How Machiavelli’s ideas can be connected to Trump

Books by Niccolò Machiavelli—especially The Prince—are relevant to understanding Donald Trump’s behaviour as president because they offer a framework for analysing power, leadership, and political strategy that aligns with many of Trump’s tactics and style.

In short, Machiavelli’s The Prince offers a lens to view Trump not as a traditional democratic leader, but as a power-focused strategist—someone who disrupts, manipulates, and dominates rather than governs through consensus or convention.

This comparison doesn’t claim Trump consciously follows Machiavelli, but his leadership style often reflects key Machiavellian themes in practice.

1. Power Above Principle

• Machiavelli’s view: A ruler should prioritize maintaining power over moral or ethical concerns; the ends justify the means.
• Trump connection: Trump often emphasized loyalty, dominance, and winning at all costs. He frequently broke with political norms and was unapologetic about doing so if it advanced his agenda or image.

2. Use of Fear and Division

• Machiavelli: It is better for a ruler to be feared than loved, if he cannot be both.
• Trump: He used rhetoric that instilled fear of outsiders, enemies, and political opponents, energizing supporters while dividing the public. His approach to immigration, protest movements, and international relations often relied on strong, fear-based messaging.

3. Control of Image and Narrative

• Machiavelli: A leader must appear virtuous, even if he is not, and should carefully control his image.
• Trump: He obsessively controlled his media narrative, branding himself as a successful outsider and truth-teller despite frequent contradictions. His use of social media (especially Twitter) was a key tool in shaping his public persona and bypassing traditional media.

4. Populism and Manipulating Public Perception

• Machiavelli: A ruler should know how to act like both a lion (forceful) and a fox (cunning). He must understand the desires of the people.
• Trump: He mastered populist messaging, presenting himself as the voice of the “forgotten” American. His unpredictable behaviour kept both supporters and critics reacting to him, giving him the upper hand in shaping public debate.

5. Contempt for Institutions and Elites

• Machiavelli: Traditional institutions should be used or bypassed when they hinder power.
• Trump: He frequently attacked government agencies, courts, the media, and even military leaders, casting them as part of a corrupt “deep state” working against him.

Brief comparison table showing

Machiavellian principles from The Prince alongside Donald Trump’s actions as president:

Machiavellian Principle – Trump’s Corresponding Behaviour

  • “It is better to be feared than loved, if you cannot be both.”
    • Trump used strong, often aggressive rhetoric—toward immigrants, the media, and foreign leaders—to project strength and dominance.
  • “A wise prince should attract to himself the minds of great men and honour them.”
    • Trump often surrounded himself with loyalists and dismissed dissenters, favouring personal loyalty over institutional expertise.
  • “The ends justify the means.
    • Trump was unapologetic about using controversial or norm-breaking tactics if they helped him politically or boosted his image.
  • “A prince must learn how not to be good.”
    • Trump presented himself as a rule-breaker and disruptor, often flouting political norms and legal boundaries.
  • Appear virtuous, even if you’re not.
    • Trump portrayed himself as a champion of “law and order,” “religious freedom,” and “patriotism,” even while engaging in polarizing or divisive actions.
  • Control your image; perception is key.
    • Trump heavily relied on social media, especially Twitter, to shape public perception and bypass traditional media filters.
  • Use of deceit is acceptable if it serves power.
    • Trump made many false or misleading claims, often doubling down rather than retracting—controlling narrative through repetition.
  • Divide and conquer: exploit rivalries and factions.
    • Trump frequently played groups against each other—political opponents, media outlets, even allies—keeping attention focused on himself.
  • Disregard tradition when necessary.
    • Trump questioned the legitimacy of elections, dismissed long-standing alliances, and challenged institutional checks.
  • Populism as a power tool.
    • Trump positioned himself as the voice of the “forgotten” or “real” Americans, contrasting himself with elites and the establishment.