Despite growing concerns about how America’s global image is affected by domestic politics, The Amazing Race host Phil Keoghan says the drama back home isn’t stopping American contestants from being welcomed around the world.
TMZ caught up with the long-running reality show host at LAX, where he shared some encouraging insight into how Americans are received abroad — even in light of rising international tensions and the controversial return of Donald Trump to the presidency.
Americans Still Embraced Globally on ‘The Amazing Race’
When asked if the new political climate in the U.S. — especially with Trump back in the White House — has impacted how American participants are treated while filming overseas, Keoghan had a refreshingly optimistic answer.
According to Phil, American racers haven’t faced any noticeable backlash or hostility in the countries they’ve visited. Despite concerns that Trump-era policies or rhetoric might negatively affect U.S. citizens abroad, Keoghan says that hasn’t been the case during the show’s recent filming.
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“From what I’ve seen, Americans are still very much welcome in other countries,” he said. “There hasn’t been a major shift in how people treat our teams.”
“The World Is Always in Flux” – Phil’s Global Perspective
Keoghan, a New Zealand native who has hosted The Amazing Race since its premiere in 2001, offered a level-headed take on how the world views America.
“Every country has its ups and downs,” he noted. “The world is always in flux — there’s a lot happening everywhere. But I think most people understand that what you see in the media doesn’t always reflect the whole picture.”
He emphasized that people across the globe generally try to separate political headlines from the average American, adding that most foreign citizens still show warmth and curiosity when encountering American racers.
Spreading Positivity Amid Political Chaos
While the U.S. continues to face sharp divisions at home and scrutiny on the international stage, Keoghan says his experience reminds him that there’s “still a lot of good out there.”
In fact, he believes that shows like The Amazing Race, which brings together people from all walks of life and encourages global exploration, play a key role in showcasing the shared humanity among different cultures — something that resonates regardless of politics.
“I think people are more understanding than we sometimes give them credit for,” Phil said.
A Global Stage, A Universal Message
The Amazing Race has long been celebrated for promoting cross-cultural appreciation and teamwork under pressure. In a time when global relations can seem tense or uncertain, the show continues to act as a kind of ambassador of goodwill — and Keoghan is proud to be part of that mission.
Even as headlines swirl and political battles rage, The Amazing Race proves that on the ground level, human connections can still flourish.
