Donald Trump’s presidency has a disturbing parallel in the political career of Huey Long

Ninety years ago, a southern politician with a populist agenda was beginning to dominate American national politics: his bombastic rhetoric and narcissistic personality, cynical use of patronage, selfless addiction to power, and calculating manipulation of the media all foreshadowed the central characteristics of today’s Trump presidency. His name was Huey P Long, and his story is important as it offers insights into Trump’s presidency and suggests where it may lead and how it might fail. CONT.

Adrian Mercer, LSE USAPP