Trump’s Role and Position Throughout Asia
By Ryan “Dickie” Thompson – The Punk Rock Libertarian
I’ve spent a fair share of time wandering the world over the last few years. Since April of 2019, I’ve lived and traveled across Japan, Thailand, and eight months in the Philippines. Before that, I was in England during Brexit (in London during the Brexit vote) and even a stretch in Ireland. What you learn as a traveler is that politics doesn’t stop at national borders. Leaders have a ripple effect. And love him or hate him, Donald Trump has left footprints across Asia (and Europe) that are impossible to ignore.
Trump in Japan – Towers and Respect
In Japan, I couldn’t miss Trump’s mark. In Sapporo, there was a Trump building standing tall, and later in Tokyo, another one with “TRUMP” plastered boldly across the skyline. The Japanese don’t throw their support around lightly, and while there was a language barrier, the mood was clear: respect.
Most Japanese I interacted with, including my Chinese friend Ping who helped translate some of the political conversations, regarded Trump as a strong leader and ally. I didn’t hear negativity toward him, not once. That in itself says something. Japan is a nation that values strength and loyalty—two traits Trump has in spades.
Travels in Japan (additional more comprehensive video)
The Philippines – 100% Approval on the Street
My time in the Philippines was even more telling. For eight months, I walked the streets, talked to people, and even interviewed strangers about Trump. I can say without hesitation: the Filipino people I spoke to love Trump. I didn’t hear a single bad word. To them, he’s a straight shooter, a man of action, and someone they feel would stand with them if trouble came knocking.
It’s easy for Western media to paint Trump as universally hated overseas, but that doesn’t square with the lived experience on the ground. In the Philippines, the approval was unanimous.
Thailand and Cambodia – Trump the Dealmaker
Now, I’m in Thailand, and just last week we saw another example of Trump’s influence abroad. A border conflict flared between Thailand and Cambodia. In years past, this could’ve escalated into bloodshed. But Trump intervened, not with bombs, not with endless war, but with leverage—trade deals.
According to Reuters, Trump’s direct call helped break the deadlock between the two nations, de-escalating the crisis before it spiraled out of control (Reuters Report). That’s real diplomacy. Not endless negotiations, not U.N. resolutions collecting dust—just decisive action that reminded both sides what they had to lose.
Europe and Brexit – Trump’s Shadow in the West
It wasn’t just Asia where I saw Trump’s fingerprints. Back in 2017, I was in England during the Brexit upheaval. Immigration policy and sovereignty were the hot issues, and Trump’s politics—whether the media admits it or not—played a role in emboldening Brexit supporters.
In London, at an Airbnb, I even spotted a TRUMP magnet on the fridge. That may not sound like much, but in a city that supposedly “hates” him, symbols like that tell another story. In Ireland, too, I heard more favorable views than negative ones.
Media vs. Reality
Here’s the truth: the narrative being pumped out by Trump’s enemies—the Soroses, the Murdochs, the establishment media barons—is a distortion. They need Trump to be a villain because he threatens their grip on power. They spin every move, every deal, every win into a caricature.
But the reality I’ve seen, from Asia to Europe, is much different. By and large, people respect Trump. They see him as a leader who acts instead of dithers, who cuts through red tape, and who doesn’t apologize for defending his people’s interests. And slowly, the global media landscape is shifting. Outlets like Sky News Australia have begun reflecting that shift—listening more to real people and less to radical globalists.
Final Thoughts
Traveling teaches you that perspective matters. What we hear inside the American media bubble doesn’t always match what people abroad are actually saying. From the streets of Manila to the towers of Tokyo, from Brexit debates in London to border disputes in Thailand—Trump isn’t seen as a cartoon villain. He’s seen as a strongman, a dealmaker, and for many, a friend.
The empire of spin is crumbling, and reality is starting to break through. As someone who’s been on the ground, I can tell you: the world sees Trump far differently than his enemies want you to believe.
Stay loud. Stay skeptical. Stay free.
— Ryan “Dickie” Thompson
The Punk Rock Libertarian
Disruptarian Radio
Travel references:
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