How 1980s wrestling lore sheds light on the rise of Trump’s MAGA movement

Jonathan V. Last expands David Shoemaker’s analysis of 1980s wrestling to argue that Donald Trump’s political ascent mirrors the sport’s scripted drama, or “kayfabe.” By citing Trump’s partnership with ex-wrestling promoter Vince McMahon and his erratic shifts between insults and embraces, Last suggests the electorate treated the campaign as a theatrical show. He draws parallels between Hulk Hogan’s inflated height and weight claims and Trump’s own self-descriptions, noting both use exaggerated narratives to craft a larger-than-life image.

The essay also observes that supporters act as an audience that embraces the performance, ensuring the movement’s durability beyond any single leader. Ultimately, Last contends that the MAGA phenomenon functions as a cultural narrative where the line between character and reality is deliberately blurred.