Politics as Performance: Trump, Kayfabe, and the Wrestling of American Beliefs

Religion in Praxis Conversation Series

In this episode, I am joined by Aaron James Goldman (PhD from Harvard University, currently a senior researcher at Lund University), who guides us through the connections between politics, performance, and religion. We really get into his work on kayfabe, which is the theatrical framework behind professional wrestling, and how it has some interesting parallels to Donald Trump's political style. Goldman looks at how Trump's involvement with the WWE has influenced his rhetoric and approach, contributing to his unique brand of political theater. We discuss how kayfabe techniques shape the perceptions and engagement of Trump's supporters, drawing comparisons to religious rituals and exploring the concept of a "co-performative relationship" between leader and audience.