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What is the view of other countries on a trump presidency
1. What is the view of other countries
on a Trump presidency?
Peter Hawkins, fascinated (outside) observer of American politics
Updated Nov 9
UK answer:
As I have written elsewhere on Quora, literally everyone in the UK thinks that the Donald
is either an idiot or a troll (if he's a troll, he is a genius rather than an idiot). This is true
regardless of where you fall on the UK political spectrum, it's not like it is a belief that is
held only by leftists.
We keep watching the car crash thinking "oh, that'll sink his campaign then" (prominent
examples include the "bleeding out of her wherever ..." and the attack on McCain. I would
have put money on his remarks about McCain ending his campaign) and it doesn't. He
carries on, and if anything, gets more popular. When he is displaced from the top spot, it's
by another joker, Carson (who is also regarded as an idiot over here, albeit it for different
reasons to Trump, and he is much less well known).
At first, I wasn't too worried. I thought that Trump would fizzle out (or more likely,
explode out). But that doesn't seem to be happening. I don't think he will win the
nomination, or at least, I hope not. And if he wins the nomination he will be smashed in the
2. General by Hillary. In light of that, I don't need to worry too much about President Trump.
Suffice to say, if by some miracle he got elected, he would be a total disaster for America
and the world.
David Stewart is completely correct. "Only in America".
Chiyu Lu, Chinese living in Finland...
Written Mar 13, 2016
I am Chinese, now living in Finland. Although because of the language issue (I can't
understand Finnish which is a shame), I would mainly contribute major online opinions I
summarized based on content from the Chinese equivalent of Quora zhihu.com and of
course as a Chinese, my personal take. This is because I'm more familiar with the Chinese
society and , if you have watched thisthe high relevance of China in Trump's rhetoric
video explaining his " China policy" ^^
Seriously. Compared to Western societies, only very small proportion of Chinese people
know about him. Probably the best and most popular place in the country to discuss serious
issues like American election, is this website zhihu.com. With over 10 million registered
users, the "Donald Trump" topic only have 3653 followers by 11.3.2016, and I believe that
many of them never heard of this guy before he announced his run for presidency last year.
Unlike what I see here in Finland or on Quora, there is so much more positive or neutral
attitudes towards him on zhihu.com that there is even a question asking, what do you think
of the phenomenon that mainstream zhihu users are pro Trump? Even though the
authenticity of the statement is unconfirmed if not groundless, also the phrasing of the
question was also debatable, still you can see the point here. There are of course many
opponents of him in China, but not all of them dislike Trump because of his manners or
philosophy. They dislike him simply because of his aggressiveness against China, in other
words, some people wish they could had a leader like him in China.
Under questions that involves comments on Trump and his presidency, I summarize some
common and popular opinions from his supporters and put it below.
Some people appreciated that Trump defies the political correctness which they believed
have overlooked the interests of Chinese and Asian communities in America. They also
think that democrats and traditional republicans didn't treat Asian minorities seriously and
fairly, while on the other hand Donald Trump is an outsider whose realist policies could
bring change. A rather popular answer simply proposed that all Asians vote for Trump for
Trump's "All lives matter" response to "Black lives matter" protesters, though I think the
zhihu user misunderstood and over-analyzed Trump's quote. It was later down-voted to a
much lower position.
3. One very popular answer said Trump would win the election, praising Trump as "the only
candidate with common sense". After watching the debate prior Super Tuesday, the writer
concluded that Trump was "neutral and flexible". Trump was also given lots of credits
according to the popular answer because "he is not doctrinaire of republican ideology like
his competitors but a realist and problem solver". As Trump supporters in America
believed, these netizens on zhihu show appreciation of Trump because they think "He tells
like it is" and "He is not afraid to be politically incorrect".
Just like Quorans, the users of the Chinese equivalent absolutely have above average
education level in China. So why do they make such judgements you may wonder. You
may argue that this support or sympathy towards Trump in China was the result of the fact
that zhihu users received relatively lower education compared to Quorans which fact that I
don't deny. Moreover, most users of the website are Chinese who are pretty inexperienced
in regard to American free election, which could explains why they can't see through the
facade and tricks played by politicians. So the conclusion should be clear now, they like
Trump simply because zhihu users are just like those Trump supporters you saw in his
rally. But a fact worth noticing here is, why would these Chinese people like the person
who blame and attack them?
There is a good answer for it on zhihu. It pointed out that Trump's policy pretty much
caters the nationalist mood on zhihu community or even in Chinese society. Trump
advocates a tough stand on military and trade issues, won lots of loyal support with his
provocative comments on Islam, he is sexist, xenophobic and many people accused him of
being racist. Unfortunately, many Chinese people buy this rhetoric. In China, there is a
certain kind of tension between Muslim minority and the Han majority as a result of
cultural differences and even government policies. It might also be worth noting here if you
don't know the fact that there have been terrorist attacks backed by radical Islam in the
country with connections with groups like Isis for years. So you could imagine there could
be hate speeches on the internet, from both parties.
