Trump's real ideology: fame

Over the weekend, former President Donald Trump endorsed Mehmet Oz — "Dr. Oz" to the many viewers of his longtime syndicated television show — in the Pennsylvania GOP primary for U.S. Senate.
This probably isn't a shock. More surprising? Trump's most-devoted right-wing fans rebelled angrily against his pick.
The problem is Oz hasn't always been a doctrinaire conservative. A series of newspaper columns written under his byline advocated gun control measures; he used to be pro-choice; and his show once sympathetically featured transgender kids. He's flipped on guns and abortion, at least, but all of those old stances are no-gos for the MAGA right.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
But Trump has never really been an ideologue. He once touted gun control and pro-choices stances before he realized appealing exclusively to the Rush Limbaugh-Fox News audience was his surest route to power. He's a Republican mostly because it's convenient. From an ideological standpoint, that makes Trump occasionally unreliable for the conservatives who usually cheer him the loudest.
Trump's real ideology — aside from his uncut narcissism — is fame. Everybody knows about the reality show, but his love of television and TV cameras followed him into politics. He was a TV addict during his White House years, spending more time and focus watching cable news than he did on his intelligence briefings. He famously picked cabinet members based on their physical bearing and whether they appeared to be straight out of "central casting." John Bolton got his job as Trump's national security adviser because the president saw him on Fox News. And TV was the reason he picked Oz to endorse in Pennsylvania.
"I have known Dr. Oz for many years, as have many others, even if only through his very successful television show," Trump said in his endorsement. "He has lived with us through the screen and has always been popular, respected, and smart."
Popular, maybe. Oz hasn't always been respected or considered smart, but it's not clear Trump understands there's a difference. And if you lump all three qualities together —deservedly or not — then being famous on TV understandably becomes a natural foundation for serving in the U.S. Senate.
Trump's fans probably shouldn't worry about Oz, however. He has likely learned the same lesson Trump did: You don't need to be a lifelong conservative so long as you fight relentlessly for guns and against abortion and immigration once you enter the political arena. Fame is the foundation of Trump's power, and it probably will end up the same for Oz. Ideas can always come later.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Joel Mathis is a writer with 30 years of newspaper and online journalism experience. His work also regularly appears in National Geographic and The Kansas City Star. His awards include best online commentary at the Online News Association and (twice) at the City and Regional Magazine Association.
-
Make mine a soju and tonic: the rise of Korea's favourite spirit
The Week Recommends The rice-based drink can replace gin or vodka in traditional cocktails for a refreshing twist on the classics
-
The full moon calendar for every month
In depth When to see the lunar phenomenon every month
-
The end of Weight Watchers
Talking Point The diet brand has filed for bankruptcy in the US as it struggles to survive in era of weight-loss jabs
-
The fertility crisis: can Trump make America breed again?
Talking Point The self-styled 'fertilisation president', has been soliciting ideas on how to get Americans to have more babies
-
Trump taps Fox News' Pirro for DC attorney post
speed read The president has named Fox News host Jeanine Pirro to be the top federal prosecutor for Washington, replacing acting US Attorney Ed Martin
-
Trump, UK's Starmer outline first post-tariff deal
speed read President Donald Trump and British Prime Minister Kier Starmer struck a 'historic' agreement to eliminate some of the former's imposed tariffs
-
'Art is one of humanity's great empathic mediums'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
-
Can Trump's team make the MAGA playbook work for Albania's elections?
TODAY'S BIG QUESTION The architects of the president's 2024 victory are looking east to extend their populist reach
-
Denmark to grill US envoy on Greenland spying report
speed read The Trump administration ramped up spying on Greenland, says reporting by The Wall Street Journal
-
Carney and Trump come face-to-face as bilateral tensions mount
IN THE SPOTLIGHT For his first sit-down with an unpredictable frenemy, the Canadian prime minister elected on a wave of anti-Trump sentiment tried for an awkward detente
-
Another messaging app used by the White House is in hot water
The Explainer TeleMessage was seen being used by former National Security Adviser Mike Waltz