Yellowstone On The Ballot
One of television’s breakout phenomenons over the past several years has been the show “Yellowstone” about a family’s efforts to maintain its long-held way of life in Montana. The patriarch, John Dutton, handles matters in a way many of us wish we could—often by willing it to be so.
One of the storylines has John Dutton running for governor of Montana, so he can block development of pristine land affecting his ranch. In announcing his campaign, the Dutton character says, “I am the opposite of progress. I am the wall it bashes against, and I will not be the one who breaks.” Naturally, he wins election.
The actor who portrayed John Dutton, Kevin Costner, publicly declared himself to be a Joe Biden supporter earlier this year, and likely would not care for the comparison I’m about to make—but it’s hard not to compare the revival of Donald Trump’s political career with the ascension of the John Dutton character.
In a world full of so-called progress—boys playing girls sports, DEI, advancement based on characteristics of birth as opposed to ability—Trump portrayed himself as the wall that progress bashes against. The Dutton character has been popular in great part because we’ve been searching for a heroic figure who knows who he is and is not afraid to stand up for his beliefs. Costner-as-Dutton fills that roll.
So too with the former and future president. Just as many cheer at the TV screen when John Dutton says something we wished we’d said, same with Trump at one of his famous rallies.
The short of it is the fictional character has a determination and can-do attitude that is appealing in an era full of people afraid to say anything because it might be the wrong thing. One might say the same for the president-elect.
I cannot imagine John Dutton putting on a bright red necktie, or Donald Trump sliding into a vest with the Yellowstone ranch brand on it…and again, political views aside. But our desire for a true and unique leader might explain the popularity of each.
