Dear Michael 

A warm hello from Franklin, Tennessee.

We’ve been visiting Ruth’s family during the school holidays, and we’re about to start the long journey home to Perth—so this will be a short update.

On the family side, it’s a joy to reconnect with loved ones and introduce our youngest, Jemimah, to her American family.

So, here are a few observations from this side of the world:

1. This patch of Tennessee is quiet Trump country.

We’ve been staying in Williamson County, which voted 62% for Trump in 2020.

We’ve seen a few campaign signs around but one of the interesting things is the near absence of politics in daily life.

It's a part of the USA where people work hard, enjoy good things like family and friends, and devote time and energy to their local communities.

People aren’t in your face with their ideology, nor are they trying to redefine reality.

It’s refreshing, and I think that’s the key to understanding why people are voting for Trump: they want to be left alone, and they want normality.

2. The attempted assassination of former President Trump was truly shocking.

I learned about it on the road back from Chattanooga, where I took Jonathan to see the historic Civil War battlefields of Chickamauga and Chattanooga on Saturday.

We stopped for dinner at a restaurant. No one seemed to be aware of it, except one man who stopped me with urgency as I walked in declaring with his phone in hand—‘President Trump has been shot!’.

I answered, yes, I’ve heard, it’s terrible. He said to me—‘I just needed to tell somebody!’ His shock was palpable.

People were simultaneously outraged, and thankful that President Trump was not badly hurt or killed.

I think most people understand the stakes, especially since the USA is so divided right now.

The Civil War battlefields and monuments here in Tennessee remind people of what happens when social cohesion breaks down, division becomes entrenched, and differences are resolved violently.

3. Despite all the turbulence, I’m still impressed by the energy and drive of the American people, economy and society.

Australia’s past and present is tied to the United States in many ways, and there is good reason to be optimistic about the future.

Yes, there are challenges. But there is plenty of life in the USA, and green shoots to celebrate. New businesses, new schools and magnificent new homes.

Those doomers declaring the imminent demise of the USA should visit places like Tennessee for a reality check.

A wonderful trip, but I’m looking forward to getting home, and seeing you soon.

Thanks for your ongoing support.

Regards

Andrew Hastie