Happy Birthday, America 🇺🇸

Celebrating the 250th birthday of the USA

Friends,

I’ve never been good at birthday messages on cards. “Hope you have a great day” is about all I can usually muster.

But in this case, I’ll try to do better…

I’m relaunching my newsletter - now called Also, America - in homage to you, and want to share my extraordinary past couple of weeks.

I travelled to the US to watch my country, Scotland, play at the World Cup. We went to Boston and Miami, and had the time of our lives - even though Scotland were rubbish.

For me, personally, it was a life-changing experience. Here are some of the crazy highlights from the past fortnight:

• I had over 90 million views on my social media content

• I was interviewed on several mainstream live TV broadcasts, including Fox (several times), CNN, Inside Edition and several more

• I also appeared in the New York Times, New York Post, Boston Globe and others

• Was invited for a non-political meeting with the Governor of Florida

And this is a tiny snapshot of the insane couple of weeks I’ve had. There’s a lot more.

I feel totally and utterly inspired. So much so, that I am now taking steps to get a visa to live in and contribute to America, and have already spoke with two lawyers this week. A huge thanks to those who have donated to my fundraiser for this cause.

Independence Hall, where it all began

The US has made a huge impression on me, for one reason more than any other. There are obviously a lot of cool things I love about the place, but the main thing is absolutely the amazingly warm and kind people I’ve met.

I’ve been fortunate enough to meet people from all walks of life, from different political backgrounds, and who live in different States. Despite what the media shows us, the vast majority of people in America are fundamentally good, kind and honest people.

And as I reflect on why some of my content has gone viral over the past few weeks, and why I’ve gained attention from some of the top TV outlets in the country, I think it’s this…

Over the past few years, Americans have been fed a constant stream of rage bait - both on social media and in the news. It seems like every piece of content has been specifically designed to get people angry and hate one another. It has worked, but people are also tired.

My content has focussed on the many positive things about the country, and folks have told me this has been cathartic.

And so I launch Also, America as a sort of antidote to the news - a carved out section where I share those positive stories that the media on both sides of the pond refuses to cover.

So thank you for being here and all the support. Thank you for all the memories. Thank you for being incredible World Cup hosts. And a huge happy 4th of July. I hope you and your families have the most wonderful weekend.

Shaun