Russell Hicks, a comedian from California who is no fan of the President, moved to Hertfordshire in England 10 years ago
An American who lives in Britain has complimented Keir Starmer’s handling of Donald Trump as akin to “seduction” as the US President enjoys the pomp and ceremony of his second state visit to Britain this week.
Russell Hicks, a comedian from San Diego in California, moved to Hertfordshire in England 10 years ago after meeting his British partner in LA.
Since then, Hicks has appeared on BBC’s Have I Got News For You and Channel 4’s The Last Leg, and he starred alongside Lindsay Lohan in Amazon Prime’s 2022 drama, Lovestruck High. He regularly journals about his adopted British life on Instagram, with a comedic twist.
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As an American in Britain, Hicks, who recently performed at the Edinburgh Fringe, says he has become a “diplomat of sorts”. He adds: “I get asked so many questions here.”
With Trump now in the UK, rubbing shoulders with the Royal Family and senior politicians, Hicks’ perspective has become even more of a source of fascination for the British, he says.
“Everyone wants my opinion on this visit, but I can understand why. Considering who is in Trump’s cabinet, I’m probably more qualified than them,” he tells The i Paper.
Donald Trump, King Charles, Queen Camilla and Melania Trump review the guard of honour at Windsor Castle (Photo: Kirsty Wigglesworth/Getty)
“Trump does confuse state visits with vacations. America is getting so bad right now that even Trump is leaving.
“Of course, Trump loves the Royal Family. They’re built on nepotism and covered in jewels. I hope the paper appreciates me commenting on his visit – unlike other presidents, if I criticise this one, it could cost me my citizenship”.
The Trump administration has attempted to block automatic citizenship for those who are born in the US, while it is also screening for “anti-American activity” when deciding whether immigrants can enter the country.
However, he says he is impressed with how Starmer has managed to charm the right-wing and notoriously changeable Trump since his return to the White House in January.
“I think Keir Starmer should write a manual and distribute it to all of the heads of state on exactly how to speak to Donald, because Keir is the Trump whisperer.
“It’s incredible. I watched him talk to Trump when he first came over and it reached a level that was almost seduction.”
Jokes aside, however, Hicks says that, observing his country from afar, it looks “terrifying”.
Starmer and Trump in Turnberry, Scotland in July. Hicks appreciates how the Prime Minister has charmed the President (Photo: Christopher Furlong/AFP)
He was thinking about going home to live briefly, but the current political climate has made him feel torn on the matter.
“I’m not going to bash my country, but it looks terrifying on the news right now. It’s less so when you talk to people living there, but our loudest ambassadors get the most attention anyway,” he says in a nod to the present US government.
Nearly 2,000 Americans submitted applications for UK residency in January when Trump took office, according to figures published by the Home Office in May. The number broke records for any quarter on record.
“Of course, Brits have a stereotype about us: that we’re over the top, fat and loud. But our stereotype of you hasn’t been updated. We all think you’re Hugh Grant. I found out the rough way when I met a hooligan at Wetherspoons, followed by a night bus back home.
“We’re not all idiots. Not 48 per cent of us anyway,” he adds, in reference to the 48.3 per cent of Americans who voted for Trump’s Democrat rival, Kamala Harris, in last November’s presidential election. Trump won with 49.8 per cent of the popular vote.
“The funny thing is British people bash America to me when they’re sitting there wearing a Chicago Bulls hat, wearing Nike trainers, and eating a KFC.”
Describing the differences between Britain and the US, Hicks says he has noticed a “very thin layer of socialism in the UK”. In contrast, “being American is flying without a net. You feel you have to be on your toes all the time. You don’t get taken advantage of in the UK as much.”
When he moved to Britain, Hicks intended to stay for only a few months, but he felt so comfortable here that he is still here a decade later.
“I love how comfortable it is in the UK. When I first arrived, my girlfriend’s mother asked me for tea every 10 minutes without fail. I did start out living in London, but if you want to explore England, leave London and you’ll get exposed to the culture quicker.”
British mannerisms have crept up on him more than he expected. Saying “may” for a polite request or “I’m going to pop to the shop” when he goes to the supermarket has become all too common for him.
“I’d get teased for saying that back home in California,” he laughs. “And asking ‘are you alright?’ instead of ‘how are you?’ is a big one too. In America, it’s a wellness check, but here it’s a greeting. When I first moved here, I thought everyone thought I was depressed.”
With all that said, Hicks says he misses his family terribly and feels as though the weight of being “the other” gets lifted when he returns stateside.