Episode 115 - Influencers #20 President Donald J Trump part II

olarising nature of Trump’s policies and whether time—and the benefit of hindsight—is essential in fairly judging his effectiveness as a leader.

A major theme in this episode is Trump as a brand. Long before the White House, ‘Trump’ was a household name, and Chris and Gareth dissect how he leveraged that brand for influence and profit while in office. They delve into the moral implications of making money from the presidency, exploring the conflicts of interest this creates, and ask whether the norm-breaking behaviour that fuels outrage is actually the glue that binds his base—many of whom feel frustrated and disenfranchised by the political establishment.

Chris poses the question of how much Trump’s fame—particularly as the star of The Apprentice—shaped his rise to power. This sparks a discussion on actual success versus perceived success, with Gareth arguing that it’s the perception of success that seems to drive Trump above all else.

The episode rounds off with a look at the idea of the 'cult of personality', and how Trump’s magnetic influence has led many supporters to abandon previously held beliefs. Finally, they consider whether his chaotic communication style—flooding the zone with noise or throwing out political ‘dead cats’—is part of a deliberate strategy to distract from more sinister motives, or simply a by-product of managed chaos.

🎙️ This episode brings thought-provoking insights into power, perception, and personality in modern leadership.

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