By Rodney LaBruce

“In politics, stupidity is not a handicap.”
—Napoleon Bonaparte

In 2016, America made a bold and unsettling statement by electing Donald Trump. For many voters, it wasn’t about qualifications, policy knowledge, or experience. It was about disruption. He was different. He spoke without a filter, railed against the establishment, and styled himself as a truth-teller. For millions, that rawness was refreshing—finally, someone who “told it like it is.”

But over time, it became clear that the ability to dominate headlines is not the same as the ability to govern. Catchy slogans and viral moments don't translate into sound policy. We learned, or should have learned, that charisma without competence is not leadership—it's performance.

And yet, nearly a decade later, I see that same dynamic taking hold again—this time within the Democratic Party.

We now have our own version of Trump-like figures. They speak boldly. They trend online. They have the right look, the right soundbites, and they know how to work a room. They’re fighters, or so it seems. But too often, their rhetoric outpaces their results. Their visibility masks a lack of legislative victories, coalition-building, or concrete solutions. The attention they command is undeniable, but the substance behind it is often paper-thin.

We’ve entered an era where politics is consumed like reality TV. We cheer for who claps back the loudest, not who writes the most effective policy. We elevate those who “go viral,” not those who go to work. And in doing so, we’ve lowered the bar for what public service should look like.

This is not just a Republican problem. It's not just a Democratic problem. It's an American problem.

We must ask ourselves: What are the qualities we truly value in our leaders? Are we electing entertainers or public servants? Are we drawn to confidence, or are we mistaking it for competence? Do we want someone who looks the part, or someone who understands the part?

This isn’t about being anti-charisma. Inspiration matters. Communication matters. But when style becomes more important than substance, when theatrics overshadow thoughtfulness, and when tweets replace town halls—something is broken.

Let’s not make the same mistake again. Let’s choose leaders who not only speak for us—but deliver for us. Leaders who do the hard, often unglamorous work of governance. Leaders who understand that public service is not about building a brand—it’s about building a better future.

The next time you're inspired by someone's fire, ask where it's leading. Because fire alone can warm—or it can burn everything down.