In Rennes, the election of Donald Trump makes Franco-Americans cringe

Donald Trump becomes the 47th president of the United Statesand the billionaire is preparing to bring a gallery of colorful characters into the White House, starting with JD Vance, as vice-president, but also ElonMusk.

Elon Musk et Robert Kennedy Jr

During the campaign, the atypical senator from Ohio was mired in a series of controversies with the resurgence of old videos. In one of them, JD Vance accused the ruling Democrats of being a bunch of “unhappy cat ladies“without awareness of”direct interest” of the country, since they are devoid of offspring… Donald Trump affirmed that he intended to charge Elon Musk with leading a “He completes the audit” of the administration to reform it. The boss of SpaceX and Tesla spent more than $110 million of his personal fortune to get him elected. Donald Trump also pledged to entrust a “important role” in the health field to Robert Kennedy Jr., the nephew of the former president “JFK“. A vaccine skeptic, known for spreading conspiracy theories.

In Rennes, the Franco-American Institute opened its doors this Wednesday morning to Bretons. Nicolas Beaty, a French-American Democrat, “sincerely hope that the American Republicans will be able to win this election with dignity… without overdoing it.” For him, “many Americans support the Republican camp, and perhaps not the character of Donald Trump.”

They do most of their business in France and the United States respectively.

With Trump, there is a strong return to assumed protectionism. Should we be worried about negative economic consequences for France and Europe? Eric Beaty is economic advisor to the American Consulate for the Great West: that “fears the European Union, it's the customs duties that Trump talked about during his campaign. As for whether it's going to happen, I don't know if it's set in stone because he's changed the percentage several times. I think that American investments in France and French investments in the United States are not unduly affected. They do most of their business on the territory of France and the United States respectively.

Credit : Yann Launay

The results were followed on a giant screen at the Franco-American Institute, with American nationals in the assembly overwhelmingly Democratic. Faced with the results, a lot of disappointment, a few tears, and fear, as expressed by Selden and Karine, two English assistants who came from Georgia for Selden and from Chicago for Karine.

“In the United States, daily life is not really run by the president. But what scares me is that the president has a lot of power in relation to international relations. He's not really stable, he can wake up one day and say anything about anyone… and that can offend a lot of people, especially with tensions rising.

We will keep hope and fight peacefully.

I also fear for the model that gives young people: the permission it gives people to let go, to treat people like trash. We are not going to have a violent counter-revolution, but we are going to keep hope and fight peacefully.”

For Selden, Donald Trump is “very good at talking to people, Who feel uncomfortable with American culture (wokism), people a little lost in our society… I see people who prefer Trump to be there so he can be stronger against immigration.” The reasons for the vote are mainly “immigration and the economy.”

I don't think Trump is the answer, but he plays on that contempt.

Jacqueline says she is surprised by the number of votes obtained by Trump. Even if this native of Maine, who teaches at Rennes 2, says she understands those around her who voted for him. “Part of my family on my mother's side comes from what we call generational poverty and there is not much help or hope. Many jobs that were previously valued or respected are now so. less and less. A lot of contempt for those who have not had higher education. I think of people I know and respect, who voted for Trump, and who don't have a lot of money. They feel a little forgotten.

I don't think Trump is the answer but he plays on that contempt. He uses very simple words, he worked at McDonald's one day and he dressed as a garbage collector. It's not for nothing that he does this.”

Credit : Yann Launay

At 78, Donald Trump will be the oldest American leader to take the oath of office on January 20, 2025.