Being an American Abroad in 2025

For years we traveled unconcerned about our identities as US citizens. Other than being sheepish about speaking only English in a world where other countries are so many people are multi-lingual, we certainly never felt embarrassed about our country of origin. In 2018, during Trump's first term, we traveled to Turkey and Malta. Bruce's wardrobe then included his “I Miss Obama” t-shirt, which prompted the occasional thumbs up sign from other Americans (including TSA employees), but was mostly a lighthearted display of his ideological preferences. Trump 2.0 has changed all that.

Now, meeting new people every day we feel the need to explain that our views do not reflect those of the ruling party of our country, an introduction we never imagined we would feel the need to make. Bruce's wardrobe more pointedly expresses our desire not to be lumped in with the (slim) majority of voters who allowed Trump to take power. He wears it while we travel as a statement and a conversation starter. Yesterday on the island of Madeira a middle-aged man approached us and showed us the screen on his phone, which displayed the headline that Wisconsin had elected a Democratic candidate for the state Supreme Court, saying, “Here is some news that will make you happy. I was not legal for eleven years and it was hard.” It was a wonderful, affirming moment.

We had another similar, lovely experience on the cruise ship. Princess Cruise Lines issues RFID medallions for room access and guest services. Bruce special ordered his with the color of the Ukraine flag (a portion of the cost was contributed by Princess to Ukraine aid). A middle-aged woman stepped into the elevator and said to him, “I'm a teacher in Canada and we have a lot of Ukrainian refugee students,” pointing to the blue and yellow medallion on his shirt, “I am so sorry about what is happening to your country.”

“I'm not from Ukraine,” Bruce replied. “This is a small sign of solidarity for their struggle. I'm from the United States. But I'm sorry about what is happening my country, too.”

 We feel some frustration that we cannot speak with more of our fellow citizens to get a sense of their reaction to the tumult of the last seventy-five days. Perhaps there is buyers' remorse that we are not hearing about, which would make us feel just a little better about what seems to be the worst electoral decision our country has made in our lifetimes. While we are on the road, though, we feel the need to let the rest of the world know that Trump's America is not our America.