Conspirituality Brief: Trump the Babyface, Trump the Heel (w/Abraham Josie Reisman)
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Jan 4, 2025 Journalist Abraham Josephine Reisman, known for her insights on pro wrestling and politics, discusses how Donald Trump's wrestling fandom shapes his political persona. She introduces the concept of 'neokayfabe,' where reality and fiction intertwine, making the public complicit in a spectacle of cruelty. Reisman explores Trump's theatricality and its implications for truth in politics, drawing parallels between wrestling archetypes and political dynamics. The conversation reveals how charisma in leadership echoes the performative nature of wrestling, complicating public perception.
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Trump and Pro-Wrestling
- Trump's presidency should be viewed through his pro-wrestling lens, with his close ties to Vince McMahon.
- McMahon's "neokayfabe", blurring fact and fiction, makes consumers complicit in a spectacle of cruelty.
The Significance of Trump's Fandom
- Trump's pro-wrestling fandom is significant because he uses wrestling's tools in politics.
- This blurs reality, making people vulnerable to manipulation.
Babyfaces and Heels
- Pro-wrestling has "babyfaces" (good guys) and "heels" (bad guys), which are essential to the wrestling dynamic.
- These roles create a simplified moral universe for the audience to engage with.
