Discussing politics in work meetings isn't appropriate?

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This week I have been in several meetings at work where someone has mentioned the American elections. For example one meeting started off by saying 'so depressed about the American elections'. Another meeting someone said 'I am sure we all agree that the results are very worrying'. Then in a one to one, someone said to me 'I'm in such a rotten mood this week because of the election'. Now I didn't particularly like either candidate but I find this assumption that people feel they can assume everyone feels the same really annoying. To me this behaviour sends an indirect message that says 'you cannot/are not allowed to support Trump.' I don't particularly like him but I don't think people should talk about this in work meetings. Would you agree?

Agree. I kept my thoughts to myself about the uk elections when at work. But let rip to my family. As I did similarly about the previous government to my family. I did let rip at work about the budget and the negative impact of it on our business, because it’s my remit.

agree, especially as belief is a protected characteristic under Equality Act - it risks too many HR issues.

Is it a client meeting or colleague?

if internal do you have small groups where there is a few minutes of chat?

is it a large (faceless) organisation or are there 10-15 of you?

Not massively appropriate but it's just chat pre meeting. You don't have to listen or engage. Just get the meeting started.

It depends on whether his atrocious tariffs are going to affect your business. There would be plenty of reasons to discuss in work meetings the appalling result.

All internal with colleagues, yes some I know very well, though one meeting was with colleagues I don't closely work with, and two of the people in one of them who said this, I hadnt actually spoken to until that meeting, they are within the same department (it's a huge department) but I have never worked closely with them. I just found it strange they would freely say this in a group of people they don't know that well.

Commenting on the UK election like that would be inappropriate, but we're talking Trump here.

Depends on the culture of the organisation! There are lots of VERY heated political debates in my office. But it’s NI and people here love a good discussion.

People aren't robots. I don't see the harm unless they're trying to canvass you or something.

Agree her NI raid is atrocious

Yes I agree, it's not relevant to the situation.
In lockdown, WFH, in one of the interminable daily teams meetings, I was desperate for it to be over so I could have my breakfast. Two of the colleagues started talking politics, which was nothing to do with the meeting, and I couldn't help myself, I said If you're going to start getting political I'm logging off.

It's a very left wing organisation though same has happened with UK elections tbh. I don't think anyone would feel they could freely say if they were a Tory supporter either because that's the culture. Many are very openly Labour though.

Thanks for all comments so far btw. Interesting to know opinions. Maybe I am just very private and rarely engage with these discussions outside of the home.

They are just expressing their opinion. Free speech and all that.

Thankfully my staff have worked together a long time and believe in the right to free speech! Screaming arguments then kiss and make up! Although it can be stressful at times I love the honesty and trust my team have with each other.

It's the law. You have to follow.

It's the law. You have to follow.

Discussing foreign politics and policy has always been something people discuss. The election has made a lot of people feel unsafe. They should feel free to say it.

I'm with you OP. I assume you work for The Guardian? Haven't they all been offered counselling to cope with the election result?
On a serious note, it's a pure hypocrisy. They can say whatever but if you state any left deviating views you will be immediately branded a far right bigot.

Haha, no not the Guardian but similar culture! I agree, and what makes me uncomfortable is that it feels like a culture of 'free speech' as long as your speech aligns with theirs. Even if I agree with them in many things, I find myself almost not wanting to because it feels like I'm being forced to feel that way - there is no other option basically! It makes me wonder how they would treat an employee who openly admitted they supported Trump.

Trump somehow feels outside of the normal. I also don't love Harris, but expressing disgust at Trump feels kind of like expressing disgust at Putin (who certainly has his supporters, but most people in the UK seem to agree to dislike).

The technique used by politicians is called demonisation.