Outwit, Outplay, Outlast: Trump’s Spin on “Survivor”

Photo by Brendan Smialowski/AFP via Getty Images

***

The reality TV show “Survivor” entered its 50th season this year, featuring the typical display of alliances, betrayals and wavering tribal council speeches. As a first-time watcher and politically educated American, I couldn’t help but draw parallels between the dramatized activity I was watching on my friend’s Paramount+ account and what I see on national news outlets.

The iconic motto of “Survivor”—Outwit, Outplay, Outlast—can be just as easily applied to the strategy needed to participate in the Trump administration. Considering Trump’s dismissal rate from his past and current term, the secret service is going to have to start placing immunity idols around the White House for members of the president’s cabinet.

Unlike most contestants in the reality show, President Donald Trump is not concerned with staying in the good graces of those in his tribe. From facilitating the departure of former employment-slasher DOGE director Elon Musk to his most recent phasing out of the former Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem, Trump seems to be assuming the role of most contentious player. 

In “Survivor,” the best interest of the tribe should always be the facade each player acts in accordance with. There is no better reputation than trustworthy to attract alliances and loyalty. Again, however, Trump is playing by his own rulebook.

You could use many words to describe the Trump presidency, but stable and reliable is certainly not among them. One day he cries for transparency of the contents of the Epstein files, the next he is urging us to look onward and not become laden with the secrets of the past. In his campaign he branded himself as a peacebringer prioritizing ending wars, not starting them. One talkinghead segment and State of the Union address later, The United States is dropping bombs on Iran. If this were a show, the audience would have a conniption just trying to keep the plotlines straight. 

With every alliance destruction, challenge failure or medical emergency of this administration, any outside spectator would think that Trump is one step closer to getting voted off the island. But, alas, at each tribal council he manages to conjure an immunity idol of some sort. Whether in the form of convoluted, extravagant new job titles or doomsday sounding military operations, Trump survives another day. He is simultaneously causing drama as a contestant and remaining untouchable as a host (as if he could even compare with Jeff Probst). 

TV show producers seek to keep their audience engaged and satisfied; their main purpose is to please the viewer. When reality TV contestants create problems or enrage its viewership to an extent, executives find a way to phase out these characters and appease the audience. Regrettably, despite ratings dropping, Trump isn’t too concerned about his numbers. He is not playing for the good of his cabinet tribe or audience of Americans. His loyalty remains to himself. 

Watching “Survivor” I couldn’t keep from drawing comparisons between this surreal competition entertainment and our own government. Comparing diplomacy with dramatic televised deceit is never a reassuring comparison to make, and yet their current connection is so overt that it begs to be commented on. 

In the show, there is at least an element of competition and accountability. When Coach made a dirty play, the other islanders took issue with him and he was forced to make amends and take redemptive action. Unlike the society on remote islands in Fiji, our own nation’s governance is more dismissive of and seemingly unaffected by any potentially reputation-tarnishing actions.

When Trump screws over an ally or takes advantage of an economic opportunity, there is no apology or mending of bonds. Instead, the internet is graced with yet another rambling Truth Social message. At this point, I might have to apply to the show just for a reprieve of all the nonsense happening in the real world.  

The moment where reality TV comes off as more just than the active government is no doubt a sobering realization. Similar to American politics, the socializing in “Survivor” entails lying and cutthroat conspiring, but it is done in a way that is at least clear to the audience and leads to vulnerability of the players at voting ceremonies. The same cannot be said for the United State’s current situation. 

Trump’s administration could take a suggestion from “Survivor” Season 50’s theme “In the Hands of the Fans” and start putting some emphasis on honestly serving and protecting its citizens. The Trump Tribe has been approved for one reboot already, and although another seems unlikely (and unconstitutional), I hope to avoid any spinoffs. 

***

This article was edited by Abigail D’Angelo.