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The reality TV roots of the MAGA coalition

BBG News

In 2001, not many politicians paid much attention to Joe Rogan, and many didn’t even recognize his name. They might have caught a glimpse of him on the show “Fear Factor” on NBC, where people dared to eat sheep eyeballs or immerse themselves in containers filled with rats for a chance to win $50,000.

It might seem just as implausible that the brashly masculine presenter of the show would ascend to such a significant role in U.S. culture, as it does to imagine Donald Trump winning the presidential election – not once, but twice.

Over two decades have passed, and Joe Rogan now hosts one of the world’s most listened-to podcasts titled “The Joe Rogan Experience.” In the 2024 election cycle, politicians aiming to appeal to younger male demographics found his show highly desirable for appearances, despite or maybe because of Rogan’s past tendency to disseminate misinformation on various subjects such as vaccines, COVID-19, transgender individuals, and more.

Even though it’s premature to pinpoint the specific reasons behind Democrats’ potential struggles in 2024, Joe Rogan’s extended interview with Trump towards the campaign’s end and his subsequent endorsement could mark a significant turning point. Many progressives are now advocating for finding a progressive equivalent of Joe Rogan as a countermeasure against Trump 2.0. They might consider venturing beyond conventional party structures and exploring reality TV, an arena that has been instrumental in nurturing influential figures on the right.

Rogan is one of several prominent figures in the conservative media landscape and the self-proclaimed manosphere who gained popularity through reality TV, daytime talk shows, and other unconventional entertainment platforms. With Trump preparing for another term in office, his upcoming administration is being likened to a revival of “The Bizarre Reality Show.

Right after my election victory in November, I tapped Sean Duffy – a familiar face from Season 6 of “The Real World” and a multi-time champion on “The Challenge,” to take up the post of Secretary of Transportation in my administration.

Jimmy Kimmel playfully mused, “Perhaps he’ll choose one of the ‘Teen Moms’ for the role of Secretary of Labor!” implying Duffy as one of his less-embarrassing selections.

Trump additionally chose Mark Burnett, the television producer who initially cast Trump, a man known for repeated bankruptcies, as a flourishing entrepreneur on “The Apprentice,” to serve as a special representative to the United Kingdom.

Cardiothoracic surgeon Dr. Mehmet Oz, who’s famous for promoting questionable treatments like green coffee beans and colloidal silver on his daytime talk show, could potentially lead the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services – an agency that offers healthcare coverage to over 160 million Americans. On the other hand, Linda McMahon, a longtime Trump supporter and unsuccessful senatorial candidate who was once CEO of World Wrestling Entertainment, may soon take charge of the Department of Education – an agency which President Trump has publicly vowed to abolish.

Reality TV influence doesn’t stop at government positions; it extends to various spheres, even including media personalities. For instance, Dr. Drew Pinsky, once featured on VH1’s “Celebrity Rehab,” is now a conservative commentator who frequently converses with figures like Laura Ingraham and Alex Jones. Similarly, Theo Von, a podcast host who gained fame from shows such as “Road Rules,” “The Challenge,” and “Last Comic Standing”, interviewed Trump last year on his show, “This Past Weekend,” which doesn’t explicitly lean politically but draws an audience that is more and more leaning right.

Nelini Stamp, director of strategy for the Working Families Party and creator of the Real Housewives of Politics, suggests that some people vote for individuals such as Donald Trump due to their perceived authenticity, despite his past record of dishonesty. According to her, this notion of authenticity is rooted in the belief that someone who is real simply speaks their mind without much thought or filtering. Essentially, it’s about acting like a character on a reality TV show.

Indeed, I found myself deeply entwined with the realm of reality television too, for it played a significant role in shaping not only Trump’s persona but also his financial status. The Apprentice was more than just a platform; it was a tool he utilized to refurbish his image and amass wealth. Moreover, he masterfully harnessed the raw imagery and propensity for bending truth that are characteristic of this medium, employing these tactics effectively in conducting two victorious presidential campaigns.

