Bullied Out of the U.S., People Are Leaving: Three Stories

We all remember the ongoing threats from celebrities in 2016 claiming they would move to another country if Trump won. A few actually did move and then came back in 2021. In 2024 when Trump won, conversely, only a few said it, but a significant number actually did move out of country, with less fanfare. Further, in my orbit, many folks threatened in 2016, but did not move. Over the last few months, many friends and acquaintances have said they would move and now, are seriously looking into it. Concerning to say the least.

Then an interesting thing started happening over the last three months regularly when I was attending events, at meetings, parties or giving remarks at speaking engagements. Folks started coming up to me telling their loved ones or they, themselves had either moved out of country, were preparing to move or seriously considering it. All involved stories involving fear or complete disillusionment, all based in feeling bullied by this administration. These conversations left a mark on me and as a result, I researched the topic, and it looks like there may be a movement afoot.

First the stories…

Unprotected and ignored
At an impromptu holiday party in late December, a friend pulled me aside wide-eyed. She said her son was moving to Canada. This young man, twenty-five years old, is not erratic or given to being impetuous in any way, quite the contrary. The decision is not rash, he had been thinking about it for two years. His mother went on to say tearfully “He has just simply had with the Democratic party and their inability to protect us. He says they were so busy appeasing Wall Street, they left working families and young people out to dry. Of course he loathes the MAGA people, DOGE and Trump, but he feels like this mess we are in would have been avoidable, if they had simply asked people they really wanted.” She indicated he has successfully received temporary work status in Canada and will likely be gone by summer. I tried to console her but also offered that I understood his thinking.

It's not healthy here
After a speaking engagement, I walked into the ladies and saw two women who had been sitting in the back of the room, approach me. They were sisters. They shared the story of their third sister who was moving to the UK. The reasons cited: “it was unhealthy for kids to live here. Everyone’s mental health is being compromised and assaulted at every turn.” Their sister was a therapist with two young children and even though she was acutely aware of the shortage of therapists, she just could not take it anymore. Clearly, thick as thieves as siblings, the two sisters were distraught and continued to plead with her to stay. I hugged them and commiserated, but did not deny Americans’ mental health is in jeopardy with a tyrant, dictator, lunatic and bully running the country now.

We no longer believe in science
Recently I shared a stage with a serious of health, disease and healthcare systems experts where one of the scientists came up to me at the luncheon afterwards and asked to talk. “…I am at a precipice right now. I am worried about my job as a researcher and scientist because we are federally funded, and it looks like our funding has been pulled. Worse, it feels like this country, under this administration no longer believe in innovation and science.” He rubbed his forehead, and we began to talk about if he would ever have job security again. He was rightfully angry because on top of everything else he was worried while he was an American citizen, he said he was also an immigrant and was terrified that he would be deported regardless. He was seriously considering moving to Mexico City where science is better valued. I told him I hoped he would stay.
I must tell you all, I felt horribly because I could not offer any solutions to any of these folks. As a fanatical fixer of problems, the inability to help these people left me exhausted. I did share with all of them that I truly believe in Team America, and we were making progress through the boycotts, protests and the state attorney’s lawsuits, but rightfully, they were not assuaged.

The numbers…
In a recent Redfin study, Americans were asked about moving post election in 2024:
-36% of respondents indicated they had at the very least entertained moving to a different country
-26% of Democrats said they would consider moving to a different state
-27% are now very likely to move to a place where their political views are more in alignment
Meanwhile, in February, the Ireland Department of Foreign Affairs has seen a 50 percent increase in the number of Americans seeking Irish passports. People are flooding to Google and social media to research leaving the US. In February, a new TikTok channel was started called “Escape The USA” gaining 11,000 followers in days.

The reason these facts sting for many of us is that for all of time, the U.S. has been known as the place to flee to in order to be free and live as you wish. Now, that may not be the case. The undeniable irony in all of this, is that while Trump, Musk and the MAGA folks were paranoid and worried about immigration, they now have a new problem, hundreds of thousands of folks who want to emigrate away from this country and other folks who now, would never consider moving to the U.S.
I choose to stay and fight. I believe in Team America. I do believe we are now mounting a strong opposition. I feel better than I have in the last 4 months. Of course, the citizens and activist are leading. Recently, a few leaders are emerging and starting to fight with gusto: Bernie, AOC, Ro Khanna, Tim Walz and Jasmine Crockett. The rallies in republican districts are crushing it and attracting 30-40,000 people.

Public sentiment is changing. Remember: no protest of this magnitude has worked unless it is consistent, long (years, not months) and includes a boycott component. We got this folks! Keep going! Please remember on April 5th, Indivisible will be leading an unprecedented event: A General Strike. Attendance is mandatory, find the location in your area:
https://handsoff2025.com/?SQF_...