Being an American in London has taught me that US politics needs a good dose of British cynicism

Up until the current moment, US presidents have been revered as gods. Yes, we questioned Bill Clinton’s legitimacy after the Monica Lewinsky scandal and we forced Richard Nixon to resign after Watergate, but after they left office? Gods

We need to change the way we think about our politicians. The US demands too much reverence from its public (AFP/Getty Images)

On the first week of my study-abroad trip to London, my friends and I walked into a pub in Camden.

“The Trump girls!” the bouncer shouted enthusiastically as we handed her our American IDs.

We exchanged nervous glances and shook our heads as we entered the bar. It was the first time Trump had been mentioned to us, but it wouldn’t be the last.

Since the 2016 election, being an American abroad means something different. We have this big, orange elephant in the room and we can’t go long without someone acknowledging it.

My typical answer to the question “What is it like with Trump as your president?” is to shake my head and shrug. I think comedian John Mulaney described it best when he compared Trump to a horse loose in a hospital.

The 2016 election was my first time voting and I thought Hillary Clinton would win. But she didn’t, and now we have to embrace the chaos.

With Brexit, Brits have found themselves in a similar situation. Every time Theresa May speaks in parliament, it seems she faces groans from the British public. As the possibility of a no-deal Brexit becomes more and more likely, anxieties increase, and it seems that the world is making less and less sense to those who voted Remain.

Both societies have been confronted with the realities of democracy but our differing political outlooks mean we’ve been approaching uncertainty in different ways.

Last week, Elizabeth Warren announced her intentions to run in the 2020 presidential campaign. Before her, Kamala Harris, Cory Booker and Julian Castro all announced their campaigns. The election may be over a year away, but Americans are already being asked to decide who might get their vote.

Brits, especially Londoners, are cynical. To the Midwestern American it’s a bit jarring at first. But, after being here a month, I’ve come to value it.

During class one day, my British professor told us in no uncertain terms his thoughts about Winston Churchill, Margaret Thatcher and Theresa May. He didn’t have a good thing to say about any of them. So, I asked: “Is there a prime minister you do like?”

“Oh no, we hate our prime ministers,” he replied, smiling.

Up until the current moment, US presidents have been revered as gods. We ignore any past transgressions or mistakes made in their term. Yes, we questioned Bill Clinton’s legitimacy after the Monica Lewinsky scandal made headlines and we forced Richard Nixon to resign after Watergate, but after they left office? Gods.

We look at these presidents as honourable, respectful men who uphold American values. My parents, staunch Democrats who despised George W Bush when he was in the White House, will now say that he was a respectable man, much more so than the one who currently holds the position.

The 2020 election is quickly approaching and Americans could do with a healthy dose of British cynicism.

In some ways we’ve become more like Brits since Donald Trump entered the White House. The presidency is no longer a position reserved for those at peak human decency. A reality-star real estate mogul is president, so anyone could be president.

As more politicians announce their candidacy, Americans should think a little bit more like Brits and question those we hold to a high regard. After all, that is the point of democracy: to have our say after fully informing ourselves about the facts, rather than being blinded by celebrity or emotion.

It’s up to Americans to think a little bit about the person we choose to represent us. Trump reminded us that cynicism and scepticism — in sensible measures — can be a good thing. If we learn anything from having a man like him at the helm of our country, it should be that.