As millions of visitors continue arriving in the United States for the FIFA World Cup, a striking contrast has emerged between the enthusiasm many foreign tourists are expressing and the criticism coming from some prominent American celebrities and activists.
That divide became a topic of discussion Monday after former ESPN host Sage Steele appeared on Fox News’ Jesse Watters Primetime to react to the weekend’s competing events in Washington, D.C.
On one side was the White House’s UFC Freedom 250 celebration. On the other was the star-studded “Rise Up, Sing Out” concert, where several entertainers delivered pointed critiques of the current state of the country.
Steele had little patience for what she described as the event’s anti-American tone.
“Let them be miserable,” she said. “We’ll keep on breathing as we celebrate this country.”
The concert featured appearances by celebrities including Jane Fonda, Bette Midler, Julia Roberts, and Robert De Niro. Several speakers used the platform to voice concerns about America’s political climate and cultural direction.
De Niro told attendees that the United States “is not so lovable right now,” comparing expressions of patriotism to “an abused spouse saying they love their abuser.” Fonda warned of what she described as a democracy under threat and encouraged those in the entertainment industry to resist what she called “anticipatory obedience.”
Their remarks stood in stark contrast to a wave of viral videos circulating online from World Cup visitors who have spent recent weeks praising various aspects of American life.
Social media has been flooded with clips of international tourists marveling at everything from sprawling supermarkets and massive sports venues to regional foods, country music concerts, and the friendliness of local residents. Many visitors have expressed surprise at experiences that Americans often view as ordinary.
Steele pointed to those reactions as a reminder of how easily people can overlook the advantages and opportunities available in the United States.
“It’s the little things here in America that we just don’t appreciate,” she said.
She also argued that sports remain one of the few institutions capable of bringing people together despite political divisions.
“When you look at how they have chosen to respond, it breaks my heart,” Steele said of the concert’s participants. “But I also do believe that at this point in time … we need to ignore them. Let them do them and hate, because they’re in the minority and also sports is truly the fabric of America. It is the ultimate uniter.”
OutKick host Riley Gaines echoed similar sentiments during an appearance on The Will Cain Show. Gaines said the reactions from international visitors highlight how frequently Americans take their own country for granted.
“It goes to show that we really don’t know how good we have it here, which is kind of the sad nature of humanity,” Gaines said. “The grass is always greener on the other side.”
She pointed to the enthusiasm displayed by visitors experiencing everyday American traditions for the first time.
“I love these videos,” Gaines said. “I’ve loved getting to watch people from Japan or Germany eat a hot dog for the first time or go to a country music concert or wear a cowboy hat. It’s pretty remarkable.”
As the World Cup continues, the contrast remains difficult to ignore. While some high-profile Americans are using public platforms to emphasize the country’s flaws, many visitors arriving from around the globe appear focused on something else entirely: discovering the aspects of American life that they find exciting, welcoming, and uniquely memorable.
