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Politics

Any Americans on here? What is the feeling in America regarding trump?

394 replies

FedUpWithDilemmas · 17/01/2026 17:46

I've only seen one person talking out against him regarding Greenland. I know this can't be representative to reality. But I wonder what the media is controlling

What's going on in America?

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Goldwren1923 · 18/01/2026 16:07

ElaineBurdock · 18/01/2026 16:00

Since you asked; Trump is doing what's best for American interests.

The world media has always been against him, so anything he does gets an extremely negative spin.

His deportations compared to Obama's for example.
Obama deported more than 3 million illegal immigrants between 2009 and 2016. Most removals were completed without a hearing before an immigration judge. No fuss was made back then.

Our illegal immigration problem is worse than ever before because Biden and Harris allowed our southern border to be wide open for years. Millions of people from all over the world, poured in, so Trump has got his work cut out for him to undo this damage. Big fuss made.

Billions of U.S. taxpayers $$$$ is being send to Somalia.

Greenland; there has been land buying or taking land by force for many years by many countries. Well known examples of places bought by the U.S, Alaska from Russia, Virgin Islands from Denmark, the Louisiana purchase from France.

A Dutchman bought Manhattan from the native Americans for 24 bucks.

Many countries control locations to ensure their national security and facilitate global trade. Greenland is a strategic location for the U.S. to protect itself and Europe.

Other strategic locations which are controlled by various countries are;
Strait of Gibraltar, Turkish Straits, Bab el-Mandeb Strait, Panama Canal, Suez Canal.

UK wanted to control Crimea to stop Russia expansion which threatened British interests.

I believe Trump sees the current crop of European leaders as unreliable and weak. (Example, they allowing boats to bring many thousands of undocumented young men into their countries, and then $$$$$$$ supporting them they get there). He doesn't trust the European leaders to keep Greenland secure.

Trump is a business man, not a politician, and he's making deals that are in America's best interests and doesn't care if he hurts feelings. He's already hated.

I'm a worn-out woman in her 70's, who's the mum to a nonverbal 3 year old whom I've been raising since he was 2 months old. He's waking up right now (I'm Pacific time) so I can't stick around to argue the points I made. I also try to keep out of politics on mums net.

That’s a prime example of non-informed 70 year old who never understood that post WWII all the countries agreed not to take land by force from each other and set out some principles of international law and UN to try to sort this out. So all examples of countries taking over territories by force or purchasing them were before and are completely irrelevant now (not to mention that say sale of Alaska was absolutely voluntary and US wasn’t even keen on buying it - there were debates that they overpaid!).

etc etc

Goldwren1923 · 18/01/2026 16:18

Also a businessman is doing deal with those who want to do deals. Threatening a war to make someone sell Greenland to you is not what a businessman would do. There are certainly examples of leaders who did that, for example Hitler 😂

GeneralPeter · 18/01/2026 16:19

@nylon2026 I’d have voted Kamala, I’ve traditionally considered myself a dem in US politics (centre right in UK politics). When I lived in the US I had a portrait of a dem president on display. I think Trump is a calamitous president.

What would have been the point of me writing a list of Republican examples of stupidity to Goldwren when she is already convinced of that?

My point is to comment on info bubbles, and you rejecting them all out of hand as isn’t really persuading me that there’s no issue. You think all my examples are false?

On info-bubbles in higher ed, here is how faculty skews at elite schools. Does this look like a model of intellectual and political diversity to you? [image to follow]. It’s not an age-old phenomenon either. This has happened in recent decades.

GeneralPeter · 18/01/2026 16:22

Blue = dem faculty, Red = repub faculty.

Any Americans on here? What is the feeling in America regarding trump?
MrsBennetsPoorNervesAreBack · 18/01/2026 16:33

hahagogomomo · 18/01/2026 08:24

I have an American friend actively trying to leave by only dating Canadians (lives near the border) and another moving to France in March (she’s a dual National via her mum) she’s 71 and can’t stand it any more, her dc already live in 3 different European countries one left during the first Trump innings and the other 2 in the past year, but not every American has options like this

Perhaps we'll have to start offering them asylum soon?

