Trump and Brexit: a rejection of systems out of touch with the masses
The Influence Online
People aren’t connecting with mainstream media’s narratives anymore, they crave something raw, unfiltered, and, above all, entertaining
By Mark Borkowski
Do we have a blind spot? Is there a delusion we can’t see? When Trump won in 2016, and Brexit divided the nation, the “experts” didn’t pause to question what they missed. Instead, they cocooned themselves in an echo chamber, stuck in a loop talking about interference and manipulation. Looking back, they were utterly disconnected from Edward Bulwer-Lytton’s “great unwashed.”
It’s about time we recognised that Trump and Brexit weren’t random flukes; they were seismic rejections of a system out of touch with the masses. We see more and more polarisation across the media and in our everyday lives, that anyone who opposes our worldview is ignorant or dangerous.
Waning institutions
This has led to a new dynamic emerging – the influence of legacy institutions is waning, overtaken by voices like Joe Rogan and Elon Musk. Why? Because people aren’t connecting with mainstream media’s narratives anymore, they crave something raw, unfiltered, and, above all, entertaining.
These voices appeal to the increased polarisation and Trump, channelling the ghost of PT Barnum, understands this better than anyone. His soundbites are forged in the pantomime of WWE – political theatre designed to thrill, where connecting with the audience trumps decorum. This is precisely the appeal for his supporters: it’s visceral, unvarnished, and miles away from the policy talk insiders cling to.
The 2024 election has cemented this profound shift. Traditional gatekeepers, once the arbiters of truth, are being replaced by a decentralised network of influencers who understand that perception is now the currency of influence.
Consensus or connection
We’re entering an era where people craft their own reality, gravitating toward voices that resonate emotionally rather than those conforming to the old rulebook. In this landscape, truth is less about consensus and more about connection.
This shift doesn’t diminish the critical role of journalism; it underscores the need for storytellers who can adapt and who understand that capturing the public’s attention today means meeting them where they are, not where we think they should be.
Nevertheless, our industry must pay attention to the real pulse of change – it isn’t coming from newsrooms but from the disruptors and showmen who know that, in this new era, the performance is the message.