A nicely readable if slight article. His ancestry makes it all the more extraordinary that he has so little understanding of what it means to be an immigrant, and how little gratitude he has for what America did for his own family. Just imagine how he could show some gratitude for his own history if he would let in those needy and desperate people coming on the road through Mexico at the moment. Give me your tired and needy people yearning to be free! He just doesn't get it. A sad and horrible man - the worst president ever.
5
Since this article exists to publicize an upcoming book about the “Trump women,” maybe you could have at least revealed something interesting about those women.
His European wives, for example, probably have more significant traits in common than both happening to come from towns with shoemaking histories. Was there any investigation into the lies both women have told about their backgrounds?
2
Who thought of this? i could easily imagine visiting some of these destinations despite any ties to Trump, his wives or family, but never because of it. In fact, I'm sorry this article was even published, and I wish I could 'unsee' it, as it tarnishes these places instead of elevating them. Nothing associated with Trump is good, period.
9
Why would I be seeking Trump's ancestors? I am baffled.
9
More fun are all of the shenanigans of Grandpa Frederick Trump, another draft dodger. This is a highly sanitized version of a not so wonderful story.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frederick_Trump
12
Remember that Donald Trump is also a draft dodger. With so many of his lies, we can’t keep up and sometimes forget.
1
No mention of gorgeous Carcross in the Yukon? Isn't that where the Donald's paternal grandfather ran a house of ill repute with great financial success courtesy of clamouring gold prospectors on their way to the Klondike?
16
Trumps' roots? Why would that EVER be a reason for me to follow that itinerary?! That connection immediately puts a damper on such a trip for me. I'm relieved that I visited one of the destinations prior to this article. Nice try, though!
15
As the grandson of a Slovene (and a Macedonian), I am ashamed of any connection to the Trump family. However, as an American, I am part of the people who have allowed this self-serving, corrupt tribe to take power. Time to vote!
16
How bizarre that The Times would publish an article on the emigrant Trump forebears as this xenophobic Administration does its best to shut our country's doors and the president himself vilifies people who want only what the generations before him have - safety, opportunity, and a chance at The American Dream.
23
@Olenska
I came to this country as an immigrant partly because we have laws that are enforced. Some of have run afoul of them, but we still appreciate the laws and their enforcement.
I'm glad to see that Trump is fulfilling his promise to enforce the laws of the USA and is also striving to make them more humane. He could do with all our support in this endeavor.
2
@Vivian: Explain, please, how this administration is "striving to make [the laws of the USA] more humane." Is it by putting kids in cages or tent camps, unable or unwilling to reunite them with their parents from whom they were separated at the border? Or presuming that five-year-old kids are competent to represent themselves in immigration hearings? Or by deporting veterans of our armed services? I am genuinely curious at how you have come to this conclusion.
4
@Vivian and how is Trump striving to make immigration laws (or especially policy) more humane? The US is a country of laws, and he's not following them, he's bending them to his own political interests.
He's not getting my support.
2
By German standards, Mannheim is a rather large city, which also housed several US military installations. The last garrison closed in May, 2011. Furthermore, Mannheim has had an established population of people with a migration background for decades, including a lot of Americans who have chosen to remain in Germany. A distant cousin operates a bakery in the town that was once the home of Trumpf's family but their "Presidential Pastries" were not well received by the general population. Just a little more research would have shown that the Trumpf family was ordered to leave what was then the Bavarian Kingdom...for evading the mandatory military service....
10
@Alexaz
I read that Trump's grandfather left the area and came to US to avoid military service. Years later he went back with his wife and was threatened with arrest for evading the mandatory military service. He and his wife fled back to the US.
9
Don’t forget that his grandson avoided being drafted too. A successful one, thanks to the doc.
"I wanted to capture the history and rhythm of life in areas where the Trumps have roots..." The Times could have been more forthcoming in explaining how this relates to the book "Golden Handcuffs," because it's not making sense why anyone would want to capture anything about Trump's roots.
Also, Mannheim has not had army bases since 2013.
5
Mannheim is no longer home to an American army base...the only American military installation here is the Coleman Airfield, which was shut down in 2012 and is now temporarily being used as an interim storage site for military equipment. Perhaps the author is thinking of Ramstein, which is home to the USAF and NATO air commands? However Ramstein is located near Kaiserslautern, which is over 80 km west of Mannheim.
Mannheim's population of immigrants from the Middle East also isn't "rapidly growing"...Mannheim has always been a working-class city with a high immigrant population that came to work in the factories. 44% of the current population has a "migration background," but the refugee influx of the past three years hasn't disproportionally affected Mannheim.
6
Why would anyone think this was something worth reporting. The Trump family either isolates or exploits the world to their benefit an no other. Travel is meant open the mind and reinforce empathy and understanding. No one in that family has any of those qualities.
15
Great article, partly explains why I still enjoy the news. Regardless of politics , I find it interesting to learn the family history of our politicians and leaders . We must understand the past in order to contribute to our present in a meaningful & constructive way.
