Donald Trump’s narcissism knows no bounds, as evidenced by the staggering array of historical figures he has compared himself to. From saints to mobsters, his self-aggrandizing comparisons reveal a man consumed by his own inflated self-importance.
Trump’s towering ego is hardly a revelation, yet the depths of his self-admiration continue to astonish. Boasting about his unparalleled popularity, claiming credit for the New York City skyline, and asserting that global conflicts would have been averted under his continued leadership are just the tip of the iceberg.
Here’s a list of historical figures to whom Trump has audaciously likened himself.
Nelson Mandela
Trump’s narcissism reached new heights when he equated his legal struggles with Nelson Mandela’s fight against apartheid. Despite spending 27 years in prison for his cause, Mandela was reduced to a prop in Trump’s narrative. Shamelessly, Trump claimed the gag order in his hush money case mirrored Mandela’s persecution.
“If this Partisan Hack wants to put me in the ‘clink’ for speaking the open and obvious TRUTH, I will gladly become a Modern Day Nelson Mandela – It will be my GREAT HONOR,” Trump wrote on Truth Social.
Ironically, Trump’s former lawyer Michael Cohen once revealed that Trump had previously disparaged Mandela, showing his selective admiration.
Mother Teresa
In a moment that epitomizes his grandiosity, Trump compared himself to Mother Teresa after being found guilty of paying off a porn star. Exiting the Manhattan courthouse, he boldly claimed that even the revered nun couldn’t have overcome such charges. This preposterous assertion is just the latest in a series of self-comparisons to iconic figures.
Jesus Christ
Trump has frequently nurtured a messianic image, courting evangelical Christians by drawing parallels between himself and Jesus. Reposting a follower’s message comparing his legal woes to Christ’s persecution, and sharing AI-generated images of Jesus by his side, Trump blatantly feeds his Messiah Complex.
The Mona Lisa
Trump’s narcissism also extended to art, likening himself to the Mona Lisa. He claimed that just as people repeatedly view the iconic painting, his supporters endlessly appreciate his rallies. This bizarre comparison underscores his belief in his unique, unparalleled appeal.
Abraham Lincoln
Trump has repeatedly claimed to have competed with Abraham Lincoln in terms of presidential greatness. At a campaign rally, he even suggested he had done more for Black Americans than Lincoln, including the Emancipation Proclamation. This audacious claim underscores Trump’s boundless self-regard.
Elvis Presley
In a bizarre act of self-glorification, Trump posted an image merging his face with Elvis Presley’s, asking followers to affirm their likeness.
“For so many years people have been saying that Elvis and I look alike. Now this pic has been going all over the place. What do you think?” he asked his followers.
Naturally, this comparison drew a deluge of mockery on social media.
Al Capone
At the Conservative Political Action Conference, Trump boasted about being indicted more times than notorious mob boss Al Capone. Reveling in the comparison, he seemed to relish the infamy associated with Capone’s violent reputation, further highlighting his obsession with grandiosity.
“Remember this, I’ve been indicted more times than Alphonse Capone, Scarface,” he bragged at the Republican gathering, delighting in the infamous gangster’s reputation.
“If he had dinner with you and he didn’t like the smile on your face – thought you were mocking him by smiling – you would be dead before you went home and said hello to your wife.”
Sir Winston Churchill
Trump audaciously compared his handling of the COVID-19 pandemic to Winston Churchill’s leadership during WWII. Citing Churchill’s calm demeanor during London’s bombings, Trump likened his own approach to downplaying the virus, a comparison both absurd and self-serving.
Ronald Reagan
Trump has excused his past Democratic affiliations by comparing himself to Ronald Reagan, another actor-turned-president. Despite using Reagan’s image for personal gain, Trump lashed out when criticized, showing his selective admiration.
George Washington
In an AI-generated image, Trump replaced George Washington as the leader of the Continental Army, marking another egotistical attempt to align himself with revered historical figures. This, predictably, invited widespread mockery.
From Mother Teresa to Al Capone, Trump’s comparisons are a testament to his unparalleled narcissism, painting a portrait of a man with a grandiose self-image unmatched by reality.
