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Trump’s tough-guy image has been undone by his own actions | Mohamad Bazzi

The Guardian UK Monday 17 August 2026, 10:00 UTC By Mohamad Bazzi 1 min read
Key Points

The president was forced to hide in a catering truck amid the Iran war, in an encapsulation of the conflict’s failuresFor decades, Donald Trump cultivated a public image based on strength and dominance. He was a brash New York real estate mogul; a reality TV star who deployed his signature phrase: “You’re fired!” to eliminate contestants from The Apprentice; and eventually US president and undisputed leader of the Republican party.

The president was forced to hide in a catering truck amid the Iran war, in an encapsulation of the conflict’s failures

For decades, Donald Trump cultivated a public image based on strength and dominance. He was a brash New York real estate mogul; a reality TV star who deployed his signature phrase: “You’re fired!” to eliminate contestants from The Apprentice; and eventually US president and undisputed leader of the Republican party.

In recent months, Trump has taken his boastfulness to an extreme, reportedly telling confidants that he’s “the most powerful person to ever live” and comparing himself with some of history’s most feared leaders, including Genghis Khan, Napoleon, Hitler, Stalin and Mao.

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Trump (ORG) Mohamad Bazzi (PERSON) the Iran war (EVENT) Donald Trump (PERSON) New York (LOCATION) Apprentice (ORG) US (LOCATION) the Republican party (ORG) Genghis Khan (PERSON) Napoleon (PERSON) Hitler (PERSON) Stalin (PERSON) Mao (PERSON)
Originally published by The Guardian UK Read original →

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