A family-of-three has fled America to live in Spain due to their dislike of President Trump.
Benjamin Gorman, his wife Chrystal, and their daughter Franke now live in Barcelona after uprooting from Oregon.
Benjamin, a former schoolteacher, explained why he felt the move was necessary.
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He told Need To Know he first became unhappy during Trump’s first term in the White House.
Benjamin claims he faced criticism after he signed a pledge to teach US history accurately”.
After receiving “very scary” death threats, Benjamin, 48, said he asked an FBI friend whether he could still report them if Trump won again.
The answer was a blunt “No”.
“He told me, ‘You would basically be calling the Proud Boys for help.’ So I knew that, if Trump won, I would have to get out.”
The family considered several countries before choosing Spain – partly because Benjamin speaks fluent Spanish – and settled in Barcelona, a city he had visited before and loved.
They now live in the historic Gothic Quarter with their two small dogs, Merry and Pippin, and their dire wolf, Havoc.
Benjamin – an author, poet and publisher – said: “Since I write novels about vampires roaming thin alleys and wizards in castles, it feels like inspiration is all around me here.”
The family are convinced Spain does “so many things” better than the US.
“The healthcare system is so much better that when we explain the American system to professionals here, they are gobsmacked by how ridiculous it sounds,” Benjamin said.
“Similarly, not having the constant threat of gun violence improves culture in so many ways.
“The way the police interact with people here is so positive. They’re constantly de-escalating situations and working to protect people’s dignity.”
Of course, Benjamin and his family do miss some things from back home, “mostly our loved ones, of course”.
He added: “We’ve found a handful of specific products we can’t get our hands on here in Spain.
“For example, we have chocolate M’n’Ms and peanut M’n’Ms here, but no peanut butter M&Ms, which are absolutely the best kind.”
Spain, currently governed by a left-wing alliance, will hold its next general election no later than 22 August 2027.
Opinion polls show the centre-right People’s Party in first place and far-right Vox in third.
Many politicians from those parties do not share Benjamin’s view that “immigrants make every society better”.
“If they were to take control of the government, we would certainly consider moving again,” he said. “I often joke that I am too old to be punching Nazis in the streets.
“We are largely at the mercy of our hosts here, and if this society decides it doesn’t want us, well, good guests know they should leave when they are asked to.”
Benjamin’s latest non-fiction book, “Dear America: A Breakup Letter”, was published earlier this year.
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