Trump.

[Roger Kettle]

I'm lost for words.

[Diane CBPFC]

I am lost in understanding - I often don't know what is a real news story and what is a meme/parody anymore.

[Roger Kettle]

Um...let me see...nope, still speechless.

[Diane CBPFC]

There is a lot more hope since your first post. Things could still go either way, but I see so many people of goodwill coming together and making a stand for humanity and the planet. 

[Mince]

Keep in mind that Americans elected this guy (or allowed him to be elected) twice.

The US has lost its moral high ground, the trust in its institutions, its leadership on the world stage, and the idea that it is a nation governed by laws, not men.

I no longer spend anywhere American (Starbucks, Costa, McDonalds, Morrisons) or on anything American. I also no longer watch American films or programmes.

Our family have had great fun discovering films and television from Canada, Australia, Japan, France, and other European companies.

I never knew just how pervasive and awful American culture was until Trump, so I guess I have him to thank for that.

Boots: owned by Walgreens Boots Alliance (US)
Waterstones: owned by Elliott Management (US hedge fund)
Costa Coffee: owned by The Coca-Cola Company (US)
TK Maxx: owned by TJX Companies (US)
Cadbury: owned by Mondelez International (US)
Walkers Crisps: owned by PepsiCo (US)
Irn-Bru: owned by AG Barr, but AG Barr is now part of Rockstar Energy (US)
Weetabix: owned by Post Holdings (US)
Kellogg’s owned by Kellogg Company (US)

[Roger Kettle]

I never judge a nation by its leader. I have American friends who are absolutely appalled by their president. Likewise, those who visited Russia for the World Cup a few years back have nothing but praise for the Russian people who couldn't have been more friendly and hospitable.
Trump is simply beyond belief.

[Mince]

I don’t judge the US by the Americans I know (most of whom not only support but encourage a boycott of the US). I judge them by the nation they’ve shaped.

When a nation repeatedly elects a leader who undermines global trust, democracy, and moral standards, it’s hard to separate the people from the consequences of their collective choices. My boycott isn’t about individuals: I am holding a system accountable. If two-thirds of a population enables someone like Trump twice, there has to be a response. I refuse to fund or engage with a culture that, at its core, has lost its way.

[Mince]

Have a look here for the views of Americans who are still not "absolutely appalled" by their president.

https://www.reddit.com/r/AskTrumpSupporters/

I put several of their topics into AI and this is its conclusion.

TRUMP SUPPORTER
A cynical, tribalist, hypocritical voter who prioritizes owning the libs, punishing the vulnerable, and rationalizing corruption, so long as it benefits their in-group, regardless of the cost to democracy, morality, or their own long-term well-being.


ACTUAL QUOTES

"So what?" (on Trump’s admitted dishonesty)

"We stopped caring [about Trump’s lies] 6 years ago." (normalizing corruption through apathy)

"I don’t care if he’s a bullshitter. He delivers for me." (results over morality, no matter how unethical)

"If you don’t like it, blame democracy." (shrugging off manipulation of the ignorant as just "how it is")

"We can go it alone if need be, Iran doesn’t stand a chance." (isolationist arrogance and warmongering in one breath)

"I’d rather copy bullfighting from Europe than healthcare." (mocking life-saving policies out of spite)

"No one can plausibly argue we got duped after a full 4 years." (sunk cost fallacy as a badge of honour)

"It’s not the government’s job to save its citizens from oneself or mother nature." (social Darwinism as governance)

[Roger Kettle]

Mince, my hope is that someone, somewhere leaks the entire Epstein files.