Radical with Amol Rajan Can Donald Trump Be Compared To Julius Caesar? (Your Radical Questions with Tom Holland)
Jan 5, 2026
Historian Tom Holland, co-host of The Rest Is History, dives deep into intriguing comparisons between today’s Britain and the 1970s, highlighting geopolitical threats and Northern Ireland’s challenges. He unpacks the frequent comparisons of American presidents to Julius Caesar, revealing the historical anxieties that fuel this perspective, especially regarding Trump. The conversation also touches on the etymology of 'radical' and injects some humor with cricket banter, showcasing Holland's lighter side amidst the serious topics.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
1970s Fears Were More Existential
- Britain today lacks several existential threats that defined the 1970s, notably intense sectarian street violence in Northern Ireland and the omnipresent fear of nuclear apocalypse.
- Holland says these absent dangers make today's anxieties (climate, AI, geopolitics) less viscerally existential than Cold War-era fears.
Roman Memory Shapes US Fears
- The American Republic constantly fears a 'Caesar' because its founders modelled themselves on Rome and built institutions around that memory.
- Tom Holland argues Trump's theatrical populism fits longstanding American political vibes rather than being a wholly foreign phenomenon.
Politics Runs On Vibes As Much As Policy
- 'Vibes' and performative politics matter deeply in republics modelled on Rome, where populists (populares) and conservatives competed through image as much as policy.
- Holland views Trump's success as tapping pre-existing populist templates rather than creating a novel authoritarian model.