4
My maternal grandparents emigrated from tiny Slovenia to USA in 1909. In 2004, I spent a month there. At that time there wasn't a lot for an older tourist to do but criss-cross the tiny country by train or car, hike a bit in the Julian Alps and visit some museums. The young people speak English but the elders rely on the archaic language of Slovene. I learned that a large percentage of young Slovenes, like Melania, leave as teenagers, looking for more exciting futures in Italy or Germany.
5
Rich heritage makes for a confident, intelligent and successful man.
1
@rich williams
not sure if you're being sarcastic or if the exception proves the rule.
5
@rich williams
With all the baggage included.
I heard her family wouldn't even pay the $12 (U.S. equivalent, even before Trump ruined our economy) YWCA annual dues for Melania's swim classes.
4
Watch the documentary about her family. I know there can be different ways to understand the facts surrounding her family, but you’ll see that it’s really not flattering
Who actually cares? I mean if evolution theory is true some homo sapiens came from monkeys, no? That would be Trump. Direct lineage I'd say based on brain development...
16
Nice as an eclectic travel article.
But what on earth did the author expect to find out about Trump and his family by doing this? The "history and rhythm of life in areas where the Trumps have roots" does not amount to much.
Perhaps if Melania's father had been there and willing to talk, but fat chance of that.
12
Time would be better spent going to the countries of the children and babies that were ripped from their parents.
22
The US Army Installations in Mannheim have "closed" several years ago. All that's left is a depot I would say. At about the same time the U.S. Military said good-bye to Heidelberg as well. Please stick to facts
8
One subtext of this story is the joy of visiting Europe in the "off-season" The air fare is cheaper, and so are hotels -- but make sure you have a reservation. In Paris or London, the museums are not so full and you can linger before artworks you enjoy. If you go to Moscow in the snow in February, you know you've been to the real Russia. Kids are ordering ice cream at the outdoor market. And anywhere in Europe, you will find the restaurant servers to be very hospitable. Just be prepared -- be sure to take a parka or waxed jacket, an umbrella and some waterproof shoes or boots.
18
Sound advice — let’s just hope not too many people take it. My wife and I have been spending a week or two around Christmas in different big cities in southern Europe for years. Valencia, Lisbon, La Valletta ... all wonderfully lively in midwinter, yet never overrun. Early on December mornings, I’ve had entire museums in Rome to myself. And what could be nicer than to stroll through the Villa Borghese in the wan January sun, looking forward to an unhurried lunch? Budapest in February? Surprisingly nice as well.
8
Interesting! Every time I read an article about Trump, it starts with his father, I've always wondered whether he HAD a mother! Freud would have had a field day....
27
Nice. Writing this comment from a city not far Zlín, Czech Republic. You didn’t write much about Zlin and I can confirm there’s not much to say, not a nice city :-) Definitely can’t compare to Ljubljana which is the gem of this part of Europe.
Surprisingly, there’s no buzz about Ivana Trump in Czechia, after all they’ve been divorced for a long time and she doesn’t appear publicly here at all.
6
Spoiler ahead....
It was St. Martin's Day, November 11
Don't know about church service where you come from Ms Burleigh, but I find attending for the sole reason it's raining or to meet some talky local who might have a cool story to tell and then leaving for a phone call in the middle of the service is embarrassing and disrespectful. "Mannheim, a military base and a growing number of immigrants" is rather smug than Twain-esque.
27
@Manfrenjensenden
Heavy German disapproval.
Embarrassing and disrespectful? Take a look at Donald.
6
Been to Slovenia many times..perhaps one of the best, yet smallest country in Europe..and the first to leave the Yugoslavia Federation sparking the "Balkan Wars".
That said, Ms Trump is about average in looks in the part of the world. Adjacent Croatia ..just down the road has had more Miss Universe finalist than any other country. The women are tall and engaging.
But, to say ms. Trump is something very special..no so!
24
Such petty punctiliousness for such a foible peccadillo, don't you think, ol' chap?
2
A wonderful article with great and vivid descriptions. The photos are equally good.
I was in Stornway for a project and enjoyed this writers description because that's how exactly I remembered it.
Only one note of disagreement.
I wish she had switched her phone off during that church service.
I travel a great deal and have now been to 113 plus countries and counting.
I now live in Bogota, Colombia on a short term basis which is about to come to an end.
I like nothing more in this very Catholic country than visiting magnificent and some inordinately simple but imposing churches and take in a service.
And nothing displeases me more than the most recent tourist phenom of Chinese walking about taking photos, wearing hats, and some very unsuitable gear - a real affront to me.
So, my suggestion to this good reporter - next time, enjoy the service, a phone call can wait.
37
@Neil, for some reason you would like Chinese tourists to dress and behave like Europeans? Strange cuz diversity is the beauty of our planet. When the European colonial masters occupied countries they wished everyone in their colonies to dress and behave like them..or else? Is Europe the center of the universe!
4
@Petey Tonei
of course Europe isn't the centre of the universe.
the usa! usa! usa! is.....
@Petey Tonei And what would you say about American or European tourists who behaved disrespectfully in an Asian place of worship?