Yaqeen Blog

A new, groundbreaking study from the Institute for Pointing Out Obvious Things has revealed startling similarities between President Donald Trump and legendary crime boss Don Vito Corleone from the classic movie The Godfather. Researchers, who spent weeks watching YouTube clips and eating cannoli, concluded that the two powerful figures share "like, a totally weird number of things in common."

"It's like they're brothers from different mothers, if one mother was in Queens and the other was in 1940s Sicily," explained lead researcher Dr. Anita Knuckle. "Both guys wear fancy suits, talk about respect a lot, and have a special way of asking for favors."

1. The "Respect Me" Vibe

Both Trump and Don Corleone are obsessed with "respect." Not just regular respect, but the kind where you really, really know who's boss. Don Corleone famously says, "I believe in America. America has made my fortune." And then he expects everyone to bow down. Trump, similarly, often talks about how people need to respect the presidency, respect him, and respect, well, just respect in general.

In The Godfather, if you didn't show respect, bad things happened to your horse. In Trump's world, if you didn't show respect, he'd tweet about you for three days straight, and maybe call you a "loser." Both methods, according to experts, are very effective at getting people to "get in line."

Similarities in Action:

• Don Corleone: Asks people to call him "Godfather."

• Trump: Prefers to be called "Mr. President," even after he's not.

• Don Corleone: "I'm gonna make him an offer he can't refuse."

• Trump: "We're going to win so much, you're going to get tired of winning." (Which, some say, is also an offer you can't refuse if you like winning.)

2. The "Family Business" Mentality

For Don Corleone, everything was about the family business: the Corleone Family. His sons, his consigliere (fancy word for main advisor), and even his in-laws were all part of the operation. Trump, too, ran his empire like a family business, with his kids playing big roles in his companies and then in his White House.

"It's like a family reunion where everyone has a title," said Dr. Knuckle. "Both men trusted their kids more than pretty much anyone else, even if the kids sometimes got into trouble or didn't quite understand the 'family values' perfectly."

Family Ties Comparison:

• Don Corleone: Had his son Michael take over the "legitimate" side of the business.

• Trump: Had his kids involved in his real estate and then in government roles.

• Don Corleone: Favored his quiet, strong son Michael.

• Trump: Clearly has favorite kids, and it's always super obvious.

3. The "Outside the System" Vibe

Both Trump and Don Corleone liked to operate a little bit outside the normal rules. Don Corleone built his empire by making his own rules, dealing with politicians, judges, and police by either bribing them or having some "dirt" on them. He didn't trust the system.

Trump often talked about "draining the swamp" and how the "establishment" was against him. He wasn't afraid to break traditions or ignore old ways of doing things, which drove some people crazy and made others cheer.

Ignoring the Rules:

• Don Corleone: "Friendship is everything. Friendship is more than talent. It is more than government. It is almost the equal of family." (Meaning, forget the laws, just get friends in high places.)

• Trump: Often bypassed traditional media and went straight to Twitter.

• Don Corleone: Had his own "justice system" in the neighborhood.

• Trump: Held rallies where he told supporters directly what he thought, often going around his own advisors.

4. The "Loyalty Above All" Demand

You could not work for Don Corleone if you weren't 100% loyal. If you even thought about betraying him, you might end up sleeping with the fishes. Trump also demanded extreme loyalty from his staff and anyone who worked for him. If you weren't with him 100%, you were "fired!" or called a "turncoat."

"It's like a really intense friendship bracelet club, but with way higher stakes," noted another researcher, a guy named Vinny who kept offering everyone espresso. "They both believed that if you weren't with them, you were against them. There was no middle ground."

Loyalty Tests:

• Don Corleone: Expected immediate obedience without question.

• Trump: Expected cabinet members to publicly praise him and his policies.

• Don Corleone: Gave people chances, but only so many.

• Trump: Often rehired people he'd fired if they showed enough loyalty later on.