GeneralPeter · 18/01/2026 16:37

Goldwren1923 · 18/01/2026 16:02

If you really want to know my academic record, I obviously have a bachelor’s degree (on scholarship), but also qualified as a lawyer in two different countries and have a masters in finance.

what you are saying about the democrats - you think the right/republicans don’t shut out and drive out those who don’t conform to their views? lol.
i have personally been taught in a state schools that evolution is just a theory 😂 they teach creationism on par with evolution in non-religious schools. You think there is no ostracism for different views on gay marriage, abortion and women’s rights? Come on. Do you know how much work republicans did in red states to disenfranchise the democratic leaning voters?

and yes they have been wrong economically in some ways but so have been republicans. I just don’t understand this line of argument.

however Trump isn’t really a republican either. He’s a populist, he says WHATEVER, and then does the opposite Eg he campaigned on not getting involved in foreign lands and what did he just do with Venezuela and threatens to do in Iran? That’s completely against his own campaign promises. Do you recall him campaigning on starting a war with Denmark and NATO to take over Greenland?

I don't really disagree with what you've written. But my point was not that republicans don't do this, it's that: i) democrats do it a lot also (because they are human too) without seeming to really notice it, and ii) the tendency to see only the other side's politics as resulting from stupidity/ignorance/selfishness is really damaging and hinders the search for truth / actual good policy.

Also, in educated circles of the type we probably both move in, I have barely ever heard a conservative or republican say in serious discussion that the reason their political opponents differ from them is because they are stupid or immoral (it must have happened at some point, but I literally cannot remember an instance of it). Whereas it's fairly common to hear that in real life from democrats / progressives, in serious discussion. Obviously, sometimes ignorance / stupidity does play a part, but it's not a one-sided issue. Amongst serious people, democrats often do seem to think it's all the explanation that is needed for why others differ, in a way that I haven't experienced from republicans / conservatives.

(I know there are millions of republicans calling democrats libtards on X. I'm not a republican, and not here to defend that, but it seems to me to be a different thing. 'They are all idiots' from those posters is an insult. From quite a few democrats I know, it seems to be their actual explaination of the political world).

nylon2026 · 18/01/2026 16:43

GeneralPeter · 18/01/2026 16:22

Blue = dem faculty, Red = repub faculty.

Ah, a study by Mitchell Langbert. The same one who 'joked' that sexual assault was a rite of passage during the Kavanaugh hearings? Did he hold onto his job in the end?

I'm not fully au fait with that survey, but a quick google shows some, at least questionable methodology. While there is a liberal bias in academia, I suspect it more closely mirrors that of PhD holders in general. I think something like 25% identify as conservative?

I can assure you, on a practical level, conservative, even reactionary, speech may have been met with objections, but it was not stifled at the institutions I went to. There was, however, a lot of whining when it was met with pushback.

Has Penn managed to get around to firing that law professor who openly asserted that black people were less intelligent?

Shall we talk about TPUSA?

nylon2026 · 18/01/2026 16:52

GeneralPeter · 18/01/2026 16:37

I don't really disagree with what you've written. But my point was not that republicans don't do this, it's that: i) democrats do it a lot also (because they are human too) without seeming to really notice it, and ii) the tendency to see only the other side's politics as resulting from stupidity/ignorance/selfishness is really damaging and hinders the search for truth / actual good policy.

Also, in educated circles of the type we probably both move in, I have barely ever heard a conservative or republican say in serious discussion that the reason their political opponents differ from them is because they are stupid or immoral (it must have happened at some point, but I literally cannot remember an instance of it). Whereas it's fairly common to hear that in real life from democrats / progressives, in serious discussion. Obviously, sometimes ignorance / stupidity does play a part, but it's not a one-sided issue. Amongst serious people, democrats often do seem to think it's all the explanation that is needed for why others differ, in a way that I haven't experienced from republicans / conservatives.

(I know there are millions of republicans calling democrats libtards on X. I'm not a republican, and not here to defend that, but it seems to me to be a different thing. 'They are all idiots' from those posters is an insult. From quite a few democrats I know, it seems to be their actual explaination of the political world).