In city of Guangzhou in Southern China, there is a black community whose lifestyle is
believed by some people to be incompatible with the country. As the country rises
economically, China has more global interest, some people already believe that our
government is not tough enough with our neighbors. Ironically, foreigners seem to be more
likely to subscribe to the view that China has been too aggressive on territorial disputes
and trade issues. As to the sexist part, I think it is not surprising at all that women in a
relatively traditional society like China have much weaker economic and social position
compared to modern societies. So if China has free election, I guess someone like Trump
would be popular. Btw, the long term national goal of contemporary China, promoted by
the government is "the Great Renaissance of Chinese nationhood", so the campaign slogan
for the Chinese Trump in a hypothetical general election would be, "Make China Great
Again!"
Political correctness is not an issue in China, not only because there is no general
election in the country but also for the reason that those modern ideologies that
prevail in the West haven't the strong base in Chinese society yet. It is changing but
definitely falling behind the pace of the country's economic growth. We don't have the
4. colonial past as the West has nor do we have racial conflicts as what we've seen in America
in the Civil Rights movement. Considering the scale of China's population and territory, it
is still a mostly racially homogeneous country where over 90% of the population are
atheists. Racial, religious and immigrant issues were absent from the lives of majority of
people in this country when I grew up. We will meet these challenges soon, the
globalization and growing influence of the country and many other factors but things take
time. If Trump speaks out what many people are afraid to say in America, he certainly
would find many people are even bolder and more provocative than him in today's China.
I found it's hard not to like him after watching Trump's videos, even though his presidency
doesn't concern me much. Thursday morning I woke up at 3.30 am just to watch the 12th
GOP debate in Florida, only to find other candidates were just too weak for him. All the
other 3 candidates seem to lack the charisma to win in a democratic election. Rubio looked
young, inexperienced and "lightweight" as addressed by Trump, he seemed nervous when
speaking (too fast) and too serious all the time. Cruz looked pretty awkward and spoke in a
really annoying tone, condescending. He sounded phony and unapproachable, also boring.
Together with that Ohio governor they don't seem to be experienced speaking live on TV.
On the other hand, Trump has been known for his publicity throughout his career. Trump
the board game, Miss USA, Trump stake, Trump University, Trump tower, Trump
reality show "The apprentice", so following his career path, what's next? What's the
next big thing that could help him break the ceiling? Probably only a run for president
could get him more publicity, with which he could make a gain in his career.
Mike Richmond, Observer of US politics
Updated Nov 27 · Upvoted by William Murphy, Professor of American History,
specializing in political history
You know when you see an otherwise sensible friend of yours making a horrible, terrible
mistake in their love life? It isn't for you to interfere, but you know that your friend's new
man is an idiot who has hurt everyone he has ever had a relationship with.
At first you thought it would all fizzle out when he turned up drunk for dates with her, and
then when he drove his car over her cat and laughed about it. But for some reason she just
says it is his attractive 'bad guy' image.
Now she is talking about wedding venues.
[Update 8th December 2015, after Trump has put forward a policy of preventing any
Muslims from entering the US]
Have you heard? This man your friend is in love with has now said that, after the wedding,
none of her family will be allowed to visit them, and she will be forbidden from seeing her
old friends. Surely there are laws against this sort of thing....
5. Aninda Bose, Finding joy and peace in Indian Classical Music
Written Dec 8, 2015
Vallabhaneni Srikar has given a well rounded character sketch about Donald Trump. I just
want to focus on how big a danger he is for the world peace and security.
If his Mexican bashing was not enough,Trump has now turned to what looks like
from outside. In wake of recent San-Bernardino shootings, heIslamophobia
openly advocated banning Muslims from Entering America .But truthfully, he
doesn't care, he is actually out an out, an opportunist, a plain businessman and an
ego-maniac, so he sees this great opportunity to be the President , the summit of all
his ego-gratification exercises.
Basically,he is trying to invoke and capitalise the hidden racial,religious bias that is
rooted in the sub-conscious mind of many Americans. By proposing the ban on
Muslims entering the US,it is plain evident that he is hell bent on polarizing votes
by speaking a basal language which many Americans love to hear secretly. Let's
look at the World Values Survey, an annual poll from the Public Religion Research
Institute released in November, which asked Americans whether "the values of
Islam are at odds with American values and way of life." Below are the results,
broken down by Republicans, Democrats, and the entire American population
(including Ds, Rs, and independents):
6. Reference:-
Donald Trump has a base: 76% of Republicans think Islam is un-American
His main target is the republican vote bank and he seems winning as of now.
c)Lets assume hypothetically, that he becomes the President, and he does follow up on his
promises against Muslims , we are then looking at a potential disaster.There are 1.6 billion
Muslims in this world and their hatred for Americans will only increase.We are looking at
more Muslim youths becoming radicalized and indirectly fulfilling the long-term agenda of
organisations like ISIS within America, and their dream of a holy war with Christians and
non-Muslims, as part of a forced fulfillment of 1300 year old prophecy gets even a further
push(according to their crooked interpretation of Islam and the holy book Hadith).
