A classic of the aftermath of an election: people in the losing camp threaten to leave the country because the new elected official repels them so much. It should come as no surprise that the election of a figure as polarizing as Donald Trump has brought back this threat.
However, I have discomfort with public figures, artists with a large audience, who brandish this threat. Singer Cher declared before the election her intention to leave the country if Trump was elected. Same thing for actress and pop singer Raven-Symoné.
Barbara Streisand said a similar thing to Stephen Colbert. The performer in the film BarbieAmerica Ferrera, would consider fleeing her country to settle in the United Kingdom, just like Sophie Turner of Games of Throne. Sharon Stone would rather target Italy. In 2020, Bruce Springsteen played this game.
Gros bluff
I feel unwell for several reasons. Firstly because almost all of these threats are never real. It doesn’t sound right. And that sounds like a person who gives himself disproportionate importance. And it sounds above everyone else, like “I’m rich, I can afford to live wherever I want.” Exactly the kind of elitism that made Trump win.
I also feel uneasy because we heard the same threats after Trump’s first election. And how many are really gone? They stayed in the United States, continued their careers and since they earn a lot of money, they happily took advantage of Trump’s tax cuts.
Moreover, in concrete terms, what made wealthy artists or millionaires move was much more taxation than political principles. Taxation in both directions: the temptation to leave a jurisdiction which suddenly increases wealth taxes or the attraction of a country which offers advantageous taxation.
Does anyone remember when Ireland declared creative cultural products tax-free? Quite a few artists have discovered a sudden passion for Guinness, leprechauns and four-leaf clovers.
Contempt?
I feel uncomfortable with the quasi-disdain shown for the opinions of others when we speak like this. As much as I find it very legitimate for an artist to publicly express his political or social convictions, I believe that this must be done with respect for others. Threatening to leave the country is an inelegant way of disregarding the vote of a large part of the population (51% in the case of Trump). Those who go to see your films or listen to your music.
A person has every right to flee their country when political conditions are unbearable. Or even if she just wants to live somewhere else. But when you’re a privileged citizen of a wealthy democracy, you have to guard against embarrassment. And above all, avoid throwing this threat into the air as a contemptuous look at the majority vote.
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