Edited

I mean, it is an explanation of a decent percentage of a percentage.

I think it's hard to have a real discussion about whether certain views are underrepresented on elite campuses without talking about how and why that's being weaponised by an administration with as little interest as humanly possible in a free and fair airing of opinions. I mean, the welding of the anti-semitism weapon by an administration literally using Nazi slogans is a bit ironic, surely?

But the truth is that other than the JD Vance/project 2025 people, an awful lot of the conservatives in the circles you're talking about no longer identify as Republicans. If you look at the Frums/David Frenchs/Bill Kristols of the world, they've mostly abandoned ship. Despite still holding some beliefs that would be broadly aligned with past conservative/Republican views.

Did you read this piece? Very interesting take. Share link provided

https://www.nytimes.com/2025/12/29/opinion/harvards-campus-speech-trump.html?unlocked_article_code=1.FVA.GHxD.2MLIXjOD5xww&smid=url-share

Opinion | At Harvard and Elsewhere, the New Campus Orthodoxy Is Even More Stifling

Wasn’t this supposed to be the golden era of free expression on college campuses?

https://www.nytimes.com/2025/12/29/opinion/harvards-campus-speech-trump.html?smid=url-share&unlocked_article_code=1.FVA.GHxD.2MLIXjOD5xww

GameofPhones · 18/01/2026 16:52

WhatIsTheCharge · 18/01/2026 15:42

Nail on the head.

Up until our very recent return to the U.K., I was living in a state that’s been predominately red forever, with a couple of liberal cities scattered - I lived in the suburbs of one of those liberal cities.
I feel exactly the same as you. I’m not an American citizen (my DH is), I’m a green card holder, and even in my liberal city, seeing the ICE presence increase over the past few months drastically changed the vibe. My DCs attended a school that was predominately black and Hispanic students. It’s a Title 1 school, and it’s safe to say that a small proportion of the students have undocumented parents. I was terrified every single day that ICE would show up at or near the school - because let’s be honest, at this point it doesn’t really matter if you’re documented or undocumented. If you’re not white, or you speak with an accent that’s not obviously an American accent, you are a target. I sat my kids down and told them that if anybody you don’t recognise as teachers or admin staff at school try to talk to you or ask questions about you or any of your friends? Then you don’t know nothing about nothing. The only thing out of your mouth will be: “I want my parents here”.
It reached a point where attendance (particularly of the Hispanic students) noticeably dropped. There were less and less parents attending award assemblies and sports events etc
Its not supposed to be like this 😔

I read that even indigenous American Indians are being hauled off by ICE. Anyone who looks 'different' in other words. Sounds like Germany under Nazism.

GeneralPeter · 18/01/2026 17:07

nylon2026 · 18/01/2026 16:43

Ah, a study by Mitchell Langbert. The same one who 'joked' that sexual assault was a rite of passage during the Kavanaugh hearings? Did he hold onto his job in the end?

I'm not fully au fait with that survey, but a quick google shows some, at least questionable methodology. While there is a liberal bias in academia, I suspect it more closely mirrors that of PhD holders in general. I think something like 25% identify as conservative?

I can assure you, on a practical level, conservative, even reactionary, speech may have been met with objections, but it was not stifled at the institutions I went to. There was, however, a lot of whining when it was met with pushback.

Has Penn managed to get around to firing that law professor who openly asserted that black people were less intelligent?

Shall we talk about TPUSA?

Ah, a study by Mitchell Langbert. The same one who joked [...]

This feels like an antibody response: repel the objectionable view by showing that the person offering it is bad (or stupid is the other one). Not a truth-focused response of: to what extent is the claim true?

Plenty of others studies, e.g. Gross & Simmons, Langbert, Abrams, Kaufman & Yancey, finding strong skews.

While there is a liberal bias in academia

I'm glad we agree. I think it's at a level that, were the parties reversed, would be seen by most democrats as indicative of an information bubble.

...it was not stifled at the institutions I went to....