So, at this juncture,the people of America need to really assert their collective wisdom and
not let this man be the President of their great nation. This is an appeal from a global citizen
who desires peace to prevail in this world.Polarizing Muslims will cause much more harm
7. than good in the long run for America and the World. Mr Trump doesn't realize this. For
him, money and position is everything.
Srikar Vallabhaneni, studied at Sri Bhagawan Mahaveer Jain College
Updated Dec 6, 2015
I am an Indian.
I find him very dangerous for the world, does he manage to end up becoming POTUS. He
reminds a bit of Rahul Gandhi, , but has a opinion on everything.clueless about everything
Trump is the ultimate example of how to get rich with your fathers' money and flaunt it
even when you are at 69 (What a number, and what an age to try for the big chair!).
Having read and seen a number of his interviews and that of his family members, it is fair
to say that Trump is much beyond what meets the eyes. I learnt this after seeing the
interviews of his family members who strongly defend everything and anything he says
publicly, no matter how controversial they are. The fact that, unlike in India, where a
politician can easily get notices for speaking something very controversial, from the
Elections Commission, Trump has not been given any such notices by any Amercian board.
What's surprising is that the only logic that every sane person is able to find for the
popularity of his campaign is "When he speeks something controversial, he doesn't
apologys, and that appeals a lot to the rebelleous youth, especially the unemployed,
who support his views on being anti-immigration and anti-Mexican. He is an
inspiration for the youth to become rich, even if means obscene rich and flaunt it like
him"
Also do read Srikar Vallabhaneni's answer to How would the relationship between USA
and India change or be affected if Donald Trump becomes the POTUS?
I find him dangerous for a number of reasons, mainly his Foreign policies - ISIS, Russia,
Isreal, China, India, Palestine, Pakistan, Al Qaeda
And also many other issues like US National Debt, Gun Control, Marijuana, racism ect, I
find his lack of basic knowledge and rationality extremely appalling. Even a high school
kid in American would know more about these topics than Trump.
He is a proven racist, misogynist, sexist, narcissist.
Every speech of his is either bashing one of his opponent or the media OR himself boasting
how good he is at everything starting from his crazy hairstyle. What are some offensive
things Donald Trump has said (with sources)?
I mean what kind of 60 year old goes around boasting that he has supermodels around all
as he hosts the Miss America contest and gives interviews in his house to showthe time
how wealthy he is. He is everything that a President should not be. In one of his interviews,
when asked how he can relate to the middle class citizens even though he is rich, he goes
8. on to say that most of his employees are middle class, and he takes care of them pretty well.
I mean, somebody break the news to him that, running a company and running a
government is far different jobs.
America needs a honest, knowledgeable and strong leader, none of which Donald
Trump is.
These are my opinions from my observations. I won't be surprised if one of his supporters
gets offended and downvotes this. Who likes the truth anyways ?
Bernhard Støcker, Mathematician and coder
Written Mar 11, 2016
Just take a look on twitter. This is how the great majority of Germans see it:
9. In other western countries Trump wouldn't even be considered as a candidate. The most
people just react with
when hearing he won another preelection. He is a liar, a racist, homophobic, supports
(= giving a f... on human rights) and only tries to seed fear (which is known to be atorture
bad advisor). Nevertheless people elect him. Poor America. The good news is that by now
he seems to have no chance to become president.
David Stewart, Interested observer.
Written Nov 17, 2015
To be honest we're kind of stunned. Here in Australia we're all scratching our heads and
saying "A wall? Seriously? And you're going to make the Mexicans pay for it?
What?"
I've always been calling Trump's campaign "nuts" but I'm now calling it a "comic book
because that's a perfect description of what's going on.campaign"
If Trump tried that here he'd be laughed out of contention. We're amazed anyone is taking
him seriously.
When Trump accused a journalist of "bleeding out of her whatever" because she asked
him questions like she is paid to do, our jaws hit the floor. Surely that was game over right
there? He's just played the PMT card which should pretty much invalidate anything he says
from that point onwards. The fact that he's still in the race and actually polling well just
reinforces a popular phrase we have over here "Only in America".
Barry Blatt, Doesn't watch TV
Written Dec 8, 2015
10. If this muppet gets in the US will be a laughingstock. Trump just makes shit up and expects
people to swallow it.
If it's not serious distortions of the truth he has paid others to concoct for him...
it's barefaced lies he spouts himself...and that's before we get onto the straightforwardly
venomous verbal abuse he heaps on all and sundry.
This man must hold the American public in utter contempt to carry on like this, yet
inexplicably a lot of people still seem to root for him. What the hell is wrong with them?
I'm sorry folks, if this cretin gets in as president we are going to have to quit NATO before
the knucklehead drags us into WWIII.
