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Donald Trump being re-elected as president is news that will always instil a reaction, whether it be in Madrid or in Massachusetts.
So it’s no surprise that when on November 6th we asked our American readers in Spain, the US or elsewhere to give us their reactions to Trump becoming the US’s 47th president, plenty had something to say.
The majority of our survey’s respondents voted for Kamala Harris, although there were a handful of Donald Trump voters who rejoiced in his victory, such as Cantabria-based retiree Sylvia, who said she was “elated, thankful and hopeful”.
For Silvia, Trump’s promise to eliminate double taxation for Americans abroad was a reason to vote for him.
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Merlin, based in Lloret de Mar, agreed that the end of double taxation for US nationals overseas was one of “the economic changes that are tangible” under a Trump presidency, and that he “voted with my wallet”.
READ ALSO: What does Trump think of Spain?
“There were economic benefits during the first Trump administration that did not receive lots of press coverage,” Merlin explained “I received extra money in every paycheck and the business I worked for was able to hire and retain employees. Now, the turnover is very high and the pay increases are insignificant and below inflation. My family did not see an economic recovery i.e, at the supermarket. My children with bachelor degrees cannot find meaningful employment. I needed an alternative.”
For American in Spain James, “the USA and the West need change. Here it comes!”, adding that under the Republican president he is expecting “lower energy prices, less woke education for our children, better jobs market, peace abroad”.
The idea that Trump will be a “peacemaker” was echoed by US national in Almería Yvonne.
On the other side of the spectrum, Harris voters among The Local Spain’s readers are clearly feeling pretty low at present, with words such as “disgusted”, “devastated”, “angry”, “sad”, “disappointed” “heartbroken” and “horrified” repeated by many.
“November 5th 2024 will be written in history as the beginning of the end of United States democracy,” argued American retiree John, who is based in Valencia.
“His presidency will only inflame the present dangers across the globe. Also beware, this time he will have no reasoned or experienced administration members around him to corral and minimise his irrational shoot-from-the-hip incompetence. He is also becoming more senile by the day. It will be four long years and we don’t know if our constitution and free elections will remain.”
There’s a general hope among US Dems based in Spain that Trump’s presidency will not impact their Spanish life, as well as gratitude for being based here.
Dems listed to Kamala Harris’ defeat speech. (Photo by CHARLY TRIBALLEAU / AFP)
However, some fear Trump’s policies will spill over and affect global stability, the climate crisis, “ruin economies of the world” and affect family members back in the US, with tariffs and Project 2025 among some of the concerns.
Irja, who is based in Fuengirola, is worried about her daughter back in the US as well as being uneasy that “nothing happens to our Social Security benefits”.
READ ALSO: What does Trump’s election victory mean for Spain?
“I’m worried about Ukraine and the impact on Europe which I love so much and consider my true home,” said Emily, an American who just returned to the US after several months living in Spain.
Michael in Madrid added “Putin and Orban are clearly the victors”.
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“My taxes will be lower, but in a fascist country that doesn’t tolerate people who aren’t white and Christian,” argued Eric in Barcelona.
Christine, an English teacher in Madrid, told The Local Spain that “as a woman of colour there is often some friction and already not even a full day in, the racists have been emboldened.”
The matter of reproductive freedoms and LGBTQ rights are also sources of anxiety for some of our American readers.
“I have daughters, I work in public education and am a woman married to a woman. The fear is real,” Carly, who is based in Asturias, admitted.
Mikala Whitaker, owner and author of The Unanchored Passenger travel blog, said: “I’m a young woman and terrified that abortion bans will continue to worsen and that my friends will lose access to critical pregnancy-related healthcare once they start trying to have children”.
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Whitaker is among the Americans who see Trump’s return to the White House as a reason to leave the States. “I’ve been planning to move to Spain anyways, and now I am even more motivated to do so. I want to live somewhere where the government looks out for the people and where there’s not so much division and hate.”
READ ALSO: How to move to Spain as an American
The feeling of embarrassment was also repeated by several American respondents in Spain, who understand that in their adopted country, many struggle to understand how someone like Donald Trump could be elected.
“(I’m feeling) depressed, but entirely unsurprised given the rhetoric in the US,” Barcelona-based technology executive Robert told us. “I have lost faith in the American people and really don’t ever want to go back. Even if we do right the ship eventually, the blatant disregard for others and selfish values that have led to Trump’s election have me considering renouncing citizenship to be done with it all.”
“His win completes my total moral and ethical alienation from the United States,” concluded Doreen, a US pensioner in Valencia.