Shares of the Trump administration's reputation took a hit in recent weeks as a Vanity Fair profile of White House chief of staff Susie Wiles went viral, raising questions about the administration's basic competency. The profile, which described the president as having an alcoholic's personality and referred to one of Trump's top officials as a zealot, was just the latest example of a longstanding pattern for the second Trump administration: a blurring of the lines between politics and influencer culture.

According to experts, the changing nature of celebrity and the rise of parasocial relationships have created a unique challenge for the Trump administration. "The Trump administration is essentially a reality TV show," said Dr. Jennifer Pozner, a media critic and expert on the intersection of politics and celebrity culture. "They're using the same tactics that made Trump a reality TV star to try to win over voters and shape public opinion."

The Vanity Fair profile, which was published in December 2025, was just the latest example of the administration's willingness to blur the lines between politics and entertainment. In the article, Wiles described the president's behavior as erratic and unpredictable, and referred to one of Trump's top officials as a zealot. The profile was widely shared on social media, with many commentators expressing shock and dismay at the administration's behavior.

The Trump administration's use of influencer culture has been a hallmark of its second term, with the president and his advisors frequently using social media to promote their policies and attack their opponents. According to Christian Paz, a correspondent at Vox, the administration's use of social media has created a unique challenge for journalists and policymakers. "The Trump administration is essentially a 24/7 reality TV show," Paz said. "They're always on, always tweeting, and always trying to shape public opinion."

The blurring of the lines between politics and entertainment has also created a unique challenge for the media. According to Dr. Pozner, the media has a responsibility to hold the administration accountable for its actions, but the administration's use of influencer culture has made it difficult to do so. "The Trump administration is essentially a reality TV show, and the media is struggling to keep up," Pozner said.

As the Trump administration continues to navigate the challenges of its second term, it remains to be seen whether it will be able to maintain its grip on power. According to Paz, the administration's use of influencer culture has created a unique challenge for its opponents. "The Trump administration is essentially a 24/7 reality TV show, and its opponents are struggling to keep up," Paz said.

In the meantime, the Trump administration's use of influencer culture continues to raise questions about the nature of politics and celebrity culture. As Dr. Pozner noted, the administration's behavior is a symptom of a larger problem: the blurring of the lines between politics and entertainment. "The Trump administration is essentially a reality TV show, and it's a show that we're all stuck watching," Pozner said.