The question wasn’t about American politics, not directly. It was about fear. Sitting in a small café in Amsterdam, a friend – a lifelong social democrat and keen observer of global affairs – asked me, with genuine concern, “Are they going to be okay?” The “they” was the United States and the question hung in the air, heavy with a dread I hadn’t encountered in previous conversations with Europeans about American policy. My recent travels through Germany, the Netherlands, England, and Wales revealed a profound shift in perception: a move beyond criticism to genuine anxiety about the future of American democracy and its role in the world.
What I found wasn’t the familiar transatlantic debate over foreign policy or economic practices. It was a visceral reaction to what many Europeans see as a deliberate dismantling of democratic norms and institutions, accelerated during the second administration of Donald Trump. The damage, they believe, will take years, perhaps a generation, to repair. This isn’t simply disagreement; it’s a fear that the United States, once a beacon of liberal democracy, is undergoing a dangerous transformation.
A History of Criticism, Now Tempered with Alarm
Having lived in Europe during the Cold War, I’m accustomed to hearing critiques of the United States. During those years, the criticisms often centered on American foreign policy, military interventions, or cultural influence. This time was different. The concern wasn’t about disagreements over policy; it was about the perceived erosion of the foundations of American governance. Europeans expressed shock at the events of January 6, 2021, and the continued embrace of conspiracy theories and disinformation by a significant portion of the American electorate. As reported by the Australian Broadcasting Corporation, protests against Trump’s policies have sprung up across Europe, reflecting the depth of concern.
The concern extends beyond domestic politics. Many Europeans are deeply troubled by what they see as a more erratic and unpredictable American foreign policy, characterized by unilateral actions and a willingness to challenge long-standing alliances. The threat of potential attacks on NATO countries, as alluded to by Trump during campaign rallies, has been particularly alarming, raising questions about the reliability of American security commitments. The question repeatedly posed was whether the United States had truly learned from the lessons of 20th-century European history – the rise of fascism and the devastating consequences of unchecked authoritarianism.
The Unfathomable Support
Perhaps the most difficult aspect of these conversations was explaining the continued support for Trump among a substantial segment of the American population. Europeans struggled to understand how, after four years of controversy and a tumultuous first term, and despite the events of January 6th, over 40% of voters consistently supported the former president, as evidenced by recent polling data from the Pew Research Center.
I attempted to explain the role of right-wing media ecosystems – Fox News, conservative talk radio, and online platforms – in shaping a parallel reality for many Americans. I described how these outlets reinforce existing beliefs, amplify misinformation, and create a sense of grievance and distrust in mainstream institutions. The concept of “Weltanschauung,” a German term for worldview, proved useful in explaining how deeply ingrained these beliefs have develop into, making them resistant to change even in the face of contradictory evidence. The breaking of promises, such as the commitment to avoid new military entanglements, seemed to have little impact on core support, as seen with the recent escalation of tensions with Iran, as detailed in analysis by MinnPost.
A Stark Contrast: The Role of Media
Europeans acknowledge that far-right and xenophobic movements exist within their own countries. However, they emphasize a crucial difference: the absence of a comparable, all-encompassing right-wing media infrastructure. In most European democracies, mainstream media outlets maintain a degree of editorial independence and adhere to journalistic standards, even if they have their own political biases. The concentration of media ownership and the proliferation of partisan outlets in the United States, they argue, create an echo chamber that reinforces extreme views and undermines public trust in factual information.
Minnesota as a Beacon of Resistance
Amidst these somber conversations, there was one bright spot: Minnesota. The state’s resistance to Trump’s policies and its commitment to progressive values resonated with Europeans. I was surprised to learn that Minnesota, previously obscure to many, had become a symbol of opposition to Trumpism. The German newspaper *Die Zeit* even ran a headline proclaiming Minneapolis “The City That Trump Cannot Break,” a testament to the state’s unwavering commitment to social justice and democratic principles.
This recognition offered a glimmer of hope. If the United States is to regain its standing as a global leader, it will require a broader embrace of the values exemplified by Minnesota – a commitment to inclusivity, equality, and the rule of law. The world is watching, and the future of American democracy hangs in the balance.
Ted Sherman, of St. Paul, is a global trade and supply chain professional. He studied history and German at the University of Notre Dame and business at the University of Chicago. He’s lived in Europe, speaks German and has traveled to and conducted business in dozens of countries over the years.