Simon Crump, Brit
Written Dec 8, 2015 · Upvoted by Marc Bodnick, Harvard Gov major, Stanford PoliSci
PhD student
This afternoon I walked into an electrical supplies shop in north-west England. It's the sort
of place where the shopkeeper wears overalls.
There were three other customers in there when I arrived, all of them white, middle-aged
men. The shopkeeper was on his knees searching through boxes of recently delivered stock
for an item one of the men had ordered from him. The following conversation took place
while he rummaged around.
Shopkeeper: So what did you make of Donald Trump's comments [about preventing
Muslims from entering the US]?
Man 1: Appalling.
Shopkeeper: Aye.
Man 2: He's a lunatic.
Man 3: An influential lunatic.
And that was that; nothing more was said on the subject. It's a representative example of
what other countries think about Trump and the possibility of him becoming president.
Dismissed in a few words.
Tom Foale, Fascinated observer of the self destruction of the USA.
Written Dec 8, 2015
The reaction Trump would get in the UK, and what he should be getting in the USA, would
be something akin to "You aren't an American bruv, you're an embarrassment" - to mis-
quote a British Muslim witnessing a terrorist attack here recently.
11. David Lee Rippie, Minister/Chaplain, activist, photog, musician, writer; Law is an
avocation
Written Dec 2, 2015
I interface with people from around the world in other activities and have heard it from
many. If I can be so bold as to reduce their observations to one or two words, the ones I
hear most often are:
Daft/Nuts/Crazy/Insane
Scary
Confused
Worried
Surprised
Not Surprised (from UK and France)
Why? (from Spanish language and Asian nations)
and Getting Angry.
Clearly, the reactions, and these are from people around the world, are not positive or
hopeful. Further complaints involve concerns that Trump shows every indication that he
would be a very quick-to-react hawk, violent and unilaterally controlling, demanding and
inflexible.
Even Israelis profess that while "NostraDonald," the best moniker for him ever (thanks to
Stephen Colbert for that!), is a strong supporter of Israel, the likelihood of an all-out war
involving Israel if he and Netanyahu are both in office at the same time is terrifyingly high.
I would tend to agree.
The world would not become a more peaceful, productive and progressive planet with
Donald Trump in the White House, to hear it from people around the world.
Oh, and for what it's worth, these observations or questions to me are utterly and all
unsolicited as these men and women and even teens are asking for MY views on the
prospects of a Trump presidency spontaneously in the middle of other discussion!
This tells me that "worried" and "scared" may be the most important of the feelings of
others around the world who don't think Trump is stupid or even crazy... they think that WE
are both stupid and crazy!
And they view him as someone who could create a very powerful, centralized government
around him and not the people... a Totalitarian Republic? We've seen it in other nations...
We've fought wars as a result.
It could happen here, and that scared the nerves right out of people everywhere, not just
here in the US.
12. Jake Williams, IQ 148, if I wasn't a narcissist I'd be perfect.
Written Feb 12, 2016
Have you ever watched a horror film, and you're just sat there like "no, you idiot, why are
you doing this? Don't open that door! Just run, you can see this isn't right just fucking run!"
But, for some strange reason, the person continues to explore the castle or go back to the
dudes house or whatever. Well that's what it feels like for the rest of us watching America
get this close to making Trump president. Except there is a key difference. Imagine if when
the film character is killed, you die in real life as well. That is roughly the level of stress we
are experiencing about the thought of a Trump presidency.
Christian Bull, For a Scandinavian, I have a somewhat above average interest in US
politics
Written May 4, 2016
It's hard to see how a Trump presidency could be worse for the world than 8 years of GW,
and I suspect that The Donald may in fact have less terrible advisors, and be more
pragmatic than the NeoCon nut-jobs GW was surrounded by.
As far as I'm concerned, I lost all faith in the collective wisdom and sanity of the American
people when they re-elected GW in 2004. I might also add that I vastly prefer Trump over
Cruz.
Matteo Ferrara, 20 years in Berlusconi's Italy
Written Nov 30, 2015
Some years ago, when I was a teenager, I used to complain very often, about the political
situation in Italy.
I couldn't undestand how Berlusconi could have been so widely voted.
It didn't make any sense years before it started to nominate pretty girls to offices and to deal
daily with sex scandals.
He was famous for being a long time cheater, with probably contacts in many of the darkest
organizations of the Republic.
So when I told to my father I couldn't undarstand why this happen just in Italy, and that I
was sorry and afraid for the consequences it could lead to, he told me: "you shouldn't worry
13. about it, we are not an anormal country, we are unfortunately a leading country, every
country (included those that are making jokes of us) sooner or later is gonna have its
Berlusconi".
I started to believe he wasn't so wrong after all.
Ayhan Bilgili
Written Nov 30, 2015
Turkish opinion:
I saw him on the news couple of times and I thought he was joking about presidency.
