Are you wary of travelling to USA currently?

[RosaMoline]

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!

I think they are headed for civil war tbh.

That’s what I’m thinking too.

I agree.

Not worried at all. We’ll still be going in the summer, as we do every year.

Is your DD LGB or T? I think that makes quite a difference.

LGB. Sorry I should’ve clarified.

Whilst politically speaking the US aren't amazing friends to us right now and yes, there are concerning things happening with the civil service and government agencies, it is not worse right now for casual travel than it was last year.
I worry about worsening divisions but I'd be very surprised if widespread unrest erupted in Florida (especially as it is indeed a red state). I'd think some blue cities might be first to see that kind of stuff. The US is a massive place. I think you'll be fine. Don't think about orange man and enjoy yourself.

In which case I wouldn't worry and would head off to Florida.

I was there two weeks after the election. All was exactly as it usually is . FL was just normal. But they voted for him . If you'd prefer FL go it's fine .

No. I'd happily go to America.
Civil war, Jesus🤣

Thank you, but we’ve made the decision to go to the Paris one now 100%. I was just interested in finding out other MNetters views.
Like I said, I’m not usually the sort of person to worry about anything like this.
It sounds ridiculous, but I just have/had a really bad feeling about going there. I know that sounds irrational. A real sense of unease.

I think you're massively overreacting and worrying. Even seeing your update. They aren't anti-LGBT+ they just aren't prioritising or giving them special treatment anymore.

Go and enjoy your trip

For those who believe the US is headed for a civil war May I ask why you believe that? Not just a feeling but actual facts that lead you to reach that belief. Many thanks.

I hear you. I have friends from minority backgrounds who don't want to travel there anymore, not even for work, so you're not alone. Disney in Paris is really good too :)

We’re not going either. Sadly, as I really do not like DL Paris. But enough is enough.

Last time in the bag search queue to Magic Kingdom there was a man who was fighting because he couldn’t take his gun in to the park. He had to leave it in his car, which he refused to because he had the right to defend himself and his family he said.

I'm not convinced of a civil war but equally, I think the United States of America has never been so divided.

What Trump has failed to realise is that he is the President for every citizen, not just those who are his MAGA fans.

Literally yesterday on camera, his right hand man Steve Bannon did a nazi salute - as did Elon at the inaugoration. That shit cannot be left unsaid or uncriticised

Oh my god! (about the gun)
😳😳😳

Rise of facism, DOGE erasing public workers left right and centre, Trump basically declaring war on multiple nations, calling himself King, making unilateral decisions that go against their constitution, declaring that no one can speak against him.

He’s setting himself up as a dictator (a puppet one at that), and the American constitution is designed to prevent a dictator or King arising. The people are constitutionally allowed to overthrow that. That basically means civil war.

I couldn’t believe we were seeing another nazi salute! 😳😳😳

I travel plenty there for work and am worried that Trump has made it more 'socially acceptable' to be verbally aggressive towards minorities (and have heard from colleagues that this seems to be on the up ~ I haven't been over yet since the inauguration).

I'll go again next month and am not worried as a white woman (I'm bi but this obviously isn't visible or something I'm super open about) heading to a more liberal city. That being said, I'm holding off on taking DS (who is clearly mixed race and bizarrely 'looks very Mexican' despite that not being true at all!) for a while after some negative experiences in Florida in December.

Do not go they won’t need you or your money. Go somewhere where your values aligned. You seem way too old to be in a place where you do not want to be. However, they will be ok either way if you go or not. Plus, there does not seem to be a running hysteria about not going.

I have no current plans to go but I wouldn’t be put off no.

Talk of a civil war is mental - the present administration were democratically elected. It’s not the first or last time they’ll elect a government whose values don’t align with mine.

Yeah, our teenagers watched it very quietly. He claimed the gun would be stolen if he left it in his car.

I think the people doing the bag searches are ex police men/military, from what I’ve heard.

What terrifies me isn't the salute itself - its the people tying themselves in knots to defend it.

If you have to try and defend/justify someone doing a FUCKING NAZI SALUTE you are on the wrong side of history.

I don't care about Trump putting America's interests first. In actual fact, I think thats what every politician SHOULD be doing in reality. But the lies, the gaslighting, the actual NAZISM is just beyond disgusting.

I sincerely hope not and I think we are definitely a long way from that but a couple of very concerning factual elements:

1. read up on the lead up to the Civil War - very interesting parallels in terms of opposing notions (ideological, political and economic). In a way, I keep thinking that Trump is the Confederacy's revenge...
2. a power grab of the executive branch involving non-governmental, unelected players (Musk) with constant and purposeful undermining of the US constitution.
3. reversal of strategic alliances (support of Russia)
4. a complete re-definition of what American values stand for and what the US stands for in the world - the soft power that America used to wield has died a swift and brutal death through the end of various agencies and initiatives like USAID (ID stands for international development). Millions of people have been left in the lurch. And of course the outrageous Gaza 'proposal'. This point is concerning because I've had first hand conversations with loyal Republicans who could never forgive Biden for the debacle leaving Afghanistan in disarray. How do you think they feel about Trump supporting Russia against Ukraine? How does that make the country look? Like Putin's poodle and they hate it. Of course, there is a difference between the MAGA crowd (quasi death cult) and regular Republicans.
5. a (for now) stunned opposition that is struggling to counter the shock and awe tactics because they are still trying to uphold a rules-based approach - which the other side shits on from a dizzy height. They haven't ramped up their efforts yet but we should absolutely worry when they do because it might get ugly then. Or be too late.
6. If it is indeed too late by the time the opposition rallies enough support to counter the constitutional havoc being wreaked as we speak, what's left?...