Donald Trump Is Archie Bunker

Once upon a time, there was a loud-mouthed bigot on television. He proudly announced his disdain and mistrust of people who weren't from his particular ethnicity. If people disagreed with him, he called them derogatory names. He'd speak his mind, though he would rarely think about what he was going to say before he said it. He was loved by many, and hated by many.

His name was Archie Bunker.

Today there is a loud-mouthed bigot on television. He proudly announces his disdain and mistrust of people who aren't from his particular ethnicity. If people disagree with him, he calls them derogatory names. He speaks his mind, though he rarely thinks about what he is going to say before he says it. He is loved by many, and hated by many.

His name is Donald Trump.

In January of 1971, CBS aired the first episode of All In the Family. It was a half-hour comedy centered around an outspoken, abrasive man named Archie Bunker; his generally submissive wife, Edith; their daughter, Gloria; and her liberal husband, Michael.

The show was successful right out of the gate. All In the Family was the highest rated show on television for each of its first five seasons. And that success was mostly due to the character of Archie Bunker, played by actor Carroll O'Connor.

They even put out an album of songs sung by the characters of Archie and Edith! (Yes, it's pretty awful.)
(Thankfully, Donald Trump has not put out an album.) (Yet.) (That I know of.)
(Of course, he has put out Trump the Book, Trump the Game, Trump Steaks, Trump Wine, Trump University, and Trump Towers, so can an album of him singing really be far behind?)

Many people were surprised by the success of the show. They couldn't understand how so many people could be fans of a character who was so obviously flawed. Some people enjoyed Archie at face value, agreeing with the character's outspoken views. Others enjoyed Archie not as a character but as a caricature; an almost cartoon-like embodiment of outdated thinking.

But, whatever you think of him, the similarities between Archie Bunker and Donald Trump are striking. Let's take a look:


Archie Bunker 1. Says what he thinks (with hardly any filter.)
Donald Trump 1. Says what he thinks (with hardly any filter.)

Archie 2. Bigot (distrusts non-whites.)
Donald 2. Bigot (distrusts Mexicans and Muslims.)

Archie 3. Frequently calls others by derogatory nicknames, like "Meathead" and "Dingbat."
Donald 3. Frequently calls others by derogatory nicknames, like "Lyin' Ted" and "Crooked Hillary."

Archie 4. Sexist (often tells his wife to "stifle" herself.)
Donald 4. Sexist (has said some unflattering things about women.)

Archie 5. Very popular (show #1 in television ratings for five straight years.)
Donald 5. Very popular (has large lead in delegate count in Republican primaries.)

Archie 6. Also very unpopular (many worried that show might encourage those who held similar misguided views as Archie.)
Donald 6. Also very unpopular (many worried what he might do if actually elected President.)

But, despite all of the similarities between them, there is one big difference between Archie Bunker and Donald Trump:

Archie Bunker: A fictional character.
Donald Trump: An actual, real person who is attempting to be elected as President of the United States of America. For real.

So, here we are, with Donald Trump as a legitimate candidate for President. Are we insane? What exactly are we thinking? Can you imagine the people during the run of All In the Family even considering to vote Archie Bunker for President? (Of course, those people did elect Richard Nixon and Jimmy Carter...)

But still, I can't picture a world in which Archie Bunker would be elected President. And I can't picture a world in which Donald Trump will be elected, either. (I hope I'm right.)