If he becomes even candidate, I would lose all my hopes about the People of the United
States. And in that case, , the conspiracies that,I would believe it is REAL
THEY are trying to make one united world with no countries, no religions, wiping out all
sick/weak people, and only rich will rule and others will be slaves of them. And Trump's
candidacy is a TEST, THEY are testing if they can make people accept ANYTHING. If the
test is success, they would just show a MINION as the next candidate (minions the movie's
minion like Kevin saying banananaaaaa)
The danger is real. Trump is a test. If he is elected, THEY will EXECUTE the plan...
Tianyu Li, studied at Carnegie Mellon University
Written Dec 28, 2015
China:
Donald Trump might be a Chinese spy.
The educated Chinese elite are having a hard time - a hard time believing that their country
has been so damned lucky. Just when America is starting to contain China, 9/11 happened.
Just when clashes emerge in South China Sea, Syria happened. Just when China is worried
about rising to super power status and expanding global influence in an America-dominated
world, Donald Trump happened.
Trump is ignorant enough that he will destroy the strategic containment and
precautions US had set up against China subtly over the years in a heartbeat.
So what's gonna happen? Trump does stupid things and pisses off Europe, they sign the
new silk road pact with China and China increases presence in Europe, economically and
politically, weakening NATO.
Trump completely gives up the back to East Asia tactic and Beijing probably moves for a
reincorporation of Taiwan or an alliance with Japan now that America is out of the way,
setting American influence all the way back to Hawaii on the Pacific.
Trump completely fails in the war against terrorism and China garrisons Pakistan and
14. Afghanistan to counter terrorism in Xinjiang, effectively increase its global military
presence.
Trump screws up the dollar. China steps up with its yuan backed by its strong economy.
Seriously, everything Beijing had been dreaming about, Trump sounds like the person to
make it come true. When they say in their report that "China is in an era of strategic
opportunities", they really meant "hurry while the Americans are still screwing around".
And guess what, Santa is coming to town early and Americans are considering Donald
Trump!
So in summary: Trump is the single person that will boost China up to super power (global
presence, economic prowess, allies, prestige and so on) status in the next decade. Trump is
hence either a complete moron or working for the Chinese.
Oh yeah, and an average Chinese will probably look at the TV one day and say to herself:
"damn I was wrong and I am so glad now we don't vote, this would not happen if they just
pick the most capable bureaucrat to be the president like we do. Our president is guaranteed
to be better than this moron." Beijing is literally bursting into joyful tears now I imagine.
David Schneider, Retired Professor of Psychology
Written Nov 17, 2015 · Upvoted by Marc Bodnick, Harvard Gov major, Stanford PoliSci
PhD student
Just back from Europe and the people I spoke to (cab drivers, bistro folks, as well as more
intellectual types) . Can't believe it. I'v also had 4 or 5 emails fromthink it's a joke
colleagues in Europe -- the general tone is "What the hell are Americans thinking." My
reaction exactly.
Andrés Parzanese, studied at Zhongnan University of Economics and Law
Written Dec 14, 2015
South American here.
I think it's uh.. Entertaining. It's hard to imagine someone like that can actually be running
for president of such a powerful nation. It's always interesting to see people's opinion on
him.
But that also makes it dissapointing. How come he manages to have support? What is that
people thinking? Is there really so much hate for other people? Do people really believe
what he says?
15. But it's also interesting, because his true intentions are kind of unclear: Can someone be
really as stupid to say what he says to become president, or he does it to gain attention?
Time will tell.
Jay Heuer, PhD in Business, Software Entrepreneur and Product Developer
Written Feb 23, 2016
I would never presume to be able to compile appropriately the views of the population of an
entire country. In modern democracies, there are simply too many views present.
That said, I can state my views and those close to me, which happen to be somewhat
aligned.
A Trump presidency would be the next giant step in the decline of the global relevance of
the USA. Relevance comes from being able to act predictably and sensibly, from being able
to pursue a strategic goal no matter what.
With Trump, the only goal he seems to pursue is to feed his own narcicism. Not a
psychologist, but been around the block long enough to see the signs. Maybe he will
appoint Mrs. West as his second in command, they would certainly get a lot of eyeballs.
So, Trump will be a weather vane, swishing this way and that, appearing strong but actually
being a hollow giant. He will most likely polarize the country more, will create gridlock in
the democratic systems, and thus get nothing, NOTHING done.
Hence the loss of relevance. There are several international blocks vying for influence, and
the void will be filled. Once those are entrenched, the USA will either have to rely on its
military (fun idea) or economy (which will flounder even more as more people drop out of
the middle into poverty) top regain ground. Oh what a waste!
A second perspective is the deeper insights such an election would give into the state of
mind of the "average American". The USA have been the Guardian of Democracy, as ham-
handed as that was sometimes executed, for nearly a century. To have somebody of the
"caliber" of Mr. Trump be placed at the helm says a lot about the state of democracy in the
USA. In the country that is to defend it. Sure, it is a democratic right to elect whatever
***** (insert your own word here), but a right is not the same as an obligation.
So if the USA elects Mr. Trump as President, watch it start circling. If you look at the
center of that motion, that is called the drain.