I can't comment on your personal experience, but I think any fair reading would acknowledge plenty of examples of speech being suppressed at US universities, for what are ultimately political reasons.

Has Penn managed to get around to firing that law professor...

Thanks for providing an example so swiftly. Suspended, reprimanded, had her chairship removed for making politically unpalatable claims.

Prof Glenn Loury (a black man) on why the punishing of her is for ideological, not academic, reasons.

https://glennloury.substack.com/p/amy-wax-the-real-reason-penn-is-punishing

Her view is, essentially, one that gives credence to a hereditarian explanation of tested IQ differences at population level. The other main explanation is the environmental one, and it's a highly contested and sensitive area of enquiry.

Can you give me an example of an academic, from anywhere across US academia, suspended for giving credence to the environmental explanation?

GeneralPeter · 18/01/2026 17:13

nylon2026 · 18/01/2026 16:52

I mean, it is an explanation of a decent percentage of a percentage.

I think it's hard to have a real discussion about whether certain views are underrepresented on elite campuses without talking about how and why that's being weaponised by an administration with as little interest as humanly possible in a free and fair airing of opinions. I mean, the welding of the anti-semitism weapon by an administration literally using Nazi slogans is a bit ironic, surely?

But the truth is that other than the JD Vance/project 2025 people, an awful lot of the conservatives in the circles you're talking about no longer identify as Republicans. If you look at the Frums/David Frenchs/Bill Kristols of the world, they've mostly abandoned ship. Despite still holding some beliefs that would be broadly aligned with past conservative/Republican views.

Did you read this piece? Very interesting take. Share link provided

https://www.nytimes.com/2025/12/29/opinion/harvards-campus-speech-trump.html?unlocked_article_code=1.FVA.GHxD.2MLIXjOD5xww&smid=url-share

Thanks. I haven't had a chance yet but look forward to reading.

I am fully against Trump's anti-free-speech drive, as much as the progressive version that preceded it.

nylon2026 · 18/01/2026 17:42

GeneralPeter · 18/01/2026 17:07

Ah, a study by Mitchell Langbert. The same one who joked [...]

This feels like an antibody response: repel the objectionable view by showing that the person offering it is bad (or stupid is the other one). Not a truth-focused response of: to what extent is the claim true?

Plenty of others studies, e.g. Gross & Simmons, Langbert, Abrams, Kaufman & Yancey, finding strong skews.

While there is a liberal bias in academia

I'm glad we agree. I think it's at a level that, were the parties reversed, would be seen by most democrats as indicative of an information bubble.

...it was not stifled at the institutions I went to....

I can't comment on your personal experience, but I think any fair reading would acknowledge plenty of examples of speech being suppressed at US universities, for what are ultimately political reasons.

Has Penn managed to get around to firing that law professor...

Thanks for providing an example so swiftly. Suspended, reprimanded, had her chairship removed for making politically unpalatable claims.

Prof Glenn Loury (a black man) on why the punishing of her is for ideological, not academic, reasons.

https://glennloury.substack.com/p/amy-wax-the-real-reason-penn-is-punishing

Her view is, essentially, one that gives credence to a hereditarian explanation of tested IQ differences at population level. The other main explanation is the environmental one, and it's a highly contested and sensitive area of enquiry.

Can you give me an example of an academic, from anywhere across US academia, suspended for giving credence to the environmental explanation?

Edited

I don't have time for a long reply as we have friends arriving for dinner, and I understand the academic freedom article, but you've greatly understated Amy Wax's problematic statements and behaviour.

https://www.nytimes.com/2023/03/13/us/upenn-law-professor-racism-freedom-speech.html?unlocked_article_code=1.FVA.nhSR.jP_-A8wuYJ-r&smid=url-share

The University of Pennsylvania law school has been roiled by the statements of a law professor.

UPenn Accuses a Law Professor of Racist Statements. Should She Be Fired? (Published 2023)

Amy Wax and free speech groups say the university is trampling on her academic freedom. Students ask whether her speech deserves to be protected.

https://www.nytimes.com/2023/03/13/us/upenn-law-professor-racism-freedom-speech.html?smid=url-share&unlocked_article_code=1.FVA.nhSR.jP_-A8wuYJ-r

oscalo · 18/01/2026 17:59

On a very simplistic level, Reds are always going to be Red, and Blues going to be Blue. So unless Reds cool the jets, or Dems cool their enthusiasm for things that are not no 1 importance to people, and focus on the practicals, then will anything change?

