I'm an American, and over the past decade, I've seen our nation become more divided and filled with rancor and anger. It's been a challenging time for many of us as we navigate through these turbulent waters. However, there's one individual who, despite being from across the Atlantic in Germany, has shown us a different perspective.

Freddy (@FreddyLA7) is a German soccer fan who came to America for the 2026 World Cup and did something remarkable — he just showed up and paid attention. He ate at Waffle House at 1am. He discovered Buc-ee's and lost his mind over the fact that it's a gas (petrol) station with over 100 pumps. He sat on a bag of deer corn and ate dinner from a travel center at 1am — and 6.5 million people saw it and smiled.

He didn't come here with an agenda. He didn't have a publicist or a brand deal. He just genuinely loved what he found — the people, the food, the size of everything, the friendliness of strangers.

In doing so he reminded millions of people worldwide that the America the media exports and the America that actually exists are two completely different countries.

That's more effective diplomacy than the State Department has managed in years (and more cost effective!) 

Sign this petition to nominate Freddy @FreddyLA7 as TIME Person of the Year 2026.