16. Richard D'Aprix, works at HP Technology Services
Written Dec 13, 2015
There is a movement in the UK-our staunchest ally-to ban Trump. If anyone thinks we can
diplomatically navigate a proxy war in Syria against the Russiansm battle fronts in Adrica,
Afghanistan, Iraq, troubles in Iran and the Turkish NATO problem (cf Kurds and the only
reliable ground forces in the region) without any foreign policy experience or by bombing
(been there, ,done that, got the t-shirt) they are clinically insane or pathologically
narcissistic. See "Trump".
The only strategy that works is local Sunni and Shiite leaders quelling their own
populatilons town by town. We know this. We proved it in Iraq. We also know lack of
discrimination between Shiite, Sunni, Turk and Kurds is disastrous. There is no monolithic
"Muslim" identity any more than there is a Christian one.
There is one way; engage local authorities as allies and refuse to play into the narrative of a
religious clash between west and east, that's it.
Trump also fails any rational constitutional or financial experitise test and his policies
would be blocked and if instituted cause the great depression to recur.
Outsider does not always equal good. This is no time for a neophyte. Just because you're
stubborn and loud and an outsider does not means you are skilled. In fact, it may mean you
are totally incompetent for the position.
Maya Deva Kniese
Written May 4, 2016
. I'veI'd be shocked. Frankly, I'd be worried about WW3 lurking around the corner
read various posts here explaining why that won't happen, but I'd still be worried, thinking
about that other guy nobody believed would cause any real trouble.
On a lighter note, there was a funny clip on facebook a while back about a Canadian
expressing his befuddlement regarding Trump ("Did America lose a bet or something?")
that ended with the suggestion that when it comes to building walls to keep out the scary
neighbours to the south, "We're waaay ahead of you."
That pretty much sums it up.
17. Simon Harrison, Appalling writer, atrocious painter. Skilled self deprecator.
Written Nov 26, 2015
Misdirection. . He is sluicing off the crazies and nutjobs,He's a buffoon, but he has value
neutering the more moderate 'tea party' candidates by stealing their support base, splitting
the right wing vote and leaving a more centrist candidate to mop up all the "I'm not crazy,
but I'm not a Democrat" voters. He's a clown, who has absolutely no intention of becoming
President. He probably laughs himself to sleep that he's getting away with it.
Julieta Avilez, Mexican
Written Dec 8, 2015
Mexico answer:
Well people get kind of mad at him for all the comments he has said about Mexicans and
latinos.
He is not only considered racist he is also considered ignorant because his comments
couldn't be further from the truth and living in this country we can see that first
hand.
There's no Mexican conspiracy against the US has trump has implied, our government has
bigger issues to resolve to be doing some kind of conspiracy to benefit from the US, both
countries benefit and actually there is a great preference for us over Mexico in business.
When he said Mexico sent their criminals that was kind of funny but was taken in great
great offense, people who go to the US are very very poor ignored people who's ultimate
resort is immigrating criminals here don't fit in that category at all, people go away also
because of the criminals soo.
The Mexican society is very responsive and everyone I've meet here has something to say
about trump.
People are responding all over the news and radio hosters and personalities are saying their
mind against trump and proving why he's wrong, the memes are great too!
Raphael Morallo,
Written Dec 9, 2015
I come from the Philippines where the politics is beyond appalling.
When my friends and I heard about Donald Trump running for president in the US, we told
ourselves, "Wow. It's nice to see that America has stopped down to our level."
18. Baipath Lang, Learner
Written May 3, 2016
How would I feel?
Being a permanent resident in Australia, and not from North America, I would feel
Donald Trump was somewhat of an inspiration to me before he revealed his truedisgusted.
colors, showing his ignorance of politics, governmental issues, and foreign policy. Donald
makes outrageous comments and answers to questions he doesn't think about.
I'm not entering the US anytime soon if Donald becomes president.
Raph Schmieder, studied at University of St. Gallen
Written Dec 21, 2015
The view on Donald Trump is rather negative in Germany. In Germany such extreme views
and statement are not possible. People would sue him for hate crime (at the moment Angela
Merkel is sued for treason by hundreds of people due to her actions in the refugee crisis).
Because of our history, German society and politics are really careful. Out of most people
perspective they watch Donald Trump as insane. Statement like “we should kill their
families of terrorist” “ban Muslims from entering the US” “close the Internet” would never
happen in our Political system and if they do the person who said such things would
disappear fast. This is happening right now with one of the AFD party politicians “Björn
Höcke”, who involves racial ideologies in his speeches.
Nevertheless we have a right wing movement as well in Germany (AFD – alternative for
Germany) as well who would probably approve Donald Trump’s claims but I personally
hope they will never be in charge of this country and that Donald Trump will never be
POTUS. I hope I could give you a little insight how we see Donald Trump.
Lauren Herbert, I am a cognitive psychologist and have extensive research experience.
