original poster

expatme · 21/01/2026 18:26

Overtheatlantic · 21/01/2026 18:21

You’ve felt welcome? In England? Anyway, no, I don’t feel embarrassed having lived through the Boris Johnson years and knowing that Farage might well be the next PM. But I try to make sure my new work colleagues know that I’m very anti trump.

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Yes, very welcome, but we're in London, which is obviously pretty international, although I guess less so now than when we arrived, pre-Brexit. And, yeah, Johnson was hideous, but it was more the usual political corruption and lying for personal aggrandisement and power. And Farage is a nightmare, but he's not been elected - yet, anyway.

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Original poster

expatme · 21/01/2026 18:23

Ahhhblissful · 21/01/2026 18:20

I dont know the answers to your questions.
I think its a waiting game.
Im not a US citizen either.

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Were you a US citizen? If not, how do you consider yourself an American expat in the US/UK?

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ExpressCheckout · 21/01/2026 18:23

expatme · 21/01/2026 18:21

Well, I worry, even if I have no control, because, among other things, I have children and feel bad for how screwed up the world is. I don't think burying your head in the sand is going to do anyone any favours.

My answer is that everyone I know is horrified, and no one knows what will happen. Vance is certainly angling for it, and might well be in sooner rather than later, considering that Trump seems on the verge of being sectioned.

This administration certainly isn't popular at the moment. A lot of the craziness the world saw today has been on display domestically for quite a while. There are real concerns about whether there will be a free and fair election in 2026, and 2028 is anyone's guess, so I guess it's all pretty up in the air.

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Thanks for the information, that's a helpful perspective to hear.

Overtheatlantic · 21/01/2026 18:21

expatme · 21/01/2026 15:18

I know it's not my personal fault, but I feel so embarrassed that my country has released this monstrosity on the world. I really do.

We've lived in the UK for a long time and have always felt so welcomed here. I hate this.

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You’ve felt welcome? In England? Anyway, no, I don’t feel embarrassed having lived through the Boris Johnson years and knowing that Farage might well be the next PM. But I try to make sure my new work colleagues know that I’m very anti trump.

Original poster

expatme · 21/01/2026 18:21

ExpressCheckout · 21/01/2026 18:16

Fair enough. But, as a US citizen (I presume), where is this heading in the US in terms of mid-terms, the next election, and so on? Will Vance stand? Who will the Democrats hold up? What's the general feeling amongst US folks you know?

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Well, I worry, even if I have no control, because, among other things, I have children and feel bad for how screwed up the world is. I don't think burying your head in the sand is going to do anyone any favours.

My answer is that everyone I know is horrified, and no one knows what will happen. Vance is certainly angling for it, and might well be in sooner rather than later, considering that Trump seems on the verge of being sectioned.

This administration certainly isn't popular at the moment. A lot of the craziness the world saw today has been on display domestically for quite a while. There are real concerns about whether there will be a free and fair election in 2026, and 2028 is anyone's guess, so I guess it's all pretty up in the air.

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Ahhhblissful · 21/01/2026 18:20

ExpressCheckout · 21/01/2026 18:16

Fair enough. But, as a US citizen (I presume), where is this heading in the US in terms of mid-terms, the next election, and so on? Will Vance stand? Who will the Democrats hold up? What's the general feeling amongst US folks you know?

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I dont know the answers to your questions.
I think its a waiting game.
Im not a US citizen either.

ExpressCheckout · 21/01/2026 18:16

Ahhhblissful · 21/01/2026 18:06

I dont support trump i think power has gone to his head.
But why worry over things we have no control over.

Come to think of it, i dont support anyone in power.

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Fair enough. But, as a US citizen (I presume), where is this heading in the US in terms of mid-terms, the next election, and so on? Will Vance stand? Who will the Democrats hold up? What's the general feeling amongst US folks you know?

Ahhhblissful · 21/01/2026 18:06

Gahr · 21/01/2026 17:26

Out of interest, do you support Trump? If you don't, aren't you worried that people might think you might? I was very embarrassed to go to Europe after the Brexit vote, I hated what the UK had done. I wanted to tell everyone I met that I'd voted Remain! I would imagine that most non Trump supporting Americans probably feel the same as I did ten years ago.

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I dont support trump i think power has gone to his head.
But why worry over things we have no control over.

Come to think of it, i dont support anyone in power.