"The Sopranos" Crew: Would They Support Trump?

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  Published in Politics and Government on Sunday, February 22nd 2026 at 15:04 GMT by NME
      Locale: UNITED STATES

The Sopranos Family: From Jersey Mob to MAGA Country?

Michael Imperioli, the actor who brought the volatile Christopher Moltisanti to life in HBO's iconic The Sopranos, has ignited a fascinating, if unsettling, debate: where would Tony Soprano and his crew stand in today's polarized political landscape? Imperioli believes, and articulated in a recent appearance on The Led By Render podcast (as reported by People), that the core values espoused by the characters would likely align them with Donald Trump and his supporters.

This isn't simply a matter of applying a modern political label to beloved (and feared) fictional figures. Imperioli's assessment is rooted in a deep understanding of the characters' motivations and the societal forces that shaped them. He argues that the defining traits of the Soprano crew - loyalty, a perceived strength through intimidation, a deep-seated distrust of authority, and a sense of entitlement - are precisely the qualities Trump skillfully appeals to.

The Sopranos, which ran from 1999 to 2007, presented a nuanced portrayal of the Italian-American mafia in New Jersey. While the show explored themes of family, ambition, and morality (or lack thereof), it did so within a very specific cultural and socio-political context. During the show's original run, the American political discourse was different. The War on Terror was a central focus, and while political divides existed, they didn't have the same ferocious intensity we see today.

Imperioli astutely points out that "It's a different America now," and the "political landscape has changed so much." The rise of populist rhetoric, the questioning of established institutions, and the appeal to a sense of forgotten identity have dramatically reshaped the political terrain. It's within this altered landscape that Imperioli extrapolates the likely political leanings of characters like Tony Soprano, Paulie Walnuts, and Silvio Dante.

Consider Tony Soprano himself. While presented as a complex character with moments of vulnerability and even seeking therapy, his power rested on maintaining control through fear and loyalty. He bypassed formal structures, operating outside the law and relying on a close-knit network of associates. This inherent rejection of institutional authority, coupled with his belief in his own exceptionalism and the need to 'provide' for his family (however defined), mirrors core tenets of the Trumpian appeal. Trump's constant attacks on the 'deep state' and promises to 'make America great again' resonate with a desire to restore a perceived lost order - an order built on strength and a certain amount of disregard for rules.

Paulie Walnuts, with his staunch conservatism and unwavering loyalty to Tony, appears a natural fit for the MAGA movement. His pronouncements throughout the series often reflected a traditional, even antiquated, worldview. Silvio Dante, the consigliere, embodies a different facet of this alignment. His intelligence and strategic thinking, combined with his loyalty and pragmatism, could easily translate into supporting a leader who positions himself as a strong negotiator and a breaker of norms.

Even Christopher Moltisanti, the character Imperioli portrayed, could be seen as susceptible to Trump's message. Christopher's constant struggle for validation, his ambition, and his willingness to use any means necessary to achieve his goals align with the perceived "winning" mentality often promoted by Trump. His resentment toward perceived elites and feeling 'left behind' would likely fuel support for a figure promising to disrupt the status quo.

It's crucial to note that Imperioli isn't suggesting the Sopranos characters would embrace a fully developed political ideology. They were, at their core, men motivated by self-preservation and personal gain. However, Imperioli's insight highlights how certain political appeals can exploit deeply ingrained values, even within individuals operating outside the bounds of conventional morality. The appeal isn't necessarily about policy; it's about tapping into fundamental feelings of identity, belonging, and power.

This thought experiment also raises broader questions about the cultural forces at play in contemporary America and the appeal of strongman leaders. The Sopranos offered a darkly comic and brutally honest reflection of American society. Imperioli's comments suggest that, two decades later, the underlying anxieties and values depicted in the show may be even more prevalent - and increasingly aligned with a specific political ideology.