The Dems are just a few years out from the next Presidential election. I haven't seen or heard anyone push any likely candidates yet. Have you? Maybe it's more prominent on the ground in the US, I don't know.

So unfortunately (or fortunately) depending on your stance, will there really be a swing big enough to move to a Democratic Presidency? What will that look like anyway, will it be all liberal and transy or will it focus on the people instead of ideology? I don't know. Reds kind of know what they vote for, like it or not, Dems seem to be all over the place.

But I do hope the Dems get the next shot in the White House, and stay there for a few terms too! It is needed for cleansing I think. But it could end up being as much a disaster as the Trump Administration. Depends on the candidate and how s/he fires up the nation with peaceful, fair, and attainable policies

WhatIsTheCharge · 18/01/2026 18:16

GameofPhones · 18/01/2026 16:52

I read that even indigenous American Indians are being hauled off by ICE. Anyone who looks 'different' in other words. Sounds like Germany under Nazism.

Yeah there was a case in either Arizona or New Mexico (can’t remember which!) sometime last year where a group of children who were all Tribal ID-carrying members of the Navajo Nation were on a school trip, and they all got stopped and temporarily detained by ICE until it was established that they were in fact Native American.
No one can say they weren’t stopped because of what they look like. That’s the only reason.

Hanginging · 18/01/2026 18:27

I think that can happen. I noticed that Facebook started showing me things that were definitely the opposite to my political views. Not just the opposite, but really repugnant stuff. I worked out that I was slowing scrolling when I would see something like that and I think they’ve actually adjusted the algorithms to notice when you’re looking at something. Which is horrific. It’s the equivalent of turning your head when you see a car crash on the other side of the road before realising what you’re looking at.

The scary thing is, I would actually like to keep reasonable stuff in my feed that are the alternative views, I don’t want to be in an echo chamber. But the other side is so horrific at the moment, with zero intelligent discussion that it’s just horrendous to look at.

Hanginging · 18/01/2026 18:30

oscalo · 18/01/2026 17:59

On a very simplistic level, Reds are always going to be Red, and Blues going to be Blue. So unless Reds cool the jets, or Dems cool their enthusiasm for things that are not no 1 importance to people, and focus on the practicals, then will anything change?

The Dems are just a few years out from the next Presidential election. I haven't seen or heard anyone push any likely candidates yet. Have you? Maybe it's more prominent on the ground in the US, I don't know.

So unfortunately (or fortunately) depending on your stance, will there really be a swing big enough to move to a Democratic Presidency? What will that look like anyway, will it be all liberal and transy or will it focus on the people instead of ideology? I don't know. Reds kind of know what they vote for, like it or not, Dems seem to be all over the place.

But I do hope the Dems get the next shot in the White House, and stay there for a few terms too! It is needed for cleansing I think. But it could end up being as much a disaster as the Trump Administration. Depends on the candidate and how s/he fires up the nation with peaceful, fair, and attainable policies

So unfortunately (or fortunately) depending on your stance, will there really be a swing big enough to move to a Democratic Presidency? What will that look like anyway, will it be all liberal and transy or will it focus on the people instead of ideology? I don't know. Reds kind of know what they vote for, like it or not, Dems seem to be all over the place.

I agree that the Democrats need to get it together with credible candidates. If only the Republicans would as well. But on the ‘liberal and transy’ thing - I’m gender critical, but not to the point of voting for a rapist madman hellbent on violently annexing other countries. And I think most Democrats at the moment are more concerned with people being violently assaulted on the streets and the country careening towards war than being ‘liberal and transy.’

Hanginging · 18/01/2026 18:42

MigratingSwans · 18/01/2026 09:51

How comfortable do you think Trump supporters would feel expressing their support in your community?

