Report: Expats Who Fled to Europe Because of Trump Get Wake Up Call, Regret the Move

Liberal Americans who fled to Europe after President Donald Trump’s reelection told Wired magazine that they made a mistake and found European countries not what they are cracked up to be. In a surprising article headlined “They Fled Trump’s America. Now They Regret It,” the magazine interviewed expats who sought “political refuge in the wake of Trump’s second term.” Most wanted to remain anonymous, fearing existing backlash from liberal Americans on social media. Instead of finding a new promised land, they expressed frustration with the continent’s “lower quality of life, the presence of right-wing elements also in those countries, and a newfound appreciation for the cultural norms and niceties of American life,” as the New York Post summarized the article. WATCH — Donald Trump Jokes with the Irish Prime Minister About Rosie O’Donell’s Move to Ireland: The article could raise eyebrows coming from Wired. Traditionally not known for political coverage, the magazine departed from its centrist high tech themes with aggressive coverage of the Trump administration and was particularly critical of MAGA ally Elon Musk’s efforts to reduce government waste with the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). The magazine also reported that data showed American migrants doubled in the first quarter of 2025 in Spain and a major surge in residency applications in the United Kingdom, with another survey showing that “political climate” in the U.S. was a major reason for “wanting to relocate.” But apparently, according to the magazine’s report, things are not so bad in the USA under Trump compared to countries like Britain and Germany, those interviewed by Wired revealed. A woman nicknamed “Annie” said she was sold the idea of an idyllic life in the UK on social media, but it was an illusion. “There are huge misconceptions about access to quality healthcare, standard of living… the quality of life is significantly lower than in the US,” she told the magazine, citing drawbacks ranging from their healthcare system to a significantly lower disposable income. “’Things in the UK that are considered luxury items are very common’ in America, like a dishwasher and dryer,” she told Wired. WATCH — “Treating Stupid Is Really Hard” Oz Opines on People Suffering from TDS: She was shocked by her experience with British health care, particularly after being told it would be “free” under the National Health Service (NHS). She said she pays “huge amounts of taxes and an immigration surcharge” for the service, adding, “So no, the health care is not free here.” She also found Brits hostile to Americans, particularly at work, and the American mindset of always seeking to improve one’s station in life. “I found it particularly surprising how people feel so comfortable mocking my accent and culture, even in a workplace environment,” she said. “The UK is very much a place of ‘it is what it is,’ but as Americans we are taught to always improve and strive for better things.” She said the British reputation of “politeness” is a movie myth. She explained, “but unfortunately, the reality is that present-day British culture is very individualistic, as well as without the sense of charity and helpfulness that many parts of American culture value.” Wired found similar experiences for Sarah Wood González, a journalist and consultant. She spent three years in Spain and Edinburgh but moved back to New York. “Something I had taken for granted is the American outgoingness and default to action, where the question is ‘how can we collaborate?’” she said. “Generally speaking, I also found that the American work style, for better or for worse, moves much faster and can get to a yes or no in less time.” Another expat named Josh moved to Berlin in 2023, anticipating Trump winning in 2024. He had lived in Germany before, spoke German, and had friends in that capital city. “But his expectations, particularly when it came to his career, didn’t align with reality,” Wired reported. WATCH — Clinical Psychiatrist Confirms TDS Is Real: “Finding work was so hard, and the endless bureaucracy had grown worse since I’d left,” Josh told the tech magazine. “I missed the friendlier people, freedom of speech, and ease of daily life” in the United States, he said. He added of German daily life, “If you aren’t born and raised there, and don’t look German, you’ll never be fully accepted. Josh told the magazine he reversed his move and is much happier back in the U.S. He acknowledged may have “overreacted” by fleeing to Europe. Another expat named Kate Glavan, described as an influencer who also often posts on left-wing causes, migrated to London in late 2024 from the Big Apple. She said she found getting influencer accounts almost impossible. Many of the brands she had previously promoted did not want anything to do with a British audience. Earlier this year, she announced she was returning to New York. Ironically, those who have been public about their regrets for moving are taking heat from liberal fellow travelers who often make unsupported accusations about them as well. According to Wired: These posts are usually met with a huge amount of backlash. Commenters are quick to imply that the poster must be right-wing and privileged, in for a nasty shock if they did return home. Ironically, many times, they parrot the right-wing notion that they probably aren’t trying hard enough to assimilate into their new country. When one person recently said they badly missed their community of friends in a “blue city in a blue state” and were considering moving back, the majority of top comments agreed the user was “insane.” Daniel Di Martino, a Manhattan Institute fellow and economist who was born in Venezuela, told Fox News Digital that some Americans have romanticized, unrealistic notions about European lifestyles. “Things aren’t always great in Europe, but Europe is not one thing,” he told the outlet. “Living in Greece, making the average salary of a Greek person, would be considered near poverty level in America. Living in Denmark, like an average Dane, is definitely fine, but they still earn much less than the average American.” Slim availability of jobs presents a serious downside as well. “The reason for this is simple: It is very hard to fire workers, so getting a job in the first place is difficult,” Martino said. Theo Wold, a former White House deputy assistant for domestic policy in Trump’s first term, told the New York Post American liberals fail to understand the hard economic facts about socialism. “American liberals want to import European socialist ideas and wave after wave of third world immigrants into the US, but it turns out that in real life, socialism and mass immigration produce countries that are poorer, less productive, and less enjoyable to call home,” he said. He added, “American liberals who moved to Europe are experiencing that firsthand…the European malaise is a real wake-up call.” Breitbart News contributor Lowell Cauffiel is the best-selling author of the Los Angeles crime novel Below the Line and nine other crime novels and nonfiction titles. See lowellcauffiel.com for more.