A self-selecting poll on X has suggested a growing number of travellers are thinking twice about visiting the United States, with many respondents citing anger at Donald Trump’s rhetoric and concern about immigration enforcement tactics after another fatal shooting involving federal officers in Minneapolis.
The online poll, published by travel journalist Simon Calder, drew around 12,000 votes and found roughly four in five respondents chose the option “I would not go there” when asked how they felt about travelling to the US in the wake of the Minneapolis incident and Trump’s remarks about allied troops in Afghanistan. However, because the poll was conducted on social media and was not a representative survey, it should be read as a snapshot of sentiment among those who saw it and chose to take part, rather than a measure of wider public opinion.
Even so, the comments underneath the poll point to a mood shift that has been building for some time: some travellers are weighing up the practical risks and the political “vibe” of a visit, while others insist they would still go, separating the country and its people from whoever is in the White House.
One respondent, Chris Walton, wrote: “My wife and I had our best holiday ever doing Route 66 over a three-week period a few years ago… We wouldn’t go back under the current regime.”
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A poll on X, but not a scientific survey
The question posed in the poll asked users how they felt about travelling to the US “in the wake of another killing by ICE in Minneapolis” and after Trump claimed British and other foreign troops fighting alongside Americans “stayed a little back” from the front lines in Afghanistan.
The poll format and platform matter here. Social media polls are open to selection bias: people who feel strongly are more likely to vote, and the audience seeing the poll will be shaped by who follows the account and how the platform distributes posts. It does not mean there is no trend at all, but it does mean headlines should be treated carefully.
Calder’s piece also noted that a minority of respondents said they had trips booked and intended to travel as planned, while some said they were considering cancelling even if it meant losing money.
Why some travellers say they are rethinking the US
The immediate trigger for many comments was the Minneapolis shooting involving federal immigration enforcement. Reuters reported that the White House defended President Trump’s immigration strategy after 37-year-old nurse Alex Pretti was fatally shot by federal officers in Minnesota, as protests and political backlash grew.
Some travellers posting under the poll said their concern was less about crime statistics and more about how a visitor might be treated at the border, or what could happen if a routine encounter escalated. Dawn Chandler wrote that she had “non-refundable flights booked” but was “considering just losing the money”, adding she would “rather spend my money elsewhere”.
Others framed their decision as a political boycott. More than half of respondents to a follow-up question in the article said they were staying away due to recent political events, according to Calder’s reporting.
But there was also pushback in the replies, with some saying the US remains a welcoming and fascinating destination. Jacqueline Crockford wrote: “I would still go. The country is interesting and there are a lot of lovely people there… All visits without incident.”
What the UK Foreign Office currently advises
For UK travellers trying to separate emotion from practical risk, the starting point is official travel advice. The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) notes that “violent crime and gun crime rarely affect tourists” but advises taking care in unfamiliar areas and highlights that “mass shooting incidents can happen”. It also warns that protests are common and can become violent, and that local authorities may introduce curfews or emergency orders.
That guidance does not amount to a warning against travel, but it reflects a reality many visitors already plan around: the US is vast, and experiences differ sharply between cities, states and neighbourhoods.
Border screening and device checks: what travellers should know
A specific anxiety raised in the poll responses was the prospect of social media activity being checked at the border. Australia’s Smartraveller advice for the US states that authorities “actively pursue, detain and deport” people who are in the country illegally, and advises visitors to be prepared to show documents proving legal presence. It also warns that participation in protests (including online) can be considered a breach of status for some travellers.
On electronic devices, US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) says that, on rare occasions, officers may search phones, laptops and other devices during the inspection process. CBP publishes guidance explaining its authority and approach to electronic device searches at ports of entry.
The practical point for UK travellers is not to panic, but to prepare. A small number of visitors may face enhanced screening, and border decisions for non-citizens can be discretionary. For most tourists, a straightforward itinerary, correct paperwork (ESTA or visa as applicable), and clarity about accommodation and return plans are what matter.
What it could mean for tourism and airlines
The debate also comes at a time when the US inbound tourism picture has already shown signs of softness from some markets. Industry reporting in 2025 pointed to reduced European demand and falling transatlantic airfares on some routes, with analysts citing a mix of currency factors, geopolitics and perceptions about US border policy.
A viral poll will not make or break a travel market on its own, but public mood can affect bookings at the margin, especially for discretionary leisure trips where travellers can choose Spain, Italy or Greece instead.
How to make an informed decision
For UK travellers still keen on the US, the sensible approach is to separate three questions.
First, is the trip practical? Check entry requirements, ensure your ESTA or visa is correct, and keep key documents accessible. Second, what is your risk tolerance? Some travellers are comfortable with big-city travel and busy events; others prefer quieter areas and structured itineraries. Third, what is your personal red line? For some, the issue is safety; for others it is politics and values; for others it is privacy and the border process.
The US remains one of the world’s biggest tourism destinations with extraordinary variety, and millions of trips pass without incident. But it is also clear from recent reporting, and from the tone of traveller conversations online, that the country’s politics and enforcement posture are now part of the calculation for a section of visitors – whether that is fair or not.
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