WHAT DO YOU THINK OF THE SHOW, SO FAR?
THE TRUMP SHOW - COMEDY OR HORROR?
Imagine having made a pot of soup. It’s not perfect, but it tastes good and it’s palatable. Then along comes someone who thinks it needs something more. The soup’s fine; it doesn’t need anything else, but this person is so convincing that you acknowledge and humour them. They put in some seasoning, and it spices the soup up, but it tastes awful. I mean, it tastes rank! When asked why they had to mess with perfectly nice-tasting soup, the person says, ‘Well, I think it tastes delicious, and that’s all that matters’.
In six weeks, Donald Trump has stamped his mark on domestic and world affairs like an elephant stamping on a squeaky toy. He’s ignored all the flying protestations from every corner of the globe because, indelibly, he knows best. Reason, empathy, and decency have been thrown away and replaced by arrogance, ignorance, and aggression. He asserts that he’s a man of peace; however, in my opinion, he’s a man who’s establishing a significant target on his back.
In this blog, I always aim to establish connections between contemporary events and historical occurrences, highlighting the interconnectedness of history and the cyclical nature of human existence. Trump’s behaviour mirrors that of Napoleon Bonaparte and Adolf Hitler, who, as you may recall, was lauded once by Trump for doing great things for Germany, initially. But we’ll come to Hitler and Napoleon later.
This article starts with something unseen in modern history. What happened was unprecedented and never before witnessed in the history of world politics, never mind American. An American President and Vice President publicly bullying and belittling another country’s President, in this instance, Ukraine, in front of the world’s media.
If ever an example was needed to justify Trump’s ego and attraction to high TV ratings, this was it! It was like primetime reality television on the political stage, and the repercussions and shockwaves reverberated around the world like a sizzling electric tsunami.
Using his ego and the great expanse of the United States, geographically, militarily, and economically, Trump has bulldozed his way through innocent Ukrainians and forced their president to meekly bow down and accept whatever this demi-god asks of him. Though it may be extremely humbling for President Zelensky, you can’t help but feel quiet admiration for how Trump has achieved his aims.
Other leaders like British PM Sir Keir Starmer have lauded the American president and offered him flattering compliments and overreached that fawning with lavishness and opulence that Trump just adores. It was a deliberate act of currying favour that Starmer presented Trump with a letter from the King, inviting him for a state visit, elaborating that no other US president has had such an honour. That’s nectar to Trump’s ears.
Trump loves attention. That’s why he’s a narcissist. He thinks only of his own importance and damns anyone who remotely crosses him. Some may find that a great attribute in a world leader, but bullying is not the sign of a great leader. Instead, a bully is someone who pretends to be tougher than they actually are to disguise the intellectual disability they possess.
Over the course of nearly two months, Trump has completely transformed the world. Some may argue that this transformation was necessary, but despite its imperfections, life was manageable. What he’s done in America alone is introduce a system of hardline, authoritarian policies, which demonstrate his determination to isolate America from Europe while forging links with the historical enemy, Russia. Some claim he’s Vladimir Putin’s puppet; Trump fans would say it makes good business sense to get along with another superpower. However, as is a common theme with Trump and his cohorts, the truth is bended to suit their narrative. President Zelensky has seen his country bombed and devastated for no reason by Putin, yet on 28 February he was being scolded in the Oval Office, as if everything was his fault. He’s been called a dictator; he’s been blamed for Russia invading, and he’s being blamed for continuing a war that Trump says should be brought to an end.
Never once has Trump criticised Putin in the same manner, and his own behaviour has put the world on edge.
‘The Apprentice’ starring business tycoon Donald Trump was a ratings winner, and I actually enjoyed it too, but Trump is acting as if everything around him is reality television. But he wasn’t the only one.
As a manager, you have to play a role. You have to be tough, and you have to stand by your decisions. You shouldn’t show weakness, but you are allowed to be empathetic, sympathetic, and supportive to your team. Ultimately, you have to play a part, when you are a manager, the way an actor plays a role on stage or film.
One historical leader who was notably driven by media publicity and understood its power was Adolf Hitler. His rise to power in Germany during the 1930s was heavily influenced by his mastery of propaganda and media manipulation. His Nazi Party utilized newspapers, radio, films, and mass rallies to cultivate a cult of personality, to spread their ideology, and to consolidate power.
Hitler’s propaganda minister, Joseph Goebbels, played a crucial role in crafting and disseminating messages that portrayed Hitler as a charismatic and infallible leader. J.D. Vance, Trump’s vice president, is a good example of a modern-day Goebbels.
