Whether we like to admit it or not, the very idea of celebrity culture is so deeply rooted in our society that we often find ourselves obsessed with the opulence and crushing beauty of it all. We mindlessly flick through magazines to find pictures of their immense mansions, and we troll their Instagram pages to see the extravagant vacations to faraway islands and resorts. Everything surrounding these images has this unattainable, Gatsby-esque quality to it. That unattainability to it all somehow makes it seem even more inviting.
However, this whole culture has found itself a grotesque home: politics. Donald Trump, the leader of the free world, has always been known to us as a celebrity. From his ventures in Celebrity Apprentice to hosting the Miss Universe pageants, nobody can deny that our current president has always portrayed himself as nothing but a man engrossed in the glitz and glamour of a wealthy, notorious life, surrounded by people of the same stature. He finds himself making cameos on many popular and beloved films of the ’90s, such as Home Alone 2 and The Little Rascals. If that isn’t enough, his moniker is used synonymously with the power that wealth brings. We could search through hours of television shows to hear his name repeated over and over again. His daughter, Ivanka Trump, even appeared on Gossip Girl with her husband, Jared Kushner. This is the very same Jared Kushner who has now become senior White House advisor to his father-in-law.
While this celebrity status could have held others down in the political world, Donald Trump’s sickening switch occurred when he announced his presidential candidacy. Though subtle, a change could be felt in the political world. People wanted a ‘fresh face,’ and, though unqualified, they began listening closely to him. His nature as a powerful person in the celebrity world began colliding with the political sphere, and, suddenly, he was a very important part of both.
The political world, which I believed to be trying to work for the people, was suddenly invaded by a different kind – the kind that most often worked for fame, not freedom. They use that unattainable quality mentioned previously to guide themselves through the political world, and I can barely describe the damage that could be done if they continue to use their celebrity statuses.
Now, am I saying that celebrity culture is awful? Not exactly. I would more likely describe it as a highly unlikely situation. But, I would say that its tendency to draw attention to itself and push itself into every corner of a situation make it toxic to American politics. Celebrity culture is unattainable, and the purpose of politics is attainability and freedom for all.
