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ericjhensal

(42 posts)
Thu Jun 25, 2026, 10:33 AM 3 hrs ago

Unwashed America and the World Cup

"Having the World Cup during Trump's second reign was not what organizers for the host committee dreamed of while assembling bid packages years ago. Instead of a president working to put the best face on the United States as an opportunity for soft diplomacy—we have a troglodyte-in-chief who values UFC blood on the White House lawn over anything athletic.

"At least Trump is not trying to Riefenstahl these events and portray a MAGA that is not MAGA. So, at one level, Trump is not a Nazi—because, Stephen Miller's resemblance to Josef Goebbels notwithstanding, the event is not being exploited to sports-wash his "movement." No, Trump is his usual asshat self, denying entry to referees, staff and visitors. This unwashed view of our country, however, may well explain us to the world and, perhaps, turn some hatred for us into pity.

"People from around the world will see, up close, the political hand our country has been dealt. The World Cup, more than the coming Olympics, provides a tasting flight of our country to international fans. Atlanta, Boston, Dallas, Houston, Kansas City, Los Angeles, Miami, New York (well, East Rutherford — so close), Philadelphia, San Francisco Bay Area, and Seattle. Hell, nine World Cup matches are in Dallas alone. Visitors will see the cacophonous mess that is the United States. Perhaps they will better understand how Trump came to be—not as some organized fascist movement with broad American support and hatred of the world, but as the shambolic product of apathy, ignorance, prejudice and greed ..."

** snip **

https://newsletter.aprogressiveway.com/unwashed-america/

6 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
Unwashed America and the World Cup (Original Post) ericjhensal 3 hrs ago OP
wow only 42 posts! Where have you been keeping yourself? justaprogressive 3 hrs ago #1
WC visitors are seeing Urban America. maxsolomon 2 hrs ago #2
They're seeing a lot of non urban America too ITAL 2 hrs ago #3
Welcome to DU MustLoveBeagles 2 hrs ago #4
The World Cup has been going pretty well Sympthsical 2 hrs ago #5
Yes. It's nice to see some positivity rollin74 1 hr ago #6

maxsolomon

(39,418 posts)
2. WC visitors are seeing Urban America.
Thu Jun 25, 2026, 12:03 PM
2 hrs ago

Which is by and large not Trump's America. Urban America is multi-ethnic, liberal, & tolerant. Trump's America hates cities.

ITAL

(1,438 posts)
3. They're seeing a lot of non urban America too
Thu Jun 25, 2026, 12:07 PM
2 hrs ago

At least based on the videos I've seen. A lot of stuff in suburbia and even small towns. Hell, one of the funniest videos I saw was a guy absolutely amazed by a Bass Pro Shop in a small southern town. I guess its when some of the overseas tourists are traveling from city to city.

Sympthsical

(11,273 posts)
5. The World Cup has been going pretty well
Thu Jun 25, 2026, 12:17 PM
2 hrs ago

Because Americans and host cities and organizers are rising to the occasion.

It's going well despite Trump.

People need to stop letting that man have such a psychological grip on them that there is no happiness possible in their world. It's misery, and misery is not an effective political message.

My political message would be "Blue cities are slaying this."

I've been enjoying all the positive social media content about visitor experiences. It's nice to see people enjoying the good things America has to offer for a change.

rollin74

(2,352 posts)
6. Yes. It's nice to see some positivity
Thu Jun 25, 2026, 12:25 PM
1 hr ago

Last edited Thu Jun 25, 2026, 02:00 PM - Edit history (1)

about our country for once. People seem to genuinely be enjoying their experience here

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