5. The "Powerful Image" and "Symbolism"

Both men understood that image is everything. Don Corleone was always seen in perfectly tailored suits, surrounded by powerful men, holding court in his dimly lit office. His quiet power was a statement. Trump also had a very specific image: the golden towers, the fancy ties, the "Make America Great Again" hats, and the huge rallies.

They both knew how to project an image of strength and untouchable power that made their followers feel strong and their enemies feel, well, a little nervous.

Iconic Looks:

• Don Corleone: The old-world suit, the rose on the lapel, the hand gestures.

• Trump: The red tie, the "MAGA" hat, the thumbs-up, the signature rally pose.

• Don Corleone: His office was like a throne room.

• Trump: The Oval Office with him behind the Resolute Desk became a symbol.

6. The "Old School Guys" Who Hate New Stuff

Don Corleone was very traditional. He liked the old ways, disliked drugs (at first), and wanted his family to become "legitimate." He wasn't a fan of new, flashy ways of doing business that would bring unwanted attention.

Trump also often talked about "the good old days" and was critical of "political correctness" and "wokeness." He preferred things to be "great again" as they were in a past era. Both men, in their own ways, resisted changes they didn't like.

Traditional Values (Their Version):

• Don Corleone: Believed in strict hierarchy and tradition within his family.

• Trump: Often spoke about bringing back traditional American values.

• Don Corleone: Resisted the drug trade, seeing it as too messy.

• Trump: Advocated for traditional industries and often criticized global trade agreements.

7. The "Master of Negotiation"

Don Corleone was famous for his ability to negotiate. He could sit down with rival families and somehow get them to agree to his terms, usually without anyone getting hurt (at least not right away). He was a master of making people think his solution was their idea.

Trump, too, built his career as a dealmaker. He wrote a book called "The Art of the Deal" and always said he was the best at negotiating. Whether it was with other countries or with members of Congress, he believed he could get the best deal for himself (or for America, depending on who you asked).

Deal-Making Styles:

• Don Corleone: Uses subtle threats, promises of protection, and appeals to family.

• Trump: Uses public pressure, direct demands, and promises of future favors.

• Don Corleone: Rarely raised his voice; spoke softly to show power.

• Trump: Often used loud rhetoric and strong language to show dominance.

8. The "Cult of Personality"

Both men had a powerful hold over their followers. People believed in Don Corleone. They came to him for help, and they trusted him to deliver justice when the official system failed them. His people would do anything for him.

Trump also created a powerful "cult of personality." His supporters were incredibly loyal, flocking to his rallies and believing his words over almost anyone else. They saw him as their champion against a corrupt system.

Building a Following:

• Donleone: His network of loyalists stretched across New York.

• Trump: His base of supporters was incredibly dedicated and vocal.

• Don Corleone: Provided a sense of security and belonging to his community.

• Trump: Offered his followers a sense of identity and a common cause.

9. The "Always Has an Enemy" Narrative

Don Corleone always had rivals: the Tattaglias, the Barzinis, the dirty cops. He was constantly battling someone to protect his family and his turf.

Trump also constantly identified enemies: the "fake news" media, the "Deep State," other politicians, or even entire countries. He framed his battles as a fight against powerful forces trying to stop him. This made his supporters feel like they were part of an important struggle.

Defining the Opposition:

• Don Corleone: Identified clear threats to his power and business.

• Trump: Consistently named opponents who were "against him" and "against America."

• Don Corleone: His power grew from defeating his rivals.

• Trump: His rallies often focused on criticizing and demonizing his perceived enemies.

10. The "Retirement" (But Not Really) Phase

At the end of his career, Don Corleone tried to step back, handing over the reins to his son Michael. He moved to the garden, made wine, and played with his grandchildren. But even in "retirement," his influence was still everywhere, and Michael constantly sought his advice.