Apart from reshaping the Republican Party, he has also recast its media environment according to his likeness. This transformation has seen neoconservatives and fiscal watchdogs evolve into pseudo-populist figures, often fixated on conspiracies, who seem to embody the classic catchphrase of reality TV: “I’m not here to make friends.

It’s common knowledge that Trump spends considerable time watching TV, especially Fox News, and frequently selects or dismisses individuals not just for their skills but also for their television appeal.

It’s worth noting that many traditional politicians and commentators have been involved with reality TV shows since around 2010. For instance, Sarah Palin joined a Burnett-produced series for TLC shortly after leaving her position as Alaska’s governor mid-term. Since then, figures like Palin and former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani have appeared on “The Masked Singer,” while Rick Perry (former Texas Governor) and Sean Spicer (former White House Press Secretary) have graced the stage of “Dancing With the Stars.

On the other hand, this trend implies a deeper relationship between the mindset prevalent in reality TV – characterized by certain personalities and perspectives that prosper in unscripted settings – and the Trumpian ideology. It’s like a reality TV-to-MAGA conveyor belt, and it seems to be operating at full capacity recently.

As a passionate cinephile, I’d put it this way: “Reality shows often focus on straightforward narratives. You’ve got your protagonist, your antagonist, someone you root for, and someone you boo. On reality television, characters are typically flattened out, and when something goes awry, there’s always a scapegoat – a pattern I’ve noticed in MAGA politics as well.” This draws a parallel between the simplified storytelling of reality TV and the polarizing dynamics often seen in contemporary politics.

She points out that while many recognize reality TV isn’t an exact portrayal of real life, we still resonate with its emotional aspects, not necessarily regarding it as completely factual. Similarly, supporters of Donald Trump may not blindly accept everything he says.

Duffy’s journey from “Real World” cast member to cabinet appointee offers valuable insights. Back in 1997, this lumberjack-turned-lawyer with a thick Wisconsin accent featured on the Boston season of the trailblazing MTV reality show. His relationships often butted heads with co-star Kameelah Phillips, using derogatory language towards her and even comparing her to Hitler due to her open expression of Black pride.

In contrast to many reality shows during that time, “The Real World” frequently paired conservative individuals like Duffy with those who opposed their views, yet he faced no repercussions for the disagreements. The following year, he joined the spinoff “Road Rules: All Stars,” which later became famous as “The Challenge.” Here, he encountered his future wife, Rachel Campos-Duffy, who had a similar role in Season 3 of “The Real World” in San Francisco. Known for her political outspokenness, she took her housemates to an event with Republican politician Jack Kemp, but she also showed understanding and empathy, forming a bond with co-star Pedro Zamora, a gay AIDS activist who passed away shortly after the series finale due to complications from the disease. The Duffys tied the knot in 1999 and have since grown their family to nine children.

For several years, Duffy delved into reality TV, but later shifted gears to politics. He held the position of district attorney in Ashland County, Wisconsin, and subsequently won a seat in Congress during the Republican wave of 2010 influenced by the tea party. In the House of Representatives, Duffy emerged as an early backer of Trump, conversing with Campos-Duffy at the 2016 Republican National Convention and advocating for the president amidst his tumultuous first term. Duffy vacated his position in Congress in 2019, stating the necessity to care for a child with health issues that he and his wife were anticipating. Shortly afterward, both Duffys found themselves hosting shows within the Fox News network.

In interviews, Duffy has expressed that “The Real World” showed him the importance of finding shared ground with individuals from diverse backgrounds and ideologies. He noted in 2019 that this same principle applies in the House of Representatives: when given an opportunity, and trust is established through friendship, it’s astounding how much collaborative legislation can be achieved, and just how many commonalities you might discover.

