Politicians are no longer just political figures, they’re curated personalities, crafted for digital intimacy and viral appeal. As voters form parasocial relationships with these carefully managed public images, political engagements shift from policy to personality. Criticism becomes disloyalty, power hides behind charm, and emotional attachment overrides accountability. In treating politicians like people we know, like, or even idolize, we risk replacing democratic responsibility with affective loyalty, and in doing so, we protect the image more than the institution.

 In February 2025, President Donald Trump posted an image of himself wearing a golden crown with the words “Long Live The King.” Days later, he shared another image dressed in papal robes, joking about becoming Pope. These posts sparked backlash, with critics pointing to Article I, Section 9 of the Constitution, which forbids titles of nobility. Trump’s rhetoric, while styled as humor, reflects a deeper erosion of democratic norms. In a nation founded on the rejection of monarchy and the embrace of rule by the people, such gestures are not just symbolic—they are dangerous. The presidency is not a throne; it is a public trust. Treating it otherwise threatens the very foundations of the republic.

North Carolina’s 2026 Senate race is shaping up to be one of the most competitive—and unpredictable—contests in the country. With high-profile contenders emerging in both parties and a vulnerable incumbent caught between factions, the outcome will depend heavily on who actually enters the race.