Lessons Storytellers Learn From the Trump/Zelenskyy Clash

I always find it interesting when news items elicit an emotional response. And this last week has had some almighty big ones. It peaked with the raucouse White House meeting between Trump and Zelenskyy. Here are the lessons storytellers can learn from the Trump/Zelenskyy White House Clash.

In case you missed it, here is the recording of the entire 48 minute clash:

1. Power, Pressure, and the Moral High Ground

What Happened

One of the core issues in the Trump/Zelenskyy episode was the idea of wielding political power to exert pressure on a weaker party, in this case, Ukraine, which relies heavily on U.S. support. Observers questioned whether or not it was appropriate (or moral) for a more powerful figure to leverage their authority for personal or political favours.

Lessons for Storytellers

• Show unequal power dynamics and how they can tempt those in power to push moral boundaries.
• Highlight the responsibility that comes with greater power, especially in the public eye.
• Explore how external pressures can warp someone’s moral compass—how desperation or fear leads to compromise.

Movie Example: “The Godfather” (1972)

• In Francis Ford Coppola’s classic, Don Corleone’s position of power allows him to apply subtle (and sometimes not-so-subtle) pressure to get what he wants. The film illustrates how individuals in positions of authority can manipulate moral and ethical lines.
• Storytellers can mirror this approach: showing how even a slight imbalance of power can shift a relationship from collaboration to coercion.

2. The Morality of Hidden (or Conflicting) Agendas

What Happened

Allegations surrounding phone calls and withheld aid highlighted the possibility of hidden agendas – priorities unspoken in official statements but strongly influencing the behavior of those involved.

Lessons for Storytellers

• Emphasise layers of intention: a character’s surface explanation may mask deeper self-interest.
• Use foreshadowing or hints to clue the audience into the hidden motives before they are revealed.
• Show how secrets and manipulations can unravel relationships—or entire institutions—when they come to light.

Movie Example: “Chinatown” (1974)

• In “Chinatown,” every character’s motivation is more complex than it initially seems, leading to a web of lies and manipulations.
• Much like the Trump/Zelenskyy situation, the real story is in piecing together clues about who truly benefits from certain actions.

3. The Importance of Transparency and Accountability

What Happened

The controversy grew more intense when details of the phone call came to light, and questions arose about what was said, why it was said, and whether it was appropriate. The process illuminated how vital transparency is in maintaining public trust, especially when dealing with high-stakes politics.

Lessons for Storytellers

• Show how withholding or obscuring information corrodes trust within institutions and among characters.
• Use a “trail of evidence” framework—leaked documents, overheard conversations—to heighten the drama of a story.
• Demonstrate that even if a person in power believes they can keep secrets, accountability has a way of catching up to them.

Movie Example: “All the President’s Men” (1976)

• This film explores the investigation into the Watergate scandal, illustrating the dogged pursuit of truth by reporters and the moral hazards faced by those who try to hide wrongdoing.
• Storytellers can echo this sense of tension and suspense when depicting investigations or revelations in their narratives.

4. Personal Ambition Versus Public Responsibility

What Happened

The Trump/Zelenskyy situation brought to the forefront questions about personal political gain versus the broader responsibility to act in the best interest of the public or international allies.

Lessons for Storytellers

• Build conflict around a character caught between their personal ambition and a duty to others.
• Show the repercussions when personal agendas undermine one’s official obligations: loss of credibility, public backlash, or betrayal of allies.
• Use supporting characters or external events to test the protagonist’s loyalty and highlight the moral fork in the road.

Movie Example: “Mr. Smith Goes to Washington” (1939)

• Jefferson Smith is torn between his ideals and the corrupt political system he encounters. Although the stakes differ greatly from the Trump/Zelenskyy scenario, both center on whether an official can stay true to a moral code when personal or political pressures mount.

5. The Role of Public Perception and Media Narratives

What Happened

Throughout the impeachment process and broader controversy, a key component was how different parties framed (or spun) events—both in traditional media and on social platforms. This “narrative battle” shaped public opinion and political outcomes.

Lessons for Storytellers

• Show how multiple competing narratives can create confusion and conflict.
• Highlight how media coverage or rumor can amplify or distort certain truths.
• Emphasise that the winner in a public perception battle often isn’t who is most ethical but who shapes the narrative most effectively.

Movie Example: “Wag the Dog” (1997)

• This satire focuses on a fabricated war to distract the public from a presidential scandal, showcasing how swiftly and dramatically a story can be shaped and sold to the masses.
• Writers can draw parallels: depict how rapidly shifting narratives can overshadow core truths and shape broader public morality.

Fade Out

From the “Trump/Zelenskyy fight,” storytellers can learn how power, ambition, hidden agendas, and narrative control converge to test ethical boundaries. By weaving these themes into their own stories—whether political thrillers, epic dramas, or grounded character studies—writers can create more nuanced and morally resonant narratives. Movies like The Godfather, Chinatown, All the President’s Men, Mr. Smith Goes to Washington, and Wag the Dog show how these moral tensions can play out powerfully on screen. They remind storytellers of an essential truth: it isn’t just who wields power that matters, but also how they choose to use it—and at what moral cost.

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