I’m non-American myself but I am an Asian who immigrated to Europe. The news and social media here show the US imploding under Trump regime. My cousin immigrated to the US, but I am surprised that he doesn’t know about the wanton ICE arrests and harassment of anyone who is of foreign origin, even white foreigners and tourists. Initially, he said that “only illegals are getting arrested”, but was equally surprised or nonplussed when I told him about what is happening. Well, he’s already there, and I did tell him to be careful just in case.
Maybe I should not be surprised because news in my home country generally put the US in pedestal. Since the end of World War II, people feel like we owe the US a lot after being liberated from Japanese occupation, even though we ourselves were formerly a US colony. So, the local media tend to portray the US as a pristine and perfect society. But my compatriots residing in the US say it is overrated, depending where you are, because of rampant homelessness, no social welfare and worsening cost of living crisis. Now, that I think about it, the local media never really portrayed those about the US when I was growing up. Of course, US is still miles ahead than any given developing country in terms of standard of living, but still overrated I understand.
NY -> Canada
US politics doesn’t get nearly as much coverage here. A lot of Canadians don’t realize just how absolutely fucked everything is down south, which is dangerous given the close proximity. Major news comes through but the nuance doesn’t.
Normal News:
Concerned and somewhat worried.
Mostly official-statement- and fact-driven. But that’s normal German news culture (at least compared to the US and if you stay away from the fringe tabloid style media).Social media:
I guess, that depends heavily on your bubble, as everywhere…
In the parts I am present in, it is source of constant amusement, as the events in the US and the views expressed by US people are just completely ridiculous to the more liberal part of Germany.
But this is probably different for the right wing bubbles, like that of AfD supporters.The Murdoch-owned media in the US and abroad are complicit to the American Nazi coup, so don’t expect people there to be informed about what is really happening.
A dumpster fire with an orange clown as president and firestarter in chief, burning all the good will the international allies had towards it. Deeply sad and worrisome, just when we needed them the most given the Russia/China threat.
I’m curious about where and how your cousin gets their information.
If it’s from Facebook and Fox News, I could see them not seeing ICE news, but it’d be hard to miss from any other source.
Not entirely sure where my cousin gets his information. He may be mostly getting it from social media. But it is possible that he still watches traditional news. Although, the traditional news in my home country reports about the US here and there. My mom still mostly watch news from our home country, but even she doesn’t know about the ICE arrests.
Yeah, as an american I am well aware of the ICE raids. It is weird your cousin doesnt know about it.
My government news agency basically copies msnbc narrative for major stories, or smaller stories if there’s a link to EU.