In the year 2000, reality TV underwent a significant shift with the debut of “Survivor” on CBS. This show, brought to America by Burnett, combined the peeking-into-people’s-lives aspect of “The Real World” with a competitive edge reminiscent of Darwinian struggle. Other shows like “The Challenge” quickly followed suit, attempting to mimic this format. It’s worth mentioning that Duffy pocketed $50,000 in “The Challenge: The Battle of the Seasons,” which was broadcast early in 2002 and marked the first season where competitors were eliminated in a manner similar to “Survivor.

According to Susie Meister, co-host of “The Brain Candy Podcast”, shows like “Survivor” and “The Challenge” have significantly encouraged unacceptable actions among participants. As a cast member on “Road Rules” in 1998 and a competitor on several seasons of “The Challenge,” Meister observed this change up close. The contestants understand that instigating conflicts is crucial for being selected for multiple seasons, thereby ensuring continued income.

She explains that it seems logical to her why many conservative politicians have adopted the strategy of unrestricted speech and dismissal of polite discourse and politically correct language. The general population tends to view this as truthful: ‘They’re speaking candidly.’ Instead, what is often perceived as shocking or rude, is instead seen as, ‘At last, someone is being honest and genuine,’ regardless of the accuracy.

Even though authenticity is highly valued, many reality TV personalities create over-the-top personas to gain attention. Meister acknowledges the characters she portrayed: She was chosen for her virginal blonde image on “Road Rules,” but being on the show helped her develop politically. Later, as she sought a career in media, she encountered subtle pressure to adopt a conservative persona akin to Megyn Kelly. Her agent commented, “It’s a pity that you’re not conservative, because if you were, there would be more opportunities for women who look like you” – meaning Caucasian, blonde, and conventionally attractive.

In simpler terms, the American political scene, notably conservative politics, is increasingly influenced by bold personalities who grab headlines in a divided media environment, rather than delving into the intricacies of policy-making. As Lindemann puts it, both the MAGA-sphere and reality TV are usually filled with dynamic, frequently flamboyant individuals who draw our focus.

Trump portrayed a fictionalized version of himself on “The Apprentice” starting in 2004. As Kwame Jackson, runner-up from Season 1 and now president of Kwame Inc., a consulting firm, explains, “Modern-day Trump was molded by ‘The Apprentice,’ which peddled that image as the epitome of success to Middle America.” He adds, “It was a fabrication, but America embraced it wholeheartedly. Regrettably, it unleashed some of capitalism’s most extreme aspects.

Reality TV thrives on the notion that one doesn’t necessarily require conventional talent to gain fame. Similarly, the conservative ideology often shows contempt for specialized knowledge and experience in fields like science, medicine, politics, etc. According to Lindemann, all you need is charisma and the right beliefs to be considered credible.

With nearly half the nation preparing for yet another installment of “The Trump Show,” a spectacle they fervently wished to sidestep, there’s widespread curiosity about how he orchestrated this return, given his history of 34 felony convictions, two impeachments, and an incitement of violent insurrection.

The solution can be found in the general attitude towards reality TV, where viewers tend to accept unusual actions and easily forgive mistakes. This is demonstrated by cases like Teresa Giudice, a long-term “Real Housewives of New Jersey” cast member (and Trump supporter) who served time for financial fraud but quickly resumed her role on Bravo, and Erika Girardi, whose popularity persists despite concerns about her estranged husband’s alleged financial misdeeds.

In my perspective, individuals can often switch roles from an antagonist to a protagonist, surprising us with their transformation. Trump, undeniably, has gone through several ‘antagonist seasons’, as one might put it. Yet, he’s also managed to orchestrate some remarkable comebacks, particularly after the assassination attempt last summer. At that time, the media seemed to reframe him in a heroic light.

Stamp remarks, “Some say, ‘But isn’t it unbelievable that we’ve moved past what Trump did in January 2016?!’ My response would be: It’s been nearly four years. Haven’t you ever watched a reality TV show?

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2025-01-19 14:33

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