The Nazis controlled the media landscape, ensuring that their narrative dominated public perception. Hitler’s image was carefully curated to appeal to the masses, presenting him as a saviour of Germany, especially in the context of the economic hardship and national humiliation following World War I and the Treaty of Versailles.
Hitler’s use of media was not just about self-promotion; it was also a tool for manipulating public opinion, spreading anti-Semitic and nationalist ideologies, and suppressing dissent. His regime’s reliance on media publicity was a key factor in maintaining control over the German population and advancing his agenda.
While Hitler is an extreme example, his understanding of the power of media publicity underscores how leaders throughout history have used communication tools to shape their image and influence public perception. Other leaders, such as Benito Mussolini in Italy and Joseph Stalin in the Soviet Union, also relied heavily on propaganda and media control to maintain their authority. Both, like Hitler, were dictators, which should worry those observing Trump in America, who is following an identical path.
However, there was one historical leader who was heavily driven by media publicity and understood its power. This was Napoleon Bonaparte.
He was a French military leader who rose to prominence during the French Revolution, and he became Emperor of France in 1804. He’s known for his military genius and the Napoleonic Wars, which expanded his empire across much of Europe.
But there’s a striking similarity to Donald Trump. In 1814, after a series of military defeats and the invasion of France by a coalition of European powers, Napoleon was forced to abdicate and was exiled to the island of Elba.
But just like Trump, he rose to power and prominence again. In 1815, Napoleon escaped from Elba and returned to France, regaining power during a period known as the Hundred Days.
This return ended with his defeat at the Battle of Waterloo in June 1815. He was then exiled to the remote island of Saint Helena, where he spent the remainder of his life, dying in 1821.
Impossible is a word to be found only in the dictionary of fools.
Napoleon
Napoleon was a master of self-promotion, and he used the media of his time to cultivate his image as a heroic and visionary leader. He recognized the importance of controlling public perception and employed various tactics to ensure his exploits were celebrated and his authority legitimized.
His ego and bravado saw him commission numerous paintings and sculptures that depicted him in a heroic light. Artists like Jacques-Louis David created iconic works such as Napoleon Crossing the Alps, which portrayed him as a bold and decisive leader. These artworks were widely circulated and displayed, reinforcing his image as a larger-than-life figure.
Like Hitler, after him, Napoleon controlled the press in France, ensuring that newspapers reported favourably on his military campaigns and political achievements. He established official bulletins, such as the Bulletin de la Grande Armée, which glorified his victories and downplayed his defeats. By controlling the narrative, Napoleon shaped public opinion and maintained his popularity.
Like Trump, Napoleon understood the power of symbolism and used it to reinforce his authority. His coronation as Emperor in 1804 was a grand spectacle designed to evoke the grandeur of ancient Rome and the divine right of kings. He also revived Roman-inspired titles and imagery, such as the laurel wreath, to associate himself with the glory of classical antiquity. It’s a criticism labelled at Trump, who sees himself as a ‘king.’.
Trump is the kinglike president many feared
As is beginning to happen with certain news agencies in America, Napoleon tightly controlled the flow of information, censoring publications that criticized him and promoting those that supported his regime. He used the media to suppress dissent and maintain his grip on power.
His ability to manipulate media and public perception was a key factor in his rise to power and his ability to maintain control over France and its empire. His legacy as a master of propaganda has influenced leaders throughout history, demonstrating the enduring power of media in shaping political narratives. And in the modern era, the Napoleon of our time is none other than Donald Trump!
Trump’s use of social media, particularly Truth Social and, before that, Twitter, revolutionized political communication. His direct and unfiltered approach allowed him to bypass traditional media and speak directly to his supporters, shaping the narrative around his presidency. But the issue that follows such egos is the amount of misinformation and blatant lies, which, if unrestrained, creates a cornucopia of right-wing ideologies and, dare I say, dangerous precedents.
Right now, the world serves as Trump's stage, and he’s genuinely enjoying every moment of it. The last six weeks have been like a thriller, with one twist after another, and the frightening thing is that during his speech to Congress on 4 March 2025, Trump said ‘he’s only just getting started.’
The outcome of this gruesome tale remains uncertain, but it's important to keep in mind that both Hitler and Napoleon ultimately met their demise. The question is the extent of the damage and the number of individuals who will endure hardship before Trump's eventual downfall.
© Thomas Ferguson 2025