I’m not even American. Born just before D-day, taught to read by Donald Duck , grown up with AFN & VOA Music USA streaming from my radio,John Wayne and Henry Fonda at the movies,VOA streaming as JFK was shot, in -64 crossing the US from NYC to Mexico City for 99$ in a Greyhound, met by friends -in a red Texas Mustang, cheering in Sweden watching the Eagle Moon landing live, and watching Reagan & Gorbachov agree to Peace. Whereas today- I’m not only embarrassed -as a European, I feel betrayed. Deeply betrayed -as most Europeans.To me, visiting North America again- after 70 Atlantic crossings in my career- today would mean- going to Canada and Mexico- 2 countries I have lived in , and learnt to love. 2 countries run by Statesmen you can trust. While the true America-has been kidnapped-by a government behaving strangely like an enemy-like the authoritarian Germany my friend’s fathers,uncles and their friends died to fight.Never thought I’d live to see America like This-as a re-enactment of the Godfather IRL.
I listen to you all the time on MS NOW. Please keep up the good fight. Most are deeply embarrassed by Trump and his Administration’s actions. I know I am.
Michael McFaul, I was first introduced to you via MSNBC when the Russians attacked Ukraine full force in February 2022. I don’t remember which member of the MS NOW team interviewed you, but I certainly remember the conversation and emotions. You described speaking with friends in Ukraine and their descriptions and experiences in the attack. Your feelings for your friends and their country were evident and shared by those of us who were watching. I began to cry. Their experiences were so tragic. It was “up close and personal.”Ever since that evening, I’m grateful for your reporting and the insights you share with us. Please take care. With warm thoughts, and many thanks, a follower,
I also found it shocking and frankly surreal to hear the US Secretary of State touting white Christian nationalism IN MUNICH! The Cuban guy going on and on about our shared European culture. I wonder what the Germans thought.
Thank you, Michael. I live in Kyiv, and I feel the increase in russian attacks ever since Trump became president and the U.S. government relinquished its efforts to support Ukraine militarily. I know that there are businesses, organizations, and people in the U.S. who are still with us, and I hope there will be more. Ukraine is resilient, but so many of our people are being killed on the frontline and in the rear, and that is an irreparable loss that could have been at least partly prevented with more weapons support, timely weapons support, air defense, and military aid.
I agree with you entirely. And as a Dane I find it valuable that there are still sensible Americans, even if they are hard to find these days… I have just read in my newspaper how condescending Lindsay Graham treated our prime minister in Munich.
Thank you and there are more of us than you think. We outnumber MAGA. There is evidence that he cheated in the last election and hopefully it can be investigated thoroughly if we ever get our country back. I stand with Europe and NATO. I always have and always will as my own father helped to defeat the Nazis in WW2. It’s hard to stay positive with all the terrifying and outrageous things happening here but I believe one day good can prevail.
Like you, I’m a Russian speaking, Russian history major. I lived in Russia for more than 20 years as a lawyer for a major global law firm from 1990-2012. Have been to your Embassy July 4th parties and have read your books. But I am Canadian and am sad, not happy, to see your presidential system so touted for the Russians during the 90s, result in Trump and Putin. The parliamentary system allows more control over the “leader”. Embarrassed Americans should be. Enraged is what most Canadians are after being attacked economically and insulted repeatedly by your president. It will take decades for the rupture to be mended.
Agreed. I identity as Canadian (landed immigrant from the US in 1981, citizen 2007) and have lately been unable to separate all Americans from the administration. I don't think that time will allow any nation to return to the old status quo. Carney's Davos speech was a rare point where speech met with words that were forming in everyone's mind. Hegemons don't exist if we simply don't treat them as hegemons. They are simply other countries that we can trade with, ally with (or not) and maintain cultural relationships with. The US will not be coming back and for that we should be grateful.
Thank you for always trying Michael, YOU make America proud with your intellect & empathy for Ukrainians and all peoples yearning for freedom. Sadly, I don't think we can be proud of America until that orange POS is removed from squatting in our White House and the entire Maga cultists who follow & support this brand of fascism are stopped. Please be safe out there, peace & love 🙏💙🕊
Thank you, Ambassador McFaul. Little Marco, protection, not patriotism, left any shred of doubt about who he is in (appropriately!) Munich. At 91, keeping arthritic fingers stretched practicing a riproaring version of the Ukrainian national anthem, writing GOTV postcards as I know the meaning of the ‘26 election, sending applause for you.
