The King of POP: Why Donald Trump Is Smiling —“Inconvenient Ideas” Reflection with Stan Hustad

In this thought-provoking edition of Inconvenient Ideas, Stan Hustad offers a 15-minute story-time reflection on power, personality, and perception — all wrapped around a provocative headline: “Donald Trump is smiling now because he’s the King of POP.” But

in Stan’s hands, POP doesn’t mean “Prince of Peace.” It means Power, Opportunity, and Personality — the currency of modern influence.

An Idea Worth Wrestling With

Broadcasting from the What It Takes Radio studio — standing tall, gesturing, and speaking with his whole body as he always does — Stan begins by reminding listeners that ideas matter. They lead to insight, insight leads to influence, and influence creates impact (and maybe even income). But to have impact, you must be willing to hold inconvenient ideas — the kind that comfort some people and discomfort others.

From there, Hustad turns to a “reality check of the moment.” As peace talks flicker across the headlines and the political stage grows restless, Donald Trump stands — figuratively and literally — smiling. Not because he’s universally loved, but because he’s managed to turn personality into power and persistence into political longevity. Whether admired or despised, Hustad argues, Trump embodies the ultimate performance principle: he knows who he is, what he wants, and how to keep the spotlight.

Politics, Power, and the Personality Principle

Stan takes listeners behind the headline with a mix of humor and humility. He points to the irony of Trump’s alliances — foes who become friends again (like Elon Musk), rivals turned partners (like Marco Rubio). He paints a picture of a man who doesn’t need to please everyone — only to keep momentum, to stay in motion, to act decisively while others argue.

As Hustad notes, this isn’t a political statement but a “statement of reality.” Leadership, like broadcasting, is performance — and the ones who understand their audience, even when the crowd boos, often end up writing the script.

Facing the Truth and Finding the Lesson

Hustad closes with a story about one of his mentors, who told him, “Always have the courage to face the truth.” That line becomes the heartbeat of the program. Whether it’s Trump’s triumph, your own business struggle, or life’s daily disappointments, success begins by seeing things as they are — not as we wish them to be.

The program ends as it began: with an invitation. Stan challenges listeners to pick up the microphone — literally or figuratively — and “story him back.” True communication, he insists, is not argument but relationship. “If I can turn a foe into a friend,” he smiles, “I might just be a prince of peace.”

Things to Remember, Share, and Do

**Remember:**
- Every great idea is inconvenient for someone.
- Power often follows personality — and the courage to stand when others sit.
- Facing the truth is the first step toward influence.

**Share:**
- This episode with anyone tired of shouting matches and hungry for genuine conversation.
- The insight that real communication creates connection, not division.

**Do:**
- Take 15 minutes to listen to the full Inconvenient Ideas program.
- Reflect on your own “POP” — your Power, Opportunity, and Personality.
- Record your own story, your own truth, and share it. Because ideas, shared wisely, can still change the world.

Produced by The What It Takes Radio Company • Inconvenient Ideas Series