How Some Londoners Perceived the American Presidential Inauguration

By Emily Kowalske, February 4, 2025
"As someone who has only talked with Americans about American politics before this experience, I was curious to garner the locals’ feelings on the subject since I was here for this year’s presidential inauguration."
White House

Hello! My name is Emily Kowalske and I’m a third year student here at ICLC. I’m a politics major and am currently partaking in an internship with a Member of Parliament here in London. As someone who has only talked with Americans about American politics before this experience, I was curious to garner the locals’ feelings on the subject since I was here for this year’s presidential inauguration.

On Monday 20 January, President Trump was sworn into the United States’ highest office for the second time as the 47th president. However, this year’s presidential inauguration was anything but ordinary. Last minute location changes, billionaires with front row seats, two inaugural speeches, and laughter from certain audience members were just some of the reasons that the 2025 inauguration had many feeling like they were watching a car crash and just couldn’t look away. At least that seems to be the general sentiment here in London.. Unlike being in the U.S, just about everyone I’ve come across here has had negative emotions towards this new presidential administration. Without having to ask locals directly what their feelings are about the current state of American politics, various events and interactions I’ve encountered in the last week have alerted me to the fact that Londoners are aware we may be in for a rocky four years.

Westminster

In conversation with my British coworkers in the MP office I am interning in, they completely understand me when I tell them that it is refreshing to immerse myself in a different country’s government system and take a break from my own. Small comments made in the office here and there also indicated to me a feeling that the Trump administration may be a difficult one to deal with. Additionally, when I’ve met people either in passing on the street or hanging out in a pub, after they hear my blatant accent, I inevitably get the question of why I’m here and what I’m studying. The look on their faces after I say politics is always the same- a look of slight disbelief, amazement, and even pity. These are not looks of interest, but rather an unspoken knowing that I, as an American studying politics, have a lot to deal with.

London people

The most fun experience I’ve had that has greatly signified to me the British feelings towards Trump were on the Friday after the inauguration when I spent the evening out at The Blues Kitchen in Shoreditch. As if the band felt our American energy, as soon as my friends and I made it to the dance floor, the lead in the jazz band made an announcement that he had a message for President Trump and for everyone to put their middle fingers in the air. Everyone cheered and the band then went on to play the song “F You” by Lily Allen with the entire packed club singing along.

All in all, the message that I’ve received from Londoners so far about the returning American president has been clear and negative. As an American, this communal feeling has been interesting to witness because at home you never know what side someone might be on.