Recently, I had a conversation with my father that took an unexpected turn. We were discussing various influential figures, and I mentioned that Donald Trump doesn’t indulge in drinking or smoking and strongly opposes drugs. Surprisingly, my father remarked that Trump reminded him of Mahatma Gandhi. I was initially confused, thinking he meant Rahul Gandhi. However, he clarified that he saw similarities between Trump and Mahatma Gandhi, which left me quite taken aback.
It turns out, there are indeed some uncanny parallels. Just like Mahatma Gandhi, Trump is against alcohol, smoking, drugs, and tattoos. But the resemblances extend beyond these personal choices. Gandhi championed the Swadeshi movement, which encouraged boycotting foreign goods. Trump’s ‘Make America Great Again’ (MAGA) policy echoes this sentiment, using economic nationalism as a form of economic strategy.
Both Gandhi and Trump have wielded the power of non-cooperation in their own ways. Gandhi was known for his ‘fasts-unto-death’ to sway his Congress Party, while Trump has coined the term RINO to pressure centrist Republicans. Their methods, though different, reflect a similar strategic approach to leveraging influence within their respective parties.
Interestingly, both figures have been swayed by personal egos. Gandhi’s decision to support Jawaharlal Nehru over Sardar Patel as India’s first Prime Minister is one example, while Trump’s decisions often reflect his personality-driven leadership style.
When it comes to wars, Gandhi was known for his anti-war stance, yet paradoxically supported Indians fighting for the British. Trump, while advocating for peace, has made significant changes in defense policies, like renaming the Department of Defense to the Department of War.
On a more personal note, both Gandhi and Trump have been open about their relationships with women. Gandhi explored his ideas on sexuality in his writings, while Trump’s public persona is well-documented in this regard. If Trump were to write an autobiography, perhaps he might justify his actions as Gandhi did with his ‘experiments with truth.’
Finally, both leaders have made controversial decisions with lasting impacts. Gandhi’s acceptance of India’s partition led to significant loss of life and long-term implications for the nation. Trump, in his tenure, initiated policies that continue to shape America’s socio-political landscape.
