Donald Trump has been an enduring presence in global politics, an inexorable force. Whether as a businessman or as the 45th President of the United States, President Donald Trump has made a name for himself as a divisive figure. Jonathan Freedland’s recent column that Trump is “the world’s greatest showman — and the weakest strongman it has ever seen” gets to the heart of his public persona. So how do these traits translate to the political arena?
La La Land — The Greatest Showman: The Art of PR in the Trump Era
Donald Trump has always been skilled at controlling his narrative, whether as a celebrity in the 1980s or a reality television personality on The Apprentice. No one can dominate headlines and generate buzz quite like he can. But is this skill sufficient to elevate him as a true leader on a global stage? While his charisma and theatricality have led to him being called “the greatest showman,” they have often overshadowed his policies and actions, leaving many to question his competence as a strongman.
Trump’s Media Savvy: A Double-Edged Sword
Trump’s relationship with the media has been central to his public persona. He often, seemingly, can create narratives in media that play his way. Whether via bombastic Twitter feed or attention-grabbing rallies, Trump is a master at spectacle. But his dependence on media attention also exposes a vulnerability: his failure to govern competently in a moment of national emergency.
- Volatility: Trump’s policy positions are often inconsistent, creating a sense of volatility. And while his political invective is lacerating, his legislative victories have been less easy to pin down.
- Me-ocracy: His focus is so little on substance that his displays of strength often come across as more about show than anything — which has led critics to brand him a “weak strongman.”
The Weakest Strongman: Eaten from Within by Leadership Challenges
The title of “strongman” tends to carry connotations of decisive leadership, political dominance, and unyielding authority. But Trump’s approach to power has always been contradictory. He presents an appearance of strength, after all, but his leadership style has come under attack for not demonstrating the steadiness and iron-fistedness that characterize real strongmen leaders.
Policy Missteps and Foreign Relations
Perhaps the most glaring sign of Trump’s weaknesses as a strongman comes in the form of his approach towards foreign relations. From his divisive rhetoric towards NATO allies to his unpredictable decisions regarding foreign policy, Trump’s approach to negotiating seems more like disorder than order on a world-wide level.
- North Korea: Although his summits with Kim Jong-un were unprecedented, they ultimately resulted in no lasting agreements or substantial change to North Korea’s nuclear program.
- China Trade War: Trump tried tariffs and threats to get his way with China, but many of his promised victories in that trade war have gone unfulfilled and tensions continue.
While Trump was tough and audacious in his statements and actions, he often failed to follow up with the work that was necessary to solidify his status as a world leader.
Trump’s Domestic Political Scuffle: An Unsound Basis
At home, Trump’s political strength has already been challenged. Although he still has a significant following in certain sectors of American life, his presidency was defined by — what else? — political division, an impeachment trial, and an unballasted inability to bring America together.
- Impeachment: Impeached (the Third), Under: Donald J. Trump became the third US president to be impeached, which exposed deep divisions in the political system and raised doubts about his ability to lead.
- Polarizing Policies: Though some of his policies, like tax cuts and deregulation, were popular with conservatives, they also drove away many in the wider American electorate.
These challenges contribute to the stereotypical image of the Trump impulse — a leader more concerned with spectacle and grandiosity than with hard-fought legacies and stability.
Is Trump a Real Strongman or Just a Showman?
Although his presidency has certainly been one of spectacle, his legacy is far from set in stone. Does a media-based strongman who can’t govern really pass the test of being a strongman? Or is he more of a showman, one who shines with charisma, but stumbles when it comes to substantive leadership?
What’s Next for Trump’s Political Influence
There was a question regarding what will remain of Trump in the party he claimed to represent, who found himself on the back seat of his own car. Trump’s political machinations have changed the contours of the Republican Party and all the other parties. But Freedland’s right that his theatricality may soon overshadow his capacity to govern effectively. Will all this dull his future prospects, or can he continue to flourish as the world’s greatest showman?
FAQs
Why is Donald Trump called the country’s “world’s greatest showman”?
Many people have referred to him as the “greatest showman” because of his ability to capture public attention, his mastery of media manipulation, and his flair for dramatic appearances. His celebrity and his use of spectacle to monopolize political discourse have constructed his public persona.
What does Jonathan Freedland mean when he describes Trump as the “weakest strongman”?
Freedland’s statement implies that although Trump wields power and power’s aura in his words and deeds, his failure to offer consistent, effective leadership internally and abroad exposes an emptiness in how he executes power that makes him more a showman than an actual strongman leader.
How has foreign policy defined his legacy?
Trump’s foreign policy choices, then and now, have frequently been abrupt and short-lived, especially his North Korean and Chinese relationships. His browbeating tactics didn’t always generate new agreements, fueling the narrative that he prioritizes optics over the implementation of permanent diplomatic solutions.
Will Trump be a dominant force in American politics?
Trump is a towering figure in American politics, especially among Republicans. This is a destructive outcome, and his capacity to animate people will ensure that he remains a powerful force in politics, but his potential to be a unifying and effective leader is in serious doubt.
Engage with Us!
How do you feel about Trump’s style of leadership? Is Jonathan Freedland right that he was both the greatest showman and the weakest strongman? Leave your thoughts in the comments below — or share this with others who might want to read about Trump’s intricate political character.
