It might be a party in the USA, but not everyone is celebrating. 

As America marks our 250th anniversary, an interesting phenomenon is playing out: World Cup tourists are falling in love with a nation that the Left increasingly disdains.  

For a party that consistently bemoans “privilege,” their failure to see and appreciate their own is becoming a defining story of this pivotal moment in our nation’s history. 

For example, USA Today platforms columnist Nancy Armour, who calls the United States “hateful” and accuses our citizens of choosing to be “ugly Americans” as we welcome international soccer fans. Contrast that with the X account of German tourist Freddy, who not only wrote “I love Americans” after being offered a ride by a hotel receptionist when it was raining, but is finding both beauty and joy here, from the peaks of Georgia’s mountains to the comforts of a 1:00 AM Waffle House All-Star Special.   

A prominent liberal X account calls for a “boycott” of America “until the Trump regime is gone.” Meanwhile, post after post from these visitors highlight the charm of southern hospitality and acts of kindness displayed to players and fans alike (along with the accolades that our nationwide free refills policy more than deserves). 

When foreigners marvel at a sprawling college football stadium, country music radio, fully stocked shelves in grocery superstores, and shooting ranges inside a sporting goods store, they’re commenting on more than just infrastructure — they’re expressing admiration for a culture of ingenuity, abundance, choice, and freedom. 

The United States is the oldest democracy in the world and is the freest and most prosperous nation to ever exist. That deserves to be celebrated. By and large, conservatives got the memo, demonstrated by a recent NBC poll which found that 90 percent of the GOP identify as “extremely” or “very” proud to be an American, compared to only 29 percent of those in the Democratic Party. 

I don’t pretend to understand the ins and outs of the liberal mind hive, but we can’t ignore the very real role Trump Derangement Syndrome is playing in the driving of this pessimistic narrative. The president cannot so much as throw a country-wide state fair without facing backlash, boycotts, and criticism, with the artists who originally agreed to participate caving to pressure and canceling their performances. They call the event divisive and political, when what they really mean to is this: they do not want to be associated with joy and patriotism for fear of being canceled by the radical Left. 

Our forefathers once fought tyranny; now, our country caves to it in a different form — wokeness. That’s not to say Democrats represent the majority; but they’re loud, they’re angry, and they’re striking fear in the hearts of people who live and die by the internet’s opinion of them. 

Simply put, they’re miserable, and they want you to be miserable, too. Don’t come to the USA for the World Cup. Don’t watch the historic UFC event on the White House lawn. Rail against policies that keep us safe. Downplay the efforts to beautify Washington, D.C. Dox your neighbor for waving the American flag, and while you’re at it, label the voter who supports Donald Trump’s policies a racist xenophobe. Take for granted the freedom and opportunity America grants you each day and use it to spread hate.  

That’s not the America I know, and it’s not the country more than one million U.S. World Cup tourists have come to experience. 

If America is the violin Democrats never wanted, World Cup fans are proving to be the musicians revealing her worth. I implore our friends on the Left to stop and listen. 

Rep. Buddy Carter represents Georgia’s 1st District in Congress.