The U.S. Political Landscape Through the Lens of Wicked
The story of Wicked is ultimately about perception, power, and the way history is shaped by those who control the narrative. In the current U.S. political climate, Donald Trump and Kamala Harris can be compared to Elphaba and Glinda—not necessarily in their personal values, but in how they are treated by the political establishment and media. Trump, like Elphaba, is vilified despite believing he is fighting against corruption, while Harris, like Glinda, benefits from an existing system that rewards compliance and optics over true challenges to power.
Elphaba as Trump: The Vilified Outsider
In Wicked, Elphaba is unjustly labeled as the "Wicked Witch" due to her defiance against the corrupt establishment. She stands for what she believes is right but is demonized by those in power. Similarly, Donald Trump has been characterized as a political disruptor, often challenging norms and institutions. His presidency saw constant clashes with the media, political elites, and even members of his own party. Headlines such as "Disgusting news: Donald Trump whips up crowd anger as he vilifies media" (The Guardian) highlight his adversarial relationship with the press, which fuels the cycle of mutual vilification. Another article, "Trump's second presidency marks a dark era for journalism" (The Miami Hurricane), discusses how Trump’s rhetoric and actions have been perceived as threats to journalistic freedom, reinforcing his villainous image.
Elphaba's green skin sets her apart, making her an immediate target for prejudice and misunderstanding. Her strong-willed and independent nature, combined with her commitment to challenging systemic injustices, positions her as a threat to the established order in Oz. Similarly, Trump's ascent in politics was marked by his unorthodox style and willingness to confront both the media and political establishments. His approach disrupted traditional political discourse, leading to a contentious relationship with mainstream media outlets. According to Ballotpedia, Trump frequently expressed negative opinions of major news organizations, labeling their coverage as biased and referring to them as "fake news."
Moreover, Trump's presidency saw repeated efforts to discredit him through political investigations. The Russia collusion investigation, heavily covered by outlets like CNN and The New York Times, dominated headlines for years. Yet, later reports from the Department of Justice Inspector General and Special Counsel John Durham found significant flaws in the origins and justifications of the probe. This pattern mirrors Elphaba's plight, where the establishment uses misinformation to paint her as a threat, making it difficult for her to be seen as anything other than the villain they’ve constructed.
Glinda as Kamala: The Beneficiary of the System
Meanwhile, Glinda, in Wicked, benefits from aligning with the establishment, receiving adulation and rising in status. She embraces the system rather than fights it, making her a palatable and celebrated figure. Kamala Harris's political journey reflects a similar trajectory, where media narratives often cast her in a favorable light. From her tenure as California’s attorney general to becoming vice president, Harris has enjoyed significant media praise. Articles such as "Doug Emhoff, praising Harris as 'joyful warrior,' shows personal side in DNC speech" (CBS News) emphasize her positive qualities and dedication rather than focusing on criticisms of her prosecutorial record or policy inconsistencies. Even international media have lauded Harris, with Russian state media extensively covering her role and influence.
A Gallup poll in late 2024 indicated that Harris maintained a favorable rating of 53%, largely influenced by supportive media portrayals. During the Biden administration, Harris faced scrutiny for her role in handling immigration and border security, yet media outlets like MSNBC and The Washington Post frequently framed her in a forgiving light, emphasizing the challenges she inherited rather than her effectiveness. This is reminiscent of how Glinda remains beloved despite questionable decisions, as long as she upholds the existing order.
Additionally, Harris’s public image benefits from carefully crafted messaging that highlights her historic status as the first female vice president of color while downplaying potential criticisms. Major news networks often showcase her speeches and engagements in a positive light, portraying her as a symbol of progress. For example, Vogue's 2021 cover featuring Harris described her as "Madam Vice President" with an empowering narrative, yet faced criticism for being overly fawning. This mirrors Glinda’s ability to win over the people of Oz through charm and showmanship rather than through substantive governance. As the song What Is This Feeling from Wicked states:
"Dear Galinda, you are just too good
How do you stand it? I don't think I could
She's a terror, she's a tartar
We don't mean to show a bias
But Galinda, you're a martyr
Well, these things are sent to try us"
This lyric encapsulates how Glinda, much like Harris, is elevated to near-martyrdom by those around her, who see her as a beacon of goodness despite her privilege within the system.
The Wizard and Madame Morrible: The Media and Political Establishment
In Wicked, the Wizard and Madame Morrible manipulate narratives to maintain control, casting Elphaba as a villain and Glinda as a hero. This mirrors how media and political establishments can shape public perception through selective storytelling. Just as the citizens of Oz are fed misleading tales about Elphaba’s wickedness, Americans receive narratives that shape their views on political figures.
The media establishment often amplifies negative narratives about Trump while suppressing unfavorable stories about Harris. For instance, Twitter and Facebook heavily restricted the circulation of the Hunter Biden laptop story before the 2020 election, a decision that later raised ethical concerns about tech platforms’ role in shaping public discourse. By contrast, the Russia collusion narrative against Trump was widely circulated despite later findings that much of it lacked substantiated evidence. This parallel to the Wizard’s deceptive leadership in Wicked illustrates how information control dictates public perception and political legitimacy.
News outlets such as The New York Times and CNN have been accused of favoring progressive candidates while relentlessly attacking conservative figures. A Media Research Center study found that 92% of Trump’s media coverage in 2020 was negative, while coverage of Harris remained overwhelmingly positive. Just as Madame Morrible uses propaganda to shape Oz’s opinions, mainstream media in the U.S. often dictate public discourse through selective reporting and biased coverage.
Conclusion: Who Writes the Narrative?
The Wicked analogy underscores the profound impact of narrative control in shaping public perception. Just as Elphaba and Glinda’s stories were crafted by those in power, the portrayals of Trump and Harris demonstrate how media and political establishments influence societal views, often simplifying complex realities into binary judgments of 'villain' and 'hero.' This comparison invites a deeper reflection on the role of media, the construction of narratives, and the experiences of individuals who, in their quest to challenge the status quo, are branded as antagonists. If history is written by the victors, then modern political narratives are crafted by those who hold the megaphone. The challenge for citizens is to critically assess these portrayals, seek broader perspectives, and engage in independent thought beyond the confines of curated media narratives.
