Heroic Leadership and Populism in the Twenty-First Century: The Populist Superhero Persona of Donald Trump

Abstract: Some scholars argue that Western societies have entered a post-heroic and post-political era in which traditional heroism and politics are being redefined. In this context, Donald Trump’s portrayal as a ‘populist superhero’ offers significant insight into the evolving political zeitgeist. Drawing on Andrea Schneiker’s concept of the populist superhero leader and Michael Butter’s analysis of Trump’s media-driven ‘heroization,’ this paper examines how Trump’s persona, shaped through anti-elite rhetoric, superhero narratives, and audience participation, legitimizes and constructs his political authority. Using visual, written, and oral sources, the analysis reveals how contemporary media culture influences political heroism, leadership, and polarization in America. The sources span the years 2014 to 2024 and encompass both Trump’s ‘self-heroization’ on the basis of his NFT trading cards as well as the heroization by his supporters based on material culture and Internet discourse. This paper asserts that Trump’s self-heroization, amplified by his supporters, exemplifies the intersection of populism, media culture, and (heroic) leadership in the twenty-first century.

Deeming Donald Trump a hero of any kind may be scorned by some and regarded as nothing but the truth by others. This chasm stems from the nature of heroism and is enforced by Trump’s provocative, populist persona. These controversies make it worthwhile to examine his ‘heroization,’ leadership style, and the populist drive behind them in a contemporary context. This provides insight into open questions concerning both heroism and populism. Some scholars argue that Western societies have entered a populist, anti-political, and post-heroic age in the twenty-first century (Bröckling 4; Mudde and Kaltwasser 1; Wood et al. 582), an assessment that signifies a shift in the ways in which heroic leadership and politics are being practiced. Exploring contemporary US politics and the rise of populism through the lens of the (anti-)hero may contribute to an understanding of the current political, social, and cultural zeitgeist in the US.