Four years after he lost the U.S. presidential election to Joe Biden, Donald Trump is set to return to the White House after defeating Vice-President Kamala Harris.
His comeback parallels the return to prominence of Imran Khan after his own ouster from office, highlighting the commonalities shared by populist leaders in very different parts of the world.
Prior to entering politics, Trump was a real estate mogul and reality TV star, positioning himself as a political outsider. He leveraged his celebrity status and business acumen to cultivate his image as an anti-establishment candidate who would “drain the swamp” and represent the interests of ordinary Americans. Similarly, Khan entered politics after a storied career as an internationally celebrated cricket star and philanthropist. He, too, capitalized on a persona painting him as a savior from corruption and mismanagement, targeting Pakistan’s entrenched political elite.
Both leaders thrived by presenting themselves as champions of the “common man” and disruptors of established political orders. Even their approaches to governance have similar undertones, though shaped by the distinct contexts of their nations. Both Trump and Khan sought a “Country First” foreign policy, adopted impulsive decision-making, a reliance on social media for direct communication, and frequent confrontations with established institutions. They both also faced accusations of encouraging divisiveness and misinformation and can likewise claim failed “insurrections” from their respective supporters—Trump’s after the 2020 election results and Khan’s after his arrest in May 2022. These events also placed both leaders in the crosshairs, facing numerous legal investigations and charges.
For Trump, his legal woes included allegations related to his business dealings, campaign finance violations, and post-presidential conduct. In 2023 and 2024, he faced multiple indictments, including those tied to his handling of classified documents after leaving the presidency and his efforts to overturn the 2020 election results. These high-profile cases brought attention to unprecedented legal challenges for a former U.S. president, intertwining his campaign for the 2024 presidential election with ongoing courtroom appearances.
Khan, meanwhile, faced legal cases ranging from corruption allegations to political activities and even his personal life. While the most notable was his Toshakhana conviction in August 2023, the convictions that particularly incensed his supporters were those in the Iddat (“illegal marriage”) and cipher cases. The former prime minister has maintained these charges were politically motivated, accusing his opponents and state institutions of using courts to silence dissent and prevent his political resurgence. Superior courts seemingly validated him through acquittals in the Iddat and cipher cases and suspension of his sentencing in the Toshakhana case.
Both leaders have worn their legal challenges as a badge of pride, with Trump using them to solidify his image as a combative leader who stands against the “deep state” and perceived establishment forces. Khan, similarly, has used the cases against him to advance a narrative of a populist fighting against a corrupt political and military establishment. A key rallying point for supporters of both politicians was their attempted assassinations; Trump during a campaign rally and Khan a protest against the government.
In both cases, events that would be a death knell for most traditional politicians proved a rallying cry for supporters of Trump and Khan. Neither faded quietly after his removal, with protests and campaigns against the perceived injustices of their political rivals keeping them at the center of the national conversation in their respective countries. They both exemplify how populist leaders can galvanize support by tapping into deep-seated public discontent with the status quo. Through their shared reliance on charisma, media savvy, and outsider status, they have reshaped the political landscapes in Pakistan and the United States—for better or worse.