Brexit: So Many Parallels with the Anger of Trump Admirers

Published in Sueddeutsche Zeitung
(Germany) on 25 June 2016
by Johannes Kuhn (link to originallink to original)
Translated from by Tristan Foy. Edited by Elizabeth Cosgriff.

 

 

 

The neighbor from across the way is hurrying over to make an inquiry. As a volunteer campaign worker for Bernie Sanders, he normally tells political stories, but of course it is about Brexit. "So many parallels with the anger of Trump admirers," he says. "Will that be how things are normally now?"

The news about Brexit has made it even into remote New Orleans. It is difficult to say who has had a worse day today: David Cameron, or the drunk tourist who has just fallen into the open canal construction site on Bourbon Street.

On the one hand, Great Britain is far away; on the other hand, there are historical ties and the same language, of course. And campaigner Donald Trump, who while visiting his golf course in Scotland called the decision "great" – because of the ire and of the low rate of the pound, which enticed new guests to his golf course. "A country is not a golf course," says a reporter. * “No it’s not," Trump replies, "but you’ll be amazed how similar it is.” Meanwhile on Facebook, Trump's supporter Sarah Palin congratulates the "smart Brits" whose "refreshed spirit of sovereignty spread over the pond.”**

With 33 degrees [91 F] in the shade and 60 percent humidity, a stoic heating blanket has been laid over such statements. Perhaps it is just as well. In the evening the city faces other things in the bars: the discussions about the most recent violent crimes and the new names of the local baseball team. Only Pimm's Cup, a summer cocktail also loved in England, brings the plight on the other side of the Atlantic to mind.

*Translator’s note: The original quotation, accurately translated, could not be verified.

**Translator’s note: Sarah Palin’s exact words were, “May that refreshed spirit of sovereignty spread over the pond to America's shores.”


USA: "So viele Parallelen zur Wut der Trumpisten"
Johannes Kuhn, New Orleans

Der Nachbar von gegenüber eilt herbei, um sich zu erkundigen. Als freiwilliger Wahlkampf-Helfer für Bernie Sanders erzählt er normalerweise die politischen Geschichten, doch natürlich geht es um den Brexit. "So viele Parallelen zur Wut der Trumpisten", meint er. "Ob das jetzt der Normalzustand wird?"

Die Nachricht vom Brexit ist selbst ins abgelegene New Orleans eingedrungen. Schwer zu sagen, wer heute einen schlechteren Tag erwischt hat: David Cameron oder der betrunkene Tourist, der gerade auf der Bourbon Street in die offene Kanal-Baustelle gefallen ist.

Einerseits ist Großbritannien weit weg, andererseits sind da natürlich geschichtliche Verbundenheit und gemeinsame Sprache. Und Wahlkämpfer Donald Trump, der bei dem Besuch seines Golfkurses in Schottland die Entscheidung als "großartig" bezeichnet - wegen der Wut und des niedrigen Pfund-Kurses, der neue Gäste auf seine Golfanlage lockt. "Ein Land ist kein Golfkurs", sagt ein Reporter. "Nein", entgegnet Trump, "aber Sie wären erstaunt, wie ähnlich die Sachen sich sind." Trumps Unterstützerin Sarah Palin gratuliert auf Facebook derweil den "schlauen Briten", deren "wiederbelebter Geist der Souveränität hoffentlich über den Teich schwappt".

Bei 33 Grad im Schatten und 60 Prozent Luftfeuchtigkeit legt sich ein stoischer Hitze-Teppich über solche Aussagen. Ist vielleicht auch besser so. Am Abend in den Bars wendet sich die Stadt anderen Dingen zu, den Diskussionen über die jüngsten Gewaltverbrechen und den neuen Namen des örtlichen Baseball-Teams. Nur die Pimm's Cup, ein auch in England beliebter Sommer-Cocktail, erinnert an die Misere auf der anderen Seite des Atlantiks.
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