Unfortunately, our country has been hijacked by a criminal cult led by Trump, that answers only to transactional benefits it can obtain for itself, not for the country as a whole. He is nothing more than a mafia boss, looking to steal and grift as much as he can for himself and his close associates. Very much like the autocratic leaders he admires (Putin, Orban, etc.). Until we get Trump and his rabid followers out of power, there is not much we can do about U.S. international policy. But we must do it soon, because the rest of the world is devolving from the rules-based order that the U.S. had championed for so long, and that helped make the U.S. a world leader for many decades. Without proper U.S. leadership, the world could fast descend into a new feudal-like Dark Ages.
I hope for an impeachment trial of Donald Trump after the midterm elections that would give Democrats the numbers needed in the House and the Senate. Rep. Dan Goldman was talking about it this week. The thought of 3 more years of Trump as President is horrifying for Ukraine and our allies.
America only joined WW2 half way through and only then because Japan attacked America. Until then America happily sold weapons to the UK. And Russia was allied with Germany (Molotov Ribbentrop)
Sounds familiar? America First was the cry.
Meanwhile Canadians, Australians, Kiwis and others joined the UK straight away to fight fascism.
With all respect to US serviceman who died in the invasion of Europe and those who came earlier to fight because of their personal principles.
Absolutely true! And Canadians know it — our country fought all four years in WW1 and six years in WW11. And the US president thinks we’ll capitulate to superior economic and military might if challenges. Think again! Putin thought he’d take Kyiv and the whole country in a few days. Four years later…
Lots were based around my village in SE England. House in middle of village called Canada House with soldiers names carved on the walls! Old people still remember.
I always wear a Canadian flag pin when not in the US - have done so since Reagan. I also apologize for insane Republican foreign policies when I check into a foreign hotel, as they know my address.
I’m moving to Iceland. I can’t handle living in a country where men & boys encourage each other to hunt females for sport, blame females for all their mistakes & crimes, and want to end healthcare for female reproductive systems, steal female civil rights & our votes, continue to never prosecute males for crimes against females.
Cops protect males, not females. Bro Code rules all US law enforcement, courts, the military. That’s why 90% of rapes go unreported. Yet, females still pay taxes that subsidize every component & employee in the federal, state & local justice systems.
Men are our predators, not protectors. They are socialized from day 1 that they are fully human and deserve everything they want because they have a penis AND that anyone with a vagina is chattel that MUST serve them without consent, without agency, without choice, without freedom of thought. Beating, raping & murdering females is ok - she deserved it, she’s a lying slut.
Patriarchal society is the least economically efficient, least productive, least humane system. It hurts everyone, including the men who cling so hard to the lie that they are born superior.
#1 cause of death of pregnant humans in the US? Murder at the hands of their inseminator. #2? Lack of access to medical care because OB/GYNs have left Red States due to the illegality of providing life & fertility-saving care to miscarriage patients, rape victims or girls impregnated by adult males, because men don’t have a clue how our bodies work. 99% of males can’t even semi-accurately draw a clitoris.
Females no longer need males. Being pregnant is now a likely death sentence (~30% of all pregnancies end in miscarriage - our bodies control evolution, not men’s). Sepsis kills in minutes without medical intervention. Making OB/GYN services illegal kills & maims females of all ages - every one of us needs specialized reproductive care until death.
Forced pregnancy, forced labor, forced birth = slavery. Withholding healthcare from over 25% of the US population today is large-scale, government-sponsored femicide. FatHitler, JD, two thirds of SCOTUS, the majority of governors & state legislators, more than 1/2 of Congress & all the pedophile religious leaders want 52% of US humans to lose our rights to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.
And, because men in power continue to promote & legislate for the use of fossil fuels, all science to the contrary, any kids born today will not have a happy future. No one’s genes are so important they need to reproduce on a planet that’s morbidly obese in population. 8+ billion is maybe 8x too many humans. Climate change will cause huge waves of global migration - all the white supremacists are morons; they can’t stop it.
I am more than ashamed of my country. I can’t live here another month.
You have every right to be both ashamed and embarrassed. We all are.
