ABSTRACT

This book explores the presidential image of Donald Trump as it is constructed by the media within American national mythology, precisely the frontier myth.

By offering an account of three milestones in the development of the frontier mythology in its intersection with presidential imagery, the book shows how the image of Donald Trump fits into the line of "cowboy presidents," together with Theodore Roosevelt and Ronald Reagan. It also offers insights into the reasons for making Russian president Vladimir Putin a part of Trump’s story and a routinely mentioned figure in American presidential politics.

Applying the means of philosophical anthropology to this topical issue at the intersection of politics and the media, this volume will appeal to those working and studying in the areas of media studies, political anthropology, American studies, and myth studies.

chapter 1|10 pages

“The toughest guy in the office”

chapter 2|24 pages

Theodore Roosevelt

The becoming of the frontier and the arrival of the hero

chapter 3|11 pages

Ronald Reagan

Extension of the frontier and inversion of the hero

chapter 4|11 pages

Donald Trump

Recovered meanings of the frontier and resurgence of the hero

chapter 5|4 pages

Vladimir Putin

“Stolen” meanings of the frontier and a supplementing hero

chapter |4 pages

Concluding thoughts