It’s good to welcome strangers, but some strangers are stranger than others. Welcomes come in all shapes and sizes too
As an American comedian living in Scotland, I’m often asked: “Krystal, why don’t you talk about Trump more on stage? I’ll bet that subject is rife for comedy!” Yesterday he was in Washington, today the schedule says Scotland. I know this visit isn’t a personal attack on me, but woo boy, it sure does feel like it. I live in Edinburgh. But I didn’t come to Scotland so I could be around the most annoying, unhinged, rich Americans in existence.
There are many reasons I don’t tend to talk about Donald Trump that much on stage. For one, that 10 to 20 seconds in the morning before I remember who occupies the position of president of the United States is honestly the best part of my day. And those few precious moments I savour will not be present for me over the next four days, because the aura of Trump’s presence will permeate my consciousness, not to mention all the major news outlets, with everyone giving their very strong opinions on this man who has managed to inflame humanity more than anyone in all of our collective living memory. And what’s more, he doesn’t seem to care.
Krystal Evans is an American comedian who lives in Scotland. Her latest show, A Star is Burnt, is at the Edinburgh festival fringe 2025