Trump, after leaving the White House, also tried to give the appearance of stepping back, moving to Mar-a-Lago. But just like the Don, his presence was still huge. He continued to hold rallies, issue statements, and influence his party, making it clear he wasn't really "retired" at all. He just changed his office location.

The Never-Ending Influence:

• Don Corleone: His advice was sought even when he was officially retired.

• Trump: Continued to be a dominant figure in politics after leaving office.

• Don Corleone: Died quietly in his garden, but his legacy lived on fiercely.

• Trump: Continues to be a central, loud figure, making sure his legacy is not forgotten.

CONCLUSION: What Does It All Mean?

So, what does this groundbreaking, totally serious research tell us? It means that whether you're running a crime family in New York or a country from Washington D.C., some things just stay the same. Power, loyalty, family, and a really good suit will always be important.

"It's just two guys who really, really wanted to be in charge," summed up Dr. Knuckle, taking a bite of a perfectly baked cannoli. "And they both got what they wanted, in their own special way. The only real difference is one had horses, and the other had Twitter."

And with that, the Institute for Pointing Out Obvious Things declared their research complete, probably going back to watch more movies and eat more desserts.

To explain the "Deep State" in 2026, we have to look at it like a giant iceberg. The part you see above the water is the President, Congress, and the news. But underneath the water, there is a huge, heavy base that stays there no matter who is steering the boat.

What Exactly is the "Deep State"?

The term "Deep State" is used to describe a group of people who work for the government but weren't elected by voters. These aren't just a few people; it’s a massive network of millions of employees, like people in the FBI, the CIA, the military, and even the folks who make sure your food is safe to eat at the grocery store.

The idea is that because these people keep their jobs even when a new President is elected, they have a lot of power to slow down or change what the "boss" (the President) wants to do.

The Two Ways People See It

Depending on who you ask, the Deep State is either a shield or a shadow.

1. The Shield (The Professional View): Many people believe these workers are "experts." For example, if a new President wanted to do something that might be illegal or dangerous, these long-term workers use their knowledge of the law to say, "Wait, you can't do that." They see themselves as the "adults in the room" who keep the country stable.

2. The Shadow (The Conspiracy View): Other people believe these unelected workers are secretly "pulling the strings." They worry that these people have their own plans and will ignore what the voters want. If you voted for "Person A" to change the law, but the workers in the background keep things the same, people get frustrated and call it the Deep State.

Where Did the Name Come From?

The phrase actually started in a country called Turkey (they called it derin devlet). Back then, it meant a secret group of military and spy leaders who would step in and take over if they didn't like how the government was running. In the U.S., the term became really popular around 2016-2020 because politicians started using it to explain why their promises weren't happening as fast as they liked.

Is it Real?

The answer is... sort of. The "State" is definitely real: There is a permanent "Administrative State" made of experts (scientists, lawyers, and generals) who stay in their jobs for 30 or 40 years.

• The "Deep" part is the mystery: Whether they are secretly plotting together like a movie villain or just following boring office rules is what people argue about. In 2026, with AI and big data, some people are even worried about a "Digital Deep State" where computer programs make big decisions about our lives without any human being voting on it.

Key Parts of the Machine

• Intelligence Agencies: Groups like the CIA and NSA that keep secrets.

• The Military-Industrial Complex: The connection between the army and the big companies that build tanks and planes.

• Civil Servants: The regular people who work at the post office, the IRS, or the EPA.

• The "Contractor State": Private companies that get paid billions of dollars by the government to do work behind the scenes.

How it Affects You in 2026

In your world today, the Deep State isn't just about old men in suits. It’s about who controls the algorithms, who decides what is "misinformation," and who keeps the lights on when the government is arguing. Understanding it helps you see that power isn't just about who wins an election—it's also about who stays in power after the election is over.

Learn More Here

• ◾ Wikipedia: Deep State in the United States

• ◾ Brookings Institution: Understanding the 'Contractor State'

• ◾ JSTOR Daily: The Turkish Origins of the Term

• ◾ The History of the Federal Civil Service