Oh haha, well, they’re not known for their shyness… Often they have Trump signs in their gardens along with something along the lines that will let you know they have guns and are happy to use them. I don’t have flags or signs outside my house 😊

They have stickers and US flags on their cars. Some of them like to wear a MAGA hat. They comment underneath any social media post about anything. It can be a completely unrelated post by our local government or the state governor and they take the chance to use the laughing emoji and something derogatory below.

I mean, it’s almost quite funny that you’re worried about them feeling too shy to speak up. Their president is in power and using his own forces against citizens.

I’ve just thought though, they used to go on a lot about their guns and their right to bear arms and their constitutional rights - often underneath a post about the latest school shooting. They don’t seem to be talking about constitutional rights so much now, I suppose Trump is riding roughshod over those so maybe they feel like it’s better not to mention it right now.

Hanginging · 18/01/2026 18:49

A few of these have happened. The one in my brother’s state made the news because she’s well-known. she was waiting at a bus stop and just pulled over and started to question her. In the interview, she said that he had his hand on his weapon while doing so. She was telling them that she was Native American and could show them her tribal ID. This was after they smashed the window of a car in the town to drag somebody out. They had no reason to stop her, they just noticed the colour of her skin.

YourGoldSquid · 18/01/2026 19:03

nylon2026 · 18/01/2026 11:33

Sorry? Not sure I'm understand you, but I'll try.

I'm asking a specific question. @YourGoldSquid asserted that one of the reasons American support Trump and what's happening is due to their overwhelming concern about an alleged lack of free speech in the UK. So I'm curious about this:

I assume those Americans you reference above who are so worried about a lack of free speech in the UK, were beyond appalled by JD Vance's suggestion that people be terminated from their jobs for that (criticising Charlie Kirk post-assassination)?

And please note, I did not imply at any point that I'm in favour of murdering anyone for anything they've said. But surely those who approve should be entitled to their free speech? Since we're such absolutists.

@YourGoldSquid Any response?

I don't want to overstate that. I'm only suggesting that Americans are sensitive to this kind of thing.

I mean, Posey Parker, Lineman, JK Rowling are doing the Lord's work to protect women's rights. And they are attacked and harassed by the state. I deeply respect what these people are doing and I find it discouraging that the UK, the literal beacon of free speech in the world, are attacking them for promoting biological reality. Similar stuff happens here. I feel like we are all in clown world.

I think I mentioned this above, but the single most effective Trump add was "Kamala is for they/them, Trump is for you." Centrists and right-wing Americans are tired of being called bigots for trying to protect our daughters right to not have predatory and fetishistic men in the ladies room.

I love the UK. Especially its philosophers and thinkers. So it is just really surprising to see the the move towards Continental philosophy of the French and Germans. Many Americans feel a kinship with the UK. We have a shared system of values. We recognize the sacrifices the UK makes as an ally of the US. We see the UK history of opposing slavery. Progression of voting rights in the 18th century. Some would like to see more unity in the Anglosphere. More trade, perhaps free trade.

Sorry for the ramble.

Hanginging · 18/01/2026 19:08

YourGoldSquid · 18/01/2026 19:03

I don't want to overstate that. I'm only suggesting that Americans are sensitive to this kind of thing.

I mean, Posey Parker, Lineman, JK Rowling are doing the Lord's work to protect women's rights. And they are attacked and harassed by the state. I deeply respect what these people are doing and I find it discouraging that the UK, the literal beacon of free speech in the world, are attacking them for promoting biological reality. Similar stuff happens here. I feel like we are all in clown world.

I think I mentioned this above, but the single most effective Trump add was "Kamala is for they/them, Trump is for you." Centrists and right-wing Americans are tired of being called bigots for trying to protect our daughters right to not have predatory and fetishistic men in the ladies room.

I love the UK. Especially its philosophers and thinkers. So it is just really surprising to see the the move towards Continental philosophy of the French and Germans. Many Americans feel a kinship with the UK. We have a shared system of values. We recognize the sacrifices the UK makes as an ally of the US. We see the UK history of opposing slavery. Progression of voting rights in the 18th century. Some would like to see more unity in the Anglosphere. More trade, perhaps free trade.