Written Nov 19, 2015
The view from Australia seems to be bewilderment that such a mouth breather would be
considered even remotely electable. We have had five prime ministers in five years, and
one of them was Tony Abbott, who was a fairly serious gaffe machine. Despite the
laughable state of our politics, we still wonder what the hell is going on in the USA.
This view appears to similar across our entire political spectrum.
19. Emma Woollacott
Written Jan 7, 2016
Well over half a million Brits signed a petition calling for him to be banned from the
country. Can you imagine nearly three million Americans - the same proportion of the
population - bothering to do that over a foreign politician who isn't even a presidential
candidate yet?
The thing is, though, that the vast majority of the signatories would actually love him to
come, just so that they could have a good laugh. For most people, signing the petition was
simply a way of saying 'Trump, you're a t**t'. Obviously, his ideology is utterly vile, but
the man's such a buffoon that I really don't think any Brits take him remotely
seriously.
By the way, I've realised that it isn't nearly well enough known in the States that here in the
UK the word 'trump' is a common synonym for 'fart'. Do tell your friends.
Paul Mainwood, Interested foreigner
Written Mar 2, 2016
A few months ago, I thought he was a joke,
More recently, I thought he was a joke that had gone on a bit too long.
Now (on the Wednesday after Super-Tuesday) I have to admit, that even having spent more
than a year studying and working in the US, I do not understand the American public, at all.
My own opinion of him has also changed. Up until this morning, I thought he was a
populist, shallow, racist, vain, self-obsessed excuse for a human being.
But this morning, he tweeted this. And now I forgive him everything.
20. Revett Eldred, former Co-founder at Athene Offices & Services (2005-2013)
Written Dec 10, 2015
As Canadians in general are big fans of Obama, one has to assume that they don't think
much of Trump. Nor do I, but I love a couple of things about the guy.
He has managed to get the entire effete eastern liberal elite positively quivering in their
knickers. How could someone so stupid keep garnering so much support? How can such
a bigoted racist manage not just to stay in the race but to become more popular every
Bday?
Don't flame me. I think the guy is an arrogant idiot with an ego the size of New York, and I
think that as president he would be a total disaster, but he has connected with the average
blue-collar American like nobody else. He is saying what they want to hear, and before
21. you dismiss them all as ignorant red necks, remember that by definition 50% of voters have
an IQ less than 100. But while I have no time for the idea of Trump as a politician, I also
have no time for the constant mis-reporting that goes on regarding his outrageous
statements, and I have no time for the tendency of left-leaning liberals to attack him
personally rather than to debate his ideas and show why they are dumb. Here in Canada his
treatment is as biased as it is in the US.
Ian Harding
Written Oct 18, 2015
He is a pantomime dame, with some pretty outspoken views that would not be given
airtime in the UK. (A Pantomime is a type of play with outrageous characters that usually
runs in the theatres around Christmas time ie, your holiday season. Where the "dame" is
played by a man who could never be taken remotely seriously)
Vince Dimanno, 20+ years in web, software development & business consulting
Written Nov 23
Donald Trump is the living manifestation of the . As a Canadian citizen“Yank” stereotype
who immigrated from England, and has been lucky enough to travel extensively,
Americans are often joked about being boorish, rude, racist, self-aggrandizing, over-sexed,
gun toting and ignorant pigs. Before the election, I said to friends that if Trump were
elected he would simply be proving that stereotype for the world to see. I hoped that
Hillary, who I also think was a horrible candidate, would win and prove the world to be
wrong and that Trump was a joke candidate. Its hard to know if he was really serious for
much of the campaign.
The problem is that it isn’t funny at all. If Trump does what he says he will do, and can do
with Republican majorities in both the House and Senate, the world will truly never be the
same. The US will never recover from the hit it will take to its reputation. It is quite
possible that this is the end of the American empire.
The irony here is that Republicans stand for low taxes, small government, libertarian-
ism…all things I can get behind. Trump is not only the opposite of all that, but he has
converted the Republican platform into one of hate, xenophobia and further war-
mongering.
I have little to say on what each party stands for…but as an outside observer, the US has
only ever truly moved forward under Democratic Presidents. Kennedy forwarded equal
rights, Clinton balanced a budget, Obama created a path to universal healthcare. Nixon had
Watergate, Reagan had Trickle Down Economics, Bush 1 and 2 went to war and nearly
bankrupted your country.
22. As an American, you can argue the details, but the rest of the world sees these actions as
the “big picture”. Trump forward no ideas on social programs, tax relief, or anything to
help out the average person. Rather he has only spoken of walls, wars and violence. I know
many people in the US and I wish them well. I hope that the sheer complexity of what he
proposes will grind him into inaction. The very best your new President can do for you, is
to do nothing.
I am so thankful to be Canadian.
397 Views · View Upvotes
Leopoldo "Polo" Contreras, United States citizen residing abroad
Written Dec 18, 2015
Here in Mexico Trump is generally seen as annoying. It's very difficult to imagine that a
Trump presidency could actually occur, but it is believed that it would be an
unambiguously bad thing even for the United States.
