The Man Behind the Curtain

How Donald Trump became our very own Wizard of Oz

Digitally created by Bright America.

“And nobody in all of Oz
No wizard that there is or was
Is ever gonna bring me down”

“Defying Gravity”, Wicked

We've all seen The Wizard of Oz. It's a classic story — adventure, courage, a little magic, and one big con job. At the heart of it is a journey to see the so-called mighty Wizard, ruling from his throne in the Emerald City. But when Toto finally pulls back the curtain (aren’t dogs the best?), Dorothy and friends find… just some guy pulling levers, using smoke and mirrors to seem all-powerful. Sound familiar? Because if you swap out Oz for America, the Wizard for Donald Trump, and the Emerald City for the West Wing, the parallels start stacking up fast.

Illusions of Power

The Wizard keeps his grip on Oz through theatrics. Booming voices, giant floating heads, grand displays of power — anything to make sure no one realizes he’s just an ordinary [con] man with no real magic. Trump? Same playbook. The flashy hotels, the reality TV persona, the tweets in all caps. He created an image of a tough, unbeatable leader, when in reality, much like the Wizard, his power came from his ability to make people believe in the illusion.

Populism and the Promise of Something Better

The Wizard convinces the people of Oz that he alone can fix their problems.

“I alone can fix it.”

Donald Trump

He gives the Scarecrow a diploma, the Lion a medal, and the Tin Man a heart-shaped clock — not because they mean anything, but because they look like they do. Trump, too, promised quick fixes and easy solutions: a wall Mexico would pay for, a booming economy for everyone, an end to corruption in Washington. But, like the Wizard’s trinkets, many of these promises were just props, distractions to make people feel like something was being done — even when it wasn’t.

Theatrics Over Substance

The Wizard hides behind a curtain, making sure no one ever gets close enough to see the truth. Trump mastered this game. He filled every news cycle with outrageous statements, endless feuds, and chaotic drama — all keeping the spotlight off the details. Whether it was his Twitter outbursts, his infamous press conferences, or the spectacle of his rallies, Trump knew that if he kept the show going, people wouldn’t stop to ask: Is there anything real behind this performance?

Revealing the Man Behind the Curtain

Eventually, Dorothy and her friends (all big fans of the Wizard) see through his tricks. They realize he’s just a regular guy who’s been lying to gain to power. And while Trump’s most fanatic supporters may never see or hear him for who he is, the swing voters who gave him the presidency voted to lower costs and improve their lives — promises that seem unlikely to materialize with the tariff chaos underway. Trump and the Wizard’s talent lies in being able to re-spin his own narrative, banking on the hope that enough people will still believe in the myth.

The Great Escape?

But we know how the story ends… well, at least the fictional tale. The Wizard does what con men do best — he skips town. Faced with the reality that he can’t actually give Dorothy what she was promised, he hops into a hot air balloon and drifts away, leaving everyone behind.

And maybe, just maybe, that’s how this chapter of American history ends too. The bluster, the promises, the spectacle — it all fades. The Wizard of Oz leaves Dorothy and the citizens of the Emerald City to clean up the mess. And Trump? Well, if life imitates art, don’t be surprised if he finds a balloon of his own.

“If happy little bluebirds fly
Beyond the rainbow
Why, oh why can't I?”

“Somewhere Over the Rainbow”, The Wizard of Oz

Digitally created by Bright America.