I’m embarrassed every day and I’m in the US! I feel for you! 😭
I’m not even American. Born just before D-day, taught to read by Donald Duck , grown up with AFN & VOA Music USA streaming from my radio,John Wayne and Henry Fonda at the movies,VOA streaming as JFK was shot, in -64 crossing the US from NYC to Mexico City for 99$ in a Greyhound, met by friends -in a red Texas Mustang, cheering in Sweden watching the Eagle Moon landing live, and watching Reagan & Gorbachov agree to Peace. Whereas today- I’m not only embarrassed -as a European, I feel betrayed. Deeply betrayed -as most Europeans.To me, visiting North America again- after 70 Atlantic crossings in my career- today would mean- going to Canada and Mexico- 2 countries I have lived in , and learnt to love. 2 countries run by Statesmen you can trust. While the true America-has been kidnapped-by a government behaving strangely like an enemy-like the authoritarian Germany my friend’s fathers,uncles and their friends died to fight.Never thought I’d live to see America like This-as a re-enactment of the Godfather IRL.
Don’t blame you. Most everyone is and should continue doing the same. Sad. 😢
Gunnar - !! Thank You !!
I listen to you all the time on MS NOW. Please keep up the good fight. Most are deeply embarrassed by Trump and his Administration’s actions. I know I am.
Michael McFaul, I was first introduced to you via MSNBC when the Russians attacked Ukraine full force in February 2022. I don’t remember which member of the MS NOW team interviewed you, but I certainly remember the conversation and emotions. You described speaking with friends in Ukraine and their descriptions and experiences in the attack. Your feelings for your friends and their country were evident and shared by those of us who were watching. I began to cry. Their experiences were so tragic. It was “up close and personal.”Ever since that evening, I’m grateful for your reporting and the insights you share with us. Please take care. With warm thoughts, and many thanks, a follower,
SCFriedley
I also found it shocking and frankly surreal to hear the US Secretary of State touting white Christian nationalism IN MUNICH! The Cuban guy going on and on about our shared European culture. I wonder what the Germans thought.
They were horrified. The European Parliament has been speaking about Minneapolis specifically and sounding the alarm.
Thank you, Michael. I live in Kyiv, and I feel the increase in russian attacks ever since Trump became president and the U.S. government relinquished its efforts to support Ukraine militarily. I know that there are businesses, organizations, and people in the U.S. who are still with us, and I hope there will be more. Ukraine is resilient, but so many of our people are being killed on the frontline and in the rear, and that is an irreparable loss that could have been at least partly prevented with more weapons support, timely weapons support, air defense, and military aid.
Thanks for your note Svitlana. Honored to know I have reader in Kyiv
I agree with you entirely. And as a Dane I find it valuable that there are still sensible Americans, even if they are hard to find these days… I have just read in my newspaper how condescending Lindsay Graham treated our prime minister in Munich.
thanks
Thank you and there are more of us than you think. We outnumber MAGA. There is evidence that he cheated in the last election and hopefully it can be investigated thoroughly if we ever get our country back. I stand with Europe and NATO. I always have and always will as my own father helped to defeat the Nazis in WW2. It’s hard to stay positive with all the terrifying and outrageous things happening here but I believe one day good can prevail.
Lindsay Graham is an embarrassment!!
Good to know.
Q p p
We will be sorry that Trump is turning his back on Ukraine.
Like you, I’m a Russian speaking, Russian history major. I lived in Russia for more than 20 years as a lawyer for a major global law firm from 1990-2012. Have been to your Embassy July 4th parties and have read your books. But I am Canadian and am sad, not happy, to see your presidential system so touted for the Russians during the 90s, result in Trump and Putin. The parliamentary system allows more control over the “leader”. Embarrassed Americans should be. Enraged is what most Canadians are after being attacked economically and insulted repeatedly by your president. It will take decades for the rupture to be mended.
As an American who loathes trump, I am enraged and embarrassed
Agreed. I identity as Canadian (landed immigrant from the US in 1981, citizen 2007) and have lately been unable to separate all Americans from the administration. I don't think that time will allow any nation to return to the old status quo. Carney's Davos speech was a rare point where speech met with words that were forming in everyone's mind. Hegemons don't exist if we simply don't treat them as hegemons. They are simply other countries that we can trade with, ally with (or not) and maintain cultural relationships with. The US will not be coming back and for that we should be grateful.
Thank you for always trying Michael, YOU make America proud with your intellect & empathy for Ukrainians and all peoples yearning for freedom. Sadly, I don't think we can be proud of America until that orange POS is removed from squatting in our White House and the entire Maga cultists who follow & support this brand of fascism are stopped. Please be safe out there, peace & love 🙏💙🕊
thanks
John McCain championed Ukraine. MAGA has ruined Republicans.