1k Views · View Upvotes
Joan Kerr, Aka Gert Loveday. Comic novelist, poet, Speech pathologist, ESL teacher,
yoga practitioner.
Written Dec 18, 2015
Writing from Australia, I agree with Lauren Herbert's comment that most of us are
bemused that he could even be in the running. We've had some duds as PM but he is like
our worst PM on steroids. What it says to me, though is that the Republican party is in a
very bad way if he has such a strong lead among registered Republican voters. And the
Republicans have power in both houses! America is looking more and more like a failed
state with its governance system totally out of control.
Tony Fordyce, Have lived and worked professionally in Japan for 20 years, China for
3 . . . .
Written Dec 13, 2015
I live in Japan and if you ask the average (Japanese) person in the street, he or she would
have no idea who Donald Trump is and care even less. Interest, even in domestic politics, is
pretty low here, still less in anything that goes on abroad (if there are no Japanese directly
involved). But talking to foreigners here - of many different nationalities - the view is
absolutely consistent (with no exception I've found so far) that the whole thing is a
23. laughable and ridiculous joke, fun to watch, in a way, because it makes the American
political system appear even more obviously flawed than it is, but sad, also, because it
reveals the inherently racist and backward ideas of so many in what is still the most
powerful country in the world.
Incidentally, I read an interesting article on the Atlantic Monthly website (other
publications are available) recently, where they asked Trump 'supporters' to write in and
explain why they were behind him. A surprising number seemed not to support his
at least one was following him because he wanted to see thepolicies in any real way;
train-wreck continue as long as possible, and others were behind him because they wanted
to vote against the Republican system.
Unfortunately, to a degree, because it has been so amusing in a masochistic kind of way, it
seems that - as an actual electoral process looms closer - Trump's appeal is beginning to
unravel (if the latest poll numbers are accurate). But if Cruz or Carson are the alternatives,
maybe let's hope that Trump keeps going a bit longer!
Nick Hodgson, Teacher/ Mentor/ Coach/ Father
Written Jan 9, 2016
From Australia.
It's like watching a car crash in slow motion. You keep waiting for the driver to swerve to
the left and avoid the accident but still he seems to be doggedly determined to run straight
into the tree.
I still hold out hope that the American voters will be smart enough to swerve before
it's too late.
In other words - we think a Trump Presidency would be a disaster for the US and as a
consequence as disaster for the world. Let me put it this way - I felt uneasy about Bush
before he was elected but figured he really couldn't screw up that badly could he?
Neil Parker, works at Joslin Rhodes
Written Apr 14, 2016
Speaking as a Brit with an interest in world events I, like most people have watched events
over the pond with a sense of mirth followed by a feeling of uncomfortableness and now a
fear of, 'Oh, OK this might actually happen.'
24. I think one of the differences between the political systems on either side of the atlantic is
that in the UK, the prime minister has much more control (absolute if they have a sufficient
majority in the House) over domestic affairs. However, when it comes to foreign affairs and
especially military the Prime Minister will normally need the backing of both sides of the
house before embarking on any major policy.
In the US, it is broadly reversed with the POTUS have far more discretion over foreign
policy and being Commander In Chief. Conversely, and certainly over recent presidencies
the POTUS is largely impotent on domestic policy and certainly when it comes to anything
seen as groundbreaking. (Obamacare being a great example of how diluted the policy
becomes when you need to satisfy/appease so many conflicting values and views).
And so, from a Brits point of view, it is actually more scary for us, if you have the
The one place you know he's notDonald as President than it actually is for US citizens!
going to nuke is the US, we don't have that luxury. Oh, and when I put that bluntly, I don't
mean because he make a strategic and thoughtful decision to do so. I mean by accident in
the same way that my son didn't MEAN to break the TV but because he was booting a
football around the living room without the skills to do so he did it by accident. TV's still
broke though.
Also, in the UK, if you want to be taken seriously as a ministerial candidate you have to
know your stuff and have concrete policies. That is because it is expected that you will go
on TV and have hour long interviews with politically heavyweight journalists like Andrew
Marr who will grill you, and I mean grill you, over every fine detail of your policy. You
can't just point at the guy in the funny hat and hope it distracts them.
In the US, candidates can get a lot further without actually saying, explaining or standing
for anything meaningful but thats probably because it doesn't really matter who is POTUS
when it comes to domestic policy, as the House will stay broadly the same.
So, in essence
1. We think much the same of most non right wing extremist americans that the
guys a liability.
2. We wouldn't trust him with a pair of scissors let alone Air Force One.
3. We thought it was funny to begin with but we're kind of scared.
4. We're scared probably for different reasons than US citizens are scared
5. We can't understand how someone can get so far through the process without
actually having to create, articulate, argue and reason their policies in detail.
6. That's because the political systems are different and don't really translate to
one another.