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News & politics

Never thought I’d hear this

(129 Posts)
nanna8 Wed 11-Mar-26 08:27:48

I am on a cruise with a lot of people from different countries at the moment. I was having a swim when I came across a small group of American women loudly extolling the virtues of ‘ wonderful Donald Trump’ who is ‘ a decisive businessman, just what we needed’ Strewth and stone the crows, I swam off quicksmart, but it made me think how very differently some of us look at things. Maybe they are right but not from my point of view of view.

Sarnia Wed 11-Mar-26 08:52:54

I can understand what those ladies meant if they are seeing improvements in work and conditions in the US because of Trump's administration.
I would also like to see a decisive businessman in this country, carrying out a thorough investigation into the NHS. Someone without a political agenda who could put this wonderful organisation back on track and save £m's in the process which could be better used elsewhere. It has been mismanaged by both main parties for decades and needs an urgent overhaul.

Graceless Wed 11-Mar-26 08:55:12

Trump was never a successful business man!

Sago Wed 11-Mar-26 08:56:14

Perhaps you should have asked them how his policies have affected them.

He is their President in their country and they voted for him.

I think I’m right in saying you are in Australia, that being the case you do not face the same issues as we do in Europe.

Cossy Wed 11-Mar-26 08:57:39

Graceless

Trump was never a successful business man!

No he certainly wasn’t and history proves this to be so.

Fallingstar Wed 11-Mar-26 08:59:54

He was a rubbish business man with several bankruptcies to his name. I know there are Americans who support him but none of our family in the US do or anyone they know. Also MAGA has lost quite a lot of supporters recently.

AGAA4 Wed 11-Mar-26 09:00:49

I'm guessing that those American women were on the wealthy side. Poorer Americans have been hit hard and harder still due to this war.

M0nica Wed 11-Mar-26 09:08:22

They must be very wealthy Americans, if they can go on cruises and not worry about the cost of their health insurance. I think the US has one ofthe shortest life expectancies in the developed world and older people end up bankrupt and living on the street with terminal illnesses because everything they ever had has been cnsumed by medical bills.

sixandahalf Wed 11-Mar-26 09:11:09

I believe people are working in Wallmart ( for example) in their 90's.

What a state of affairs.

Cossy Wed 11-Mar-26 09:14:21

sixandahalf

I believe people are working in Wallmart ( for example) in their 90's.

What a state of affairs.

I read an awful report just weeks ago from a woman living in NY, who’d had no power in her home for three months due to being disconnected for getting into debt.

Whiff Wed 11-Mar-26 09:22:24

I have friends in America through my HPX group they hate what Trump is doing . He's ruined health care ,everyone is frightened what the idiots going to do next . Some are worried there loved ones in the forces are going to be sent to war. Not one of Trump's family ever served. Like here prices for everything has gone up . Reagan was a better president they say even when he had Alzheimer's.
It's not just him but congressmen and senators.
They have said what news is allowed to leave the country is censored. Plus news going in is as well.

eazybee Wed 11-Mar-26 10:03:16

Why are you so surprised that there are some American residents who support Trump? After all, he was voted in by a majority.
There are people here who believe, or say they do, that Starmer is a good Prime Minister. He was voted in with a majority.
Different opinions.

Fartooold Wed 11-Mar-26 10:12:24

Well done for swimming away!!
My brother who is now an American is not impressed by his president. That is putting it politely!
Enjoy the rest of your holiday.

Lathyrus3 Wed 11-Mar-26 10:13:49

Um, just ant to say that Keir Starmer wasn’t voted in.

The Labour Party was voted in.

I know it must look like nitpuckng, but I think it is a real strength that the Prime Minister is just that. The leader of a cabinet of Ministers who would be able to step in and stop him if he started running amok!

eazybee Wed 11-Mar-26 10:20:40

Good.
Let us hope they do not leave it too long.

Allira Wed 11-Mar-26 10:30:23

I hope it's a large cruise ship, nanna8, so that you can avoid them in future!

Chocolatelovinggran Wed 11-Mar-26 11:54:58

Oh naana8, you showed great restraint.
You'll have to play Hide and Seek for the rest of the cruise to keep your sanity.

Cossy Wed 11-Mar-26 12:02:51

eazybee

Why are you so surprised that there are some American residents who support Trump? After all, he was voted in by a majority.
There are people here who believe, or say they do, that Starmer is a good Prime Minister. He was voted in with a majority.
Different opinions.

I find it quite hilarious that you are putting Trump and Starmer on an equal footing 🤣

Each to their own!

Cossy Wed 11-Mar-26 12:04:01

Lathyrus3

Um, just ant to say that Keir Starmer wasn’t voted in.

The Labour Party was voted in.

I know it must look like nitpuckng, but I think it is a real strength that the Prime Minister is just that. The leader of a cabinet of Ministers who would be able to step in and stop him if he started running amok!

Yes, a very important distinction between the UKs and the USAs political process

Gin Wed 11-Mar-26 12:21:58

A very interesting programme on BBC Radio 4 this morning about the rumblings of discontent amongst the saner element of the Republican party and an insight into the extreme anti Jewish/ black views of core members showing them as being non believers of the holocaust and stating that the Pilgrim Fathers founded America only for God loving white people! Some of the rhetoric was unbelievable.

I watched the very good episode of Katya Adler’s series about Europe last night . It was very informative and worrying. Germany, home of Trump ancestors are no lovers of the American president

eazybee Wed 11-Mar-26 12:50:46

Trump and Starmer are on a similar footing as they and their party were voted in by a majority of the electorate, however the Election was constructed, to be that country's leader.

Not imposed by a council.

Mollygo Wed 11-Mar-26 13:26:33

AGAA4

I'm guessing that those American women were on the wealthy side. Poorer Americans have been hit hard and harder still due to this war.

You could be right. All the Americans we’ve met on river cruises have been pleasant people, but they have spent a fortune to get onto the cruise, and think nothing of spending a lot more on optional excursions. Some are once in a lifetime cruisers but many have done multiples. The most criticism (mixed with sympathy) we heard about Trump was when BJ was our PM, but you did have to be careful who you were chatting with.

Pomgirl Wed 11-Mar-26 13:37:41

Well..it may not be your point of view..does not mean they are wrong..its their point of view.So you need to not be so controlling.Lighten up..its their opinion

Happygirl79 Wed 11-Mar-26 13:37:51

Graceless

Trump was never a successful business man!

He has been bankrupt many many times.

Missiseff Wed 11-Mar-26 13:47:20

He was voted in by a majority unfortunately. What I can't get my head around us WOMEN voting for him