Trump Exhaustion Syndrome is infecting the world

Trump Exhaustion Syndrome is infecting the world
At the Cannes Film Festival, international attendees mourn the decline of American culture — and democracy

By Brian Karem
White House columnist
Published May 22, 2026 9:00AM (EDT)


(Salon) It was hard to think about Donald Trump last week while relaxing in a comfortable chair 50 yards from the beach on the French Riviera. As I took a sip from a glass of Côtes du Rhône and went through my notes, I caught a stray snippet of conversation between a man and woman walking on the sidewalk adjacent to an apparently “clothing optional” beach.

“Did you hear what he said?” the woman asked, impeccably dressed in a red and black chiffon evening gown.

“What?” replied the man, who was wearing a Brion Tuxedo with a claret-colored cummerbund.

“’Six genders. Real hater on Jesus,’” she said, quoting Trump’s attack on James Talarico, the Democratic Senate candidate from Texas. “He mispronounced ‘vegan’ as ‘vagan.’”

....(snip)....

It is a microcosm of the world’s society, with one important exception: Nearly everyone attending the festival is well educated. They are smart and well-traveled, and it appears an overwhelming majority of them despise Trump. While America’s home-grown narcissistic leader would obviously enjoy being the topic of endless conversation, especially at the billionaire soirées, he was vilified at parties from the bars near the festival venue to the largest super yacht — even as those talking say they don’t want to talk about him.

....(snip)....

While being an American overseas is difficult, those not from the United States find the Trump era difficult for another reason. For Anthony, a filmmaker from Italy, “it is like mourning the loss of a parent. You come to love America, its culture, and you see one man killing it. I love America.” .......................(more)

https://www.salon.com/2026/05/22/trump-exhaustion-syndrome-is-infecting-the-world/