In June 2015, a 69-year-old Donald Trump announced his candidacy for President of the United States. Until now, he had held no office at any level and had never officially campaigned. Despite this, 17 months later in November 2016, he was elected, beating Hillary Clinton and becoming the most powerful man in America. What allowed Trump to assume office with so little prior political experience? The answer may lie partly in his past as a television star, including an eleven-year stint as the host of the reality show The Apprentice. Trump certainly is not the first politician to get his start in politics this way— other examples include former California governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, former US President Ronald Reagan, and Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy. It is no coincidence: the characteristics of being a television or movie star are exceedingly applicable to politics.
The most obviously pertinent skill of an actor is the ability to simply address an audience in an exciting, engaging way. In terms of the entertainer-to-politician path, Ronald Reagan was the first to do it and probably best at it. As an actor in pre-war Hollywood, he developed a keen sense of timing, delivery, and emotion. It contributed to his unique ability to frame issues in ways that resonated with the average American, using anecdotes rather than dry facts or policy details. This skill earned him the nickname “the Great Communicator.” Though not as talented an orator, Donald Trump uses similar techniques in his speeches, appealing to his audience through emotion rather than political minutiae. Just by speaking loudly and passionately, Trump has managed to convince otherwise rational, intelligent Americans that the 2020 election was stolen, Haitian immigrants are murdering pets, and that January 6, 2021 was a “day of love.” Fundamentally, strong oration is essential in politics, no matter what your goal is. It has the power to sway people tremendously, and there is no better practice than show business.
In the 21st century, speaking to the People effectively also means being able to harness social media. Especially through his X (formerly Twitter) account, Trump directly and quickly communicates with voters while avoiding the risk of being censored by professional news outlets. Trump’s social media presence also keeps him constantly relevant. By unleashing short, provocative posts, he consistently remains in the public consciousness; his posts make regular headlines, even when he is not giving speeches or holding rallies. For Donald Trump and many politicians, any press is good press.
In addition to their speaking and media skills, an actor’s persona can also be useful in connecting to an audience. The version of Arnold Schwarzenegger we see in Pumping Iron, The Terminator, and The Predator certainly contains aspects of the real-life actor, but this manufactured character pushes his personality to the extreme. Through his acting and bodybuilding career, Schwarzenegger created a persona that was charismatic and likable but still tough— to many, an ideal leader. This toughness was received well by California voters, who were angered and embarrassed by the current political establishment and sought a candidate who could decisively handle the state’s issues. 16 years later, Volodymyr Zelenskyy would leverage his image in a similar way. Voters inextricably associated the actor with his character on the television show Servant of the People, an everyman history teacher who is elected president after a rant against government corruption. His role framed him as a humble idealist opposed to the political elite, exactly what many Ukrainians were looking for at the time. As a result, he was elected.
One might assume that having no political experience would be a hindrance when running for office, but in some cases, it can surprisingly be an advantage. When electors are frustrated with current political leaders, a fresh, unorthodox candidate can be extremely appealing. In 1999, Jesse Ventura, a Predator co-star, Navy SEAL, and professional wrestler, managed to secure office as the governor of Minnesota. He was able to do so by wholly embracing his outsider status; Ventura’s campaign slogan was "Don't vote for politics as usual." Being an outsider allows a politician to frame themselves as someone new, someone unlikely to play the usual political games. Like Ventura, Trump was successful in 2016 partly because he marketed himself as a president who would shake up the status quo and fight the political elite, promising at one point to “drain the swamp” in Washington. In 2020, rapper to presidential candidate Kanye West received a troubling 70,000 votes during his own bid for the White House. Was there ever a real concern that West could have won the election or even pushed the needle? Almost certainly not. But the phenomenon is definitely indicative of larger societal changes.
As politics becomes an increasingly media-driven spectacle, the line between politician and performer starts to blur. It reflects a shift in what voters are seeking: a personality they can get behind, not just policy expertise. In the age of social media and constant news coverage, not being talked about means that you are falling behind. Soon, successful politicians may be those who can combine substance with showmanship to appease a media-driven electorate. In the 21st century, the question is no longer what entertainers can bring to politics, but whether traditional politicians will need to become more like entertainers to succeed.