Oprah Winfrey: “If you ever ran for president, would you?”
Trump: “I’m going to be honest with you, Oprah. If I ever ran, I’d win. I know I’d win. I’m a smart person. I have a great instinct for this, and I think I could do it.”
This interaction between Oprah Winfrey and Donald Trump occurred in 1988 on The Oprah Winfrey Show. At that time, it appeared that Trump’s comments were more speculative than resolute. His demeanor appeared to be light-hearted and the discussion between the two was casual – relaxed even.
In the years that followed the now prophetic Oprah interview, President Trump made consistent remarks about the possibility of running for president. In a 1999 interview with the New York Times, he hinted at a presidential run as a candidate of the Reform Party in the 2000 election. That same year, he appeared on the ballot for the Reform Party but dropped out of the race before the primaries.
In 2011, President Trump infamously questioned President Barack Obama’s birthplace and eligibility to be president. The media scrutiny surrounding the “birther” issue provided him a platform to further entertain the possibility of his rise to the presidency. In April 2011, in an interview with NBC’s “Today Show”, President Trump discussed his potential candidacy saying, “I’m thinking about it. I’ll make a decision by June or July.”
Over the years, these statements seemed to be more in line with his public persona rather than any serious political ambitions. Then, on June 16, 2015, at a speech at Trump Tower in NYC, Trump announced his campaign for the 2016 presidential election. 511 days later, Donald J. Trump was elected the 45th President of the United States. 1,387 days after January 21, 2021, the final day of Trump’s first term, he was elected the 47th President of the United States.
Critics of President Trump often suggest that he was not a good businessman. Publications such as The New Yorker, The Week, The American Enterprise Institute, and Forbes each at one time published articles supporting a variation of that idea. But whether or not he is a good businessman is no longer the relevant question. Rather, the relevant question now beckoning an answer is: Is Trump America’s most successful politician?
This question begs the question: What makes a politician successful?
Successful leaders and politicians, much like entertainment industry icons, possess a certain “it” factor. Throughout recorded history, notable politicians habitually demonstrated zeal, charisma, resilience, adaptability, and persistence. Those leaders also knew, as the old adage goes, that communication – and control of that communication – is key. Adolf Hilter is an infamous example of this. The combination of his profound oratory skills, charisma, and relatability catapulted him into a position of immense power. President John F. Kennedy is another example of a leader who captivated the masses through his eloquent oratory style, intelligence, and charm. President Trump, for all that he lacks, is undoubtedly charismatic, adaptable, and persistent. While he may not possess the oratory skills displayed by other notable leaders, his charisma equates itself to effective leadership and sincerity.
In addition to the skills that make, or perhaps create, notable leaders is the utilization of the media. Media is a powerful tool used to inform and educate the general public, to record history, and to provide entertainment. Powerful leaders, particularly those in the late 19th and 20th centuries, were very aware of the media’s unique properties. President Trump is no exception.
Beginning in the late 80s, President Trump strategically set to work spreading the “Trump” name and brand. He knew how to use the media to grow his public profile and create awareness. He was adept at manipulating it to his advantage. This manipulation resulted in news stories, magazines, television segments, and talk shows covering him, his brand and branded products, and his real estate ventures. President Trump recognized the power of publicity and developed a system where any coverage of him or his brand was synonymous with success and luxury. Even in times of controversy and financial hardship, he was not afraid to harness the capabilities of the media and strategically position it for his gain.
Not only did President Trump reap the benefit of traditional media outlets, but the unrolling of the internet and the domination of social media further serviced his rise. From the 80s to the early 2010s, Trump was everywhere. So, when it came time to buckle down and hit the campaign trail, President Trump did not want for widespread recognition. His proactive engagement with the media separated him from “conventional” politicians and provided America a non-political face they had known for decades. This familiarity seems to have had a massively persuasive effect on American voters. After all, psychology indicates that it is advantageous to prefer familiarity to the unknown.
Great political candidates and leaders also have a mastery of timing. Nelson Mandela was a pristine example of this. His leadership intuition appeared to guide him to when he needed to lead from behind or when he needed to appear front and center. President Trump displays a similar mastery of timing. In 2016, the Democratic party was a wildly different party than it was pre-2008. What once was the party that represented the interests of the blue collar, working-class American had transformed into a palisade of elite machiavellians. Democratic politicians spoke at the people, not for the people. President Trump could see this threat unraveling and took full advantage to leverage himself above the pack.
Death, taxes, and change are the only guarantees in life. The success of any politician hinges on their ability to adapt to change and persist through uncertainty. Through the use of strategic planning, media presence and manipulation, practical timing, and unwavering adaptability, President Trump managed to distinguish himself from “traditional” politicians and rise to a new level of political effectiveness.