The Strongman Persona: How Trump Embraces the Myth of Masculine Dominance

In the world of politics, the line between "strongman" and "strong man" can often blur, and it appears that Donald Trump may see little distinction between the two. As the former president's political career has unfolded, his embrace of a certain brand of hyper-masculine, action-hero imagery has become increasingly apparent, drawing from the cultural touchstones of the 1980s and 1990s.

Harnessing the Power of Nostalgia and Machismo

The Hulk Hogan Connection

Donald Trump's association with the world of professional wrestling has long been a part of his public persona. In 2007, he participated in WrestleMania 23, where he and WWE chairman Vince McMahon chose wrestlers to act as their avatars in a "battle of the billionaires." Trump's champion, Bobby Lashley, emerged victorious, and the former president himself even got involved, delivering a clothesline to McMahon. This event, with its over-the-top displays of strength and machismo, perfectly encapsulates the kind of imagery that Trump has sought to cultivate throughout his career.

The Allure of 80s Action Heroes

Trump's affinity for the muscular, hyper-masculine action heroes of the 1980s and 1990s is well-documented. Films like "Bloodsport," starring Jean-Claude Van Damme, and the exploits of wrestlers like Hulk Hogan, have long captivated the former president. These stories of American exceptionalism and triumph over foreign adversaries have clearly resonated with Trump, who has sought to position himself as a modern-day embodiment of that mythologized era.

Embracing the Strongman Persona

Trump's embrace of the strongman persona has been evident in his political rhetoric and actions. His endorsement of autocratic leaders like Hungary's Viktor Orbán, his willingness to engage in physical displays of power, and his use of imagery and language that evokes the action heroes of the past all contribute to the construction of this larger-than-life, muscular image. In the NFT trading cards that Trump has been selling, his own cartoonishly chiseled CGI visage juts his chin and flexes his muscles, further reinforcing this carefully curated persona.

The Intersection of Politics and Hollywood

Trump's embrace of the strongman persona is not entirely unique in the annals of American politics. Previous presidents, such as John F. Kennedy and Ronald Reagan, have also leveraged their connections to Hollywood and the entertainment industry to project a certain image of power and charisma. Trump, however, has taken this to new heights, seamlessly blending his celebrity status with his political ambitions in a way that has resonated with a significant portion of the electorate.

The Enduring Appeal of Masculine Dominance

The appeal of the strongman persona, with its roots in the action-packed narratives of the 80s and 90s, continues to hold sway in American culture. As the country grapples with shifting social dynamics and economic uncertainties, the allure of a larger-than-life, unapologetically masculine figure who promises to vanquish enemies and restore a mythologized version of American greatness can be a powerful draw for some voters. Trump's ability to tap into this vein of nostalgia and masculine dominance has been a key factor in his political success, even as it raises questions about the role of such imagery in the modern political landscape.