Thank you, Ambassador McFaul. Little Marco, protection, not patriotism, left any shred of doubt about who he is in (appropriately!) Munich. At 91, keeping arthritic fingers stretched practicing a riproaring version of the Ukrainian national anthem, writing GOTV postcards as I know the meaning of the ‘26 election, sending applause for you.
thanks
I am not sure embarassment is a strong enough word; it's humiliating.
good point
Unfortunately, our country has been hijacked by a criminal cult led by Trump, that answers only to transactional benefits it can obtain for itself, not for the country as a whole. He is nothing more than a mafia boss, looking to steal and grift as much as he can for himself and his close associates. Very much like the autocratic leaders he admires (Putin, Orban, etc.). Until we get Trump and his rabid followers out of power, there is not much we can do about U.S. international policy. But we must do it soon, because the rest of the world is devolving from the rules-based order that the U.S. had championed for so long, and that helped make the U.S. a world leader for many decades. Without proper U.S. leadership, the world could fast descend into a new feudal-like Dark Ages.
I hope for an impeachment trial of Donald Trump after the midterm elections that would give Democrats the numbers needed in the House and the Senate. Rep. Dan Goldman was talking about it this week. The thought of 3 more years of Trump as President is horrifying for Ukraine and our allies.
And for us too!
Hopefully, to add the VP on the exit door
America only joined WW2 half way through and only then because Japan attacked America. Until then America happily sold weapons to the UK. And Russia was allied with Germany (Molotov Ribbentrop)
Sounds familiar? America First was the cry.
Meanwhile Canadians, Australians, Kiwis and others joined the UK straight away to fight fascism.
With all respect to US serviceman who died in the invasion of Europe and those who came earlier to fight because of their personal principles.
Absolutely true! And Canadians know it — our country fought all four years in WW1 and six years in WW11. And the US president thinks we’ll capitulate to superior economic and military might if challenges. Think again! Putin thought he’d take Kyiv and the whole country in a few days. Four years later…
Lots were based around my village in SE England. House in middle of village called Canada House with soldiers names carved on the walls! Old people still remember.
I always wear a Canadian flag pin when not in the US - have done so since Reagan. I also apologize for insane Republican foreign policies when I check into a foreign hotel, as they know my address.
I’m moving to Iceland. I can’t handle living in a country where men & boys encourage each other to hunt females for sport, blame females for all their mistakes & crimes, and want to end healthcare for female reproductive systems, steal female civil rights & our votes, continue to never prosecute males for crimes against females.
Cops protect males, not females. Bro Code rules all US law enforcement, courts, the military. That’s why 90% of rapes go unreported. Yet, females still pay taxes that subsidize every component & employee in the federal, state & local justice systems.
Men are our predators, not protectors. They are socialized from day 1 that they are fully human and deserve everything they want because they have a penis AND that anyone with a vagina is chattel that MUST serve them without consent, without agency, without choice, without freedom of thought. Beating, raping & murdering females is ok - she deserved it, she’s a lying slut.
Patriarchal society is the least economically efficient, least productive, least humane system. It hurts everyone, including the men who cling so hard to the lie that they are born superior.
#1 cause of death of pregnant humans in the US? Murder at the hands of their inseminator. #2? Lack of access to medical care because OB/GYNs have left Red States due to the illegality of providing life & fertility-saving care to miscarriage patients, rape victims or girls impregnated by adult males, because men don’t have a clue how our bodies work. 99% of males can’t even semi-accurately draw a clitoris.
Females no longer need males. Being pregnant is now a likely death sentence (~30% of all pregnancies end in miscarriage - our bodies control evolution, not men’s). Sepsis kills in minutes without medical intervention. Making OB/GYN services illegal kills & maims females of all ages - every one of us needs specialized reproductive care until death.
Forced pregnancy, forced labor, forced birth = slavery. Withholding healthcare from over 25% of the US population today is large-scale, government-sponsored femicide. FatHitler, JD, two thirds of SCOTUS, the majority of governors & state legislators, more than 1/2 of Congress & all the pedophile religious leaders want 52% of US humans to lose our rights to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.
And, because men in power continue to promote & legislate for the use of fossil fuels, all science to the contrary, any kids born today will not have a happy future. No one’s genes are so important they need to reproduce on a planet that’s morbidly obese in population. 8+ billion is maybe 8x too many humans. Climate change will cause huge waves of global migration - all the white supremacists are morons; they can’t stop it.
I am more than ashamed of my country. I can’t live here another month.
Bravo!