Why Slovenian philosopher Slavoj Žižek wants Donald Trump to survive? And it's not what you think

Time of India

01-05-2025

Slavoj Žižek recently shared in an interview why he fears the rise of JD Vance over Donald Trump. While Trump's chaotic leadership may be unpredictable, Žižek argues that Vance's cold, efficient style could be far more dangerous. For Žižek, Trump's unpredictability might at least offer transparency, whereas Vance's calculated approach could hide more sinister motives.
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In an unexpected twist of philosophical discourse , Slovenian philosopher Slavoj Žižek has shared his unorthodox opinion on why he wants Donald Trump to survive the next few years in power. During an interview with UnHerd, Žižek, known for his provocative insights and unapologetic takes, raised eyebrows when he suggested that the world might actually be better off with Trump rather than his vice president, JD Vance, stepping into the Oval Office. Here's what the controversial philosopher had to say.At first glance, Žižek's comments seem like a mere joke, but knowing his signature style, there's more depth lurking beneath the surface. When asked about his thoughts on the future of American politics, Žižek didn't hold back. He boldly stated, "I'm more afraid if Trump dies, if Vance takes over. With Vance, it's terrifying coldness and so on. He is a robot." For the Slovenian thinker, Vance's calculated, emotionless political approach was more dangerous than Trump's 'brutal' style.As Žižek veered off into a larger critique of today's political landscape , his comments on the left-right dichotomy in global politics only added more intrigue to his views. With sharp sarcasm, he remarked, "If you look at the UK today, you have one big moderate right party, you call it Labour Party, no? And then you have a more crazy right, which does what one would expect from the left." His statement was more than just a political jab; it was an existential critique of how the current political systems have morphed into a paradox where the supposed 'left' has adopted some of the most extreme policies typically associated with the right.Žižek's assertion that the political spectrum itself is fractured—particularly in the context of the U.S. and U.K.—adds a layer of complexity to his reasoning. His belief that the system has grown so unpredictable that Trump's brute force may actually be the lesser of two evils is a reflection of his broader concern about the state of contemporary politics In one of his more startling admissions, Žižek shared that he plans to write a text with the title "I pray that Trump will survive the next couple of years." His rationale isn't that he endorses Trump's policies or behavior—far from it. Rather, it's that Žižek sees the possibility of a much darker political future under someone like Vance. To him, a cold, calculating leader who operates without the semblance of emotional or political spontaneity could be more detrimental to democracy than Trump's chaotic, often disorganized, form of leadership.While many would argue that Trump's unpredictability poses its own set of risks, Žižek's view on Vance's calculated coldness raises an interesting question: Is it better to have a leader whose moves are at least somewhat transparent, even if they are erratic, or one who operates with a level of chilling precision, where motives and decisions are harder to predict and understand?Slavoj Žižek, a towering figure in contemporary Marxist philosophy , is no stranger to making controversial, often provocative statements. Known for his work in cultural theory, political analysis, and psychoanalysis, Žižek has a history of delving into the darkest corners of modern thought. His critique of contemporary politics, media, and even pop culture reflects his interest in dissecting societal structures through the lens of Hegelian philosophy, Marxism, and Lacanian psychoanalysis.Žižek's thoughts on Trump and Vance are less about political allegiance and more about dissecting the very nature of power and leadership in today's world. For him, the unpredictability of a figure like Trump may at least keep the political environment somewhat transparent, while the cold efficiency of a figure like Vance could conceal deeper, more troubling intentions.In a political landscape increasingly defined by figures who seem to defy the norms of traditional governance, Žižek's reflections on Trump and Vance offer a jarring but necessary perspective. Whether you agree with his reasoning or not, his assertion that Trump's survival could be the lesser evil compared to the rise of a more calculated, robotic leader is a thought-provoking one. If nothing else, it shows how far political discourse has moved from traditional ideologies into a murky zone where human emotion and cold precision can have equally troubling consequences.As Žižek himself might say, this is no longer just about politics—it's about philosophy, power, and the unpredictable future of democracy itself.