Sorry for the ramble.

I mean, Posey Parker, Lineman, JK Rowling are doing the Lord's work to protect women's rights. And they are attacked and harassed by the state. I deeply respect what these people are doing and I find it discouraging that the UK, the literal beacon of free speech in the world, are attacking them for promoting biological reality. Similar stuff happens here. I feel like we are all in clown world.

I’m all for them promoting biological reality. 100%. But I’ve been kind of shocked by what Linehan has posted recently. Before I thought he was just a bit blunt and thoughtless sometimes, which I get based on the onslaught he’s had for his opinions. But the recent anti-women stuff on X - I actually wondered if he’d been hacked to start with.

YourGoldSquid · 18/01/2026 19:14

Fertilityrealisation · 18/01/2026 11:50

Putin wants Ukraine for the same reason Trump wants Greenland. It’s all about natural resources. This is also why he took Venezuela. Parasitical Behaviour.

This is categorically untrue re: Venezuala. They ship sanctioned oil to Russia and other autocratic states. This is a violation of UN resolutions. But if you aren't going to enforce the resolution, why even bother?

Will America and British oil companies benefit. Sure. But their property was seized and stolen by Chavez when he gained power. Do we really want to go to bat for a regime that seizes private property and sends fentynl to the US. I don't know about the UK, but the US has a problem. People are dying on our streets. I saw a homeless man being put into an ambulance yesterday from what looked like an overdose.

Taking out Maduro weakens Russia. Isn't that the whole point of the Ukraine war? And yet we complain when the US actually does something to squeeze Putin. Sure, hate Trump. He's a disaster. But if he promotes good policy in some situations, like the EOs banning Private Equity firms from buying single family homes. Or that he issues an EO enabling Medicare/Medicade to negotiate drug prices. These are objectively good things that will directly lower prices for Americans. Same thing with American auto standards. He removed weakened them because they led directly to unsafe and expensive cars. He's expanded mining for working-class people.

YourGoldSquid · 18/01/2026 19:23

Nesbi · 18/01/2026 11:51

This idea that Trump speaks to the common man is just baffling. He will exploit them for the power they give him, when he can stand on a platform and address them as the formless mass they are, but as real people, as individuals with lives and hopes and fears and dreams - it’s not just that he doesn’t care about them, he clearly loathes them.

Is he building his ballroom for Americas poor and huddled masses? Are his weekends spent in soup kitchens, or talking to normal people about their lives? No, if he’s not playing golf he is holed up in his Mar a Lago palace, shitting on golden toilets and ensuring that the only people who can get close to him are already dripping with money and power. You just know how he speaks about ordinary people when the microphones are off - they mean nothing apart from the use he can make of them.

That this is not obvious to every ordinary American is a mystery that should be studied - how can people be so masochistic!

State dinners are currently held on the White House lawn. That is embarrassing. The ballroom is primarily intended to host proper state dinners for world leaders.

But look at his policies. He may not like the common man, but he's putting them ahead of private equity firms. He's directly lowering drug prices. Trump is essentially implementing Democratic policies from 20-25 years ago.

Just because Trump does it doesn't mean it is bad. I didn't vote for Obama, but I loved him as President. He's a moral man. No scandals. Never engaged with Epstein. For better or worse, when our leaders succeed, we succeed. Why would anyone lobby against their own country and root for their leaders to fail. It is utter madness. If we don't support certain policies, we should remain the loyal opposition.

It has been so fascinating to see the Dems go from representing working class people to being the party of the educated elite in a 20 year span.

bombastix · 18/01/2026 19:24

It is axiomatic that every US president who is elected talks about the uniting the country.

Trump is the only US president I have ever heard talk about Americans fighting each other.

In the same way, he divides alliances and people. If he makes his own countrymen fight each other he will destroy the place. Even if done out of opportunism.

TooBigForMyBoots · 18/01/2026 19:29

My American friends and family tell me the MAGAs they know are being unusually quiet, with a few now expressing real fear for their children as well as their country.

A lot of people are concerned he has dementia.