The problem with celebrity politicians

About this episode

Megan McArdle discusses the impact of celebrity candidates on modern elections and the need for a return to traditional politics for stability.

Host Megan McArdle explores the rise of the celebrity candidate, from Ronald Reagan to Arnold Schwarzenegger to Trump himself. She explains how parasocial relationships shape modern elections, and why Trump’s success depended on a unique mix of media savviness, outsider status, timing and luck that may be impossible to replicate. And she argues that if America wants a more stable political future, it will need to return to a more normal kind of politics.

People in this episode

Host: Megan McArdle

Topics covered

• celebrity politicians
• parasocial relationships
• media savviness
• political stability
• elections

Keywords

• celebrity candidates
• Trump
• politics
• elections
• media

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