Existential threat: U.S. allies in Europe prepare for possible catastrophe of Trump return

McKay Coppins, staff writer for the Atlantic, talks with Alex Wagner about his reporting from speaking to leaders across Europe about their "existential" fears that Donald Trump could regain the U.S. presidency, which they expect would have catastrophic consequences for America's European allies. 



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#Trump #Biden #Europe

[peterjeffery]

The 4 Horsemen of the American Apocolypse:

[brianturner]

It's not just Europe...as an Australian I have been watching the US descent towards fascism since 2016 with horror...

[spinthis]

"Hope for the best, prepare for the worst!" ~ *EVERYONE* VOTE!! *but VOTE BLUE!!!* 💙💙💙

[Dutch]

The USA isn't the city on the hill for Europeans. Too much poverty and inequality. It's ridiculous that you depend on your employer for health insurance if he can fire you the moment you get sick. It's ridiculous that when you get sick and don't get fired, your sick leave has to come out of your pto hours. It's ridiculous that employees are regarded as 'assets' that don't need a good work-life balance so you make them work 50 to 60 hours a week and they only get 10 days vacation (if they are so lucky). It's ridiculous that the minimum wage is so low that you need more than one job to survive if you are a low paid worker. I'm a 63 year old European. I make over 80K Euros a year working only 32 hours (4 days) a week. This year I already went on two short vacations and I have another two short vacations AND two longer vacations coming. I go to the gym two times a week after work, just because I have the time to do so. This keeps me fit and healthy. In my 43 year working career I've been unemployed for three months after leaving military service. In these 43 years I've worked for three (!) employers. If I become disabled or unemployed I know I won't end up in the street. If I become seriously ill and need extensive medical treatment I know I wont go bankrupt. I'm in the 48 percent tax bracket but I don't mind paying taxes because I know that if anything happens to me the social security system will take care of me. That's freedom!

[earthknight]

As an American I'll be absolutely livid if Trump is reelected. He should have been jailed a long time ago, and never should have been allowed within shouting distance of any US political office.

[meangene]

When it comes to trump getting back in the WH, our allies are crapping themselves, and our enemies are actually supporting him. Think about that.

[kenhoward]

Especially after surviving one term of Trump, Europeans must now be seriously wondering about the sanity of the American populace for Trump to have the polling numbers he currently has. It should be unthinkable. And for him - an obviously, mentally-sick man - to have the total backing of one of our only-two major political parties is absolutely crazy.

[Darkenfair]

I'm an Australian. At least 90% of people I talk to over here are absolutely shocked that so many Americans support Trump. He just doesn't seem to have any redeeming features what-so-ever. Please, please, please don't re-elect him, and get him in jail where he belongs as quickly as you can. The rest of the world is watching and begging you to do the right thing.

[bethdumont]

Not just Europeans are concerned with your next election.

I'm Australian. I'm super concerned.

Please come out on the side of freedom and democracy, not dictatorship.

[sba]

I am anxiously glued to the news of the US presidential race. I am scared and confused how many Americans idolize DT. I am an European citizen.

[Ikukundu]

Trump must never be allowed anywhere near the White House.

[valentinursu]

It's different when it happens to America because we thought you... and you always acted like... you have a mature democracy. I remember 10 years ago when 7% of our country's population went to the streets to protest against the corruption of the government, the US ambassador had a statement about the issues of our democracy. Electing Trump a second time proves you are not an example, your electorate is just as uneducated, your laws are just as weak and your institutions are just as corrupt if not more...that supreme court of yours man...wow.

[lexschinkel]

I am one of those Europeans. I follow all the political US news, which I find a crossover between a soap serie and a horror show.

[betha]

Women will take care of this in November.
No worries.
💙💙💙💙💙💙💙💙💙💙

[marcopassardi]

I'm from Switzerland and terrified, too. I don't understand that there are not massive protests against Trump daily. This guy would end democracy! Are you not terrified?

[wtfisthishandIebuIlshit]

Trump can't travel to Europe, or Canada.

[jean-louismaissen]

Voting for DiaperDon is an enormous existential threat for the whole world!!!

💙💙💙

[Dfl]

“European hyperfixation with US elections” is like saying “patient’s hyperfixation on the possible outcome of his cancer screening”. It is 100% understandable.

[angelisa]

I hope Europe will accept American refugees if djt is in the WH again.

[JeffBurn-bi]

It isn't just Europe on edge, it's Taiwan, Japan, Australia, New Zealand, the Pacific Islands and most of the world. The United States needs to wake up and understand how important they are for world peace.