Comparing US politics to Indian TV soaps might feel like a stretch — but not with President Donald Trump leading the pack and the world watching Team Trump in full
flow. If running the United States were a daily soap, President Trump is the unchallenged protagonist, and the plot twists arrive with Ektaa Kapoor-like unpredictability: dramatic exits, sudden comebacks, emotional conflicts, unwanted snubs (What! What! What!) and cliffhangers designed to keep viewers glued. In this case, the entire world! President Trump’s governance style reflects the hallmarks of Ektaa Kapoor’s storytelling — strong, often unstable personalities; intense loyalty battles; never-ending plotting followed by dramatic twists and turns; and a narrative driven by suspense rather than predictability. Instead of quiet policymaking behind closed doors, the Trump thumb rule is defined by public spats on social media, shock decisions announced mid-speech, the snubbing of journalists during routine media briefings, and ‘allies’ who back and bite in rapid cycles. And no — not just Elon Musk! Like Ekta Kapoor’s serials, where characters are either fiercely loyal or dramatic villains, the Trump administration's script thrives on such personalities. And no — I am not naming anyone here, but you can make enough guesses, right? MAGA supporters are celebrated as patriots; one who dares to voice an contrary opinion is branded traitor, corrupt elites, allies with shady backgrounds, some even a threat to the society at large. The characters change, but the tension remains constant. With President Trump at the centre of it, the ‘drama’ is never-ending. Cabinet reshuffles, Supreme Court clashes, media wars, ceasefires, even Nobel Peace Prize — each episode resets the stage for another dramatic reveal. If the world was the stage, President Trump is the ultimate showmaker. He understands audience engagement like nobody does. Every move — a speech, a policy reversal, a global threat — seems carefully crafted to provoke reactions, albeit strong ones. In Trump’s world, the presidency has become more performance than governance. The baseline of Trump’s rule - politics must entertain, awaken, and shock — because boredom equals irrelevance. Well, straight from Indian soap operas? Yet another cue from Indian TV soap operas: the storyline is incredibly personal. President Trump frequently projects the nation’s battles as his own — and vice versa. Victories are “my victories.” Attacks on him are “attacks on America.” This personal fusion of leader and state adds constant melodrama: Will the superhero survive the conspiracies? Will he defeat the ‘villains’ (in Trump’s case, anyone who is not in line with his ‘ideas’) hiding in the background? Sadly, running the country, and a country like the United States, does not rely on creative ‘liberties’ followed by creative chaos. A country relies on predictable policy. Several critics worry that decisions by the Trump administration driven by spectacle, could destabilise markets, unsettle global partners, and create long-term governance risks. Yet, it would be unfair to dismiss the appeal of this style, more so, when his approval ratings are more or less stable. Many Americans cheer President Trump for expediting bureaucratic politics. Trump gives them political theatre where their anger, identity, and frustrations become central to the plot. He plays both producer and lead actor — and the public, willingly or reluctantly, remains the audience. Reviews, of course, are out every quarter for this on-going ‘drama’. However, the question here is whether the US government can function like a thrilling TV serial with twists and turns at every step, or the country will eventually demand a calmer season. Because in Ekta Kapoor’s serials, the show always goes on, and on. In democracies, the audience gets to decide when it ends.
