Yesterday, I saw a quote from Tolkien on Facebook and I strongly felt it had something to say about today’s situation, particularly the uncertainty following President Trump.
Driven by curiosity and a desire to know more, I asked ChatGPT** to write an essay about possible similarities between Tolkien’s World and our time. Here is the result:
There are striking similarities between Tolkien’s universe and today’s world, particularly when examining power struggles, corruption, propaganda, environmental destruction, and the resilience of ordinary people. While The Lord of the Rings is a fantasy, Tolkien’s themes are deeply rooted in real-world history, war, and human nature, making them timeless.
Mordor under Sauron is a place of absolute control, surveillance, and totalitarian rule. In today’s world, we see governments increasing their control through surveillance, propaganda, and suppression of dissent, whether in China, Russia, or North Korea. The Eye of Sauron is a fitting symbol for modern surveillance states, where constant monitoring, censorship, and digital tracking resemble Sauron’s omnipresent watch over Middle-earth. Edward Snowden’s NSA revelations exposed how governments collect vast amounts of data on citizens through mass surveillance, secret court orders, and sophisticated tracking technologies—methods eerily similar to Sauron’s all-seeing eye relentlessly scanning for the Ring. Just as Sauron seeks to locate and control those who resist him, modern surveillance states employ data collection, digital monitoring, and algorithmic analysis to track dissent and shape public behavior.
Saruman, in contrast, represents the destruction of nature in the pursuit of power, cutting down Fangorn Forest to fuel his war machine. His actions mirror real-world issues such as deforestation, pollution, and corporate greed. Climate activists often compare large corporations, the fossil fuel industry, and unchecked deforestation to modern-day Sarumans—willing to sacrifice the planet for short-term gain. In Tolkien’s world, Treebeard and the Ents symbolize environmental resistance, much like today’s activists fighting against ecological destruction.
The One Ring itself represents ultimate power, but its defining characteristic is its ability to corrupt all who try to wield it. Many modern political leaders fall into this trap, obsessed with power and bending institutions to their will. Some, like Trump, Putin, and Xi Jinping, are fixated on consolidating control, while others, such as influential tech figures, have built digital empires with immense influence over society. The story of Boromir serves as a cautionary tale for leaders who begin with noble intentions but are ultimately consumed by their desire for power.
Sauron’s strength lies not just in military force but also in his ability to spread fear and deception, turning people against one another. His power manifests through misinformation—today’s equivalent being conspiracy theories, AI deepfakes, and media manipulation. Social media algorithms, rather than fostering discourse, often amplify division, much like Sauron’s whispers poisoning the minds of men. Platforms such as X, Facebook, and YouTube shape political discourse, often favoring extreme content that feeds polarization. State-controlled media in countries like Russia and China further reinforce narratives that serve their leaders’ interests, perpetuating a cycle of control through propaganda.
However, Tolkien’s core message is that ordinary people can change history. Frodo and Sam, two seemingly insignificant individuals, undertake a task that no great warrior could accomplish. Their story mirrors that of modern activists and truth-seekers. Environmentalists fight against industrial destruction just as the Ents rise against Isengard. Whistleblowers carry dangerous truths into a world that does not want to hear them, much like Frodo struggling under the burden of the Ring. The resistance in Ukraine against Russian aggression bears a resemblance to the Free Peoples of Middle-earth standing against Sauron—a small nation defying the overwhelming force of an empire. In Tolkien’s world, countless people are forced to flee their homes due to war and destruction, a reality mirrored in today’s refugee crises, whether caused by war, climate disasters, or persecution.
If we extend The Lord of the Rings metaphor to Trump, his role in this landscape can be interpreted in multiple ways. In many respects, he resembles Saruman—a powerful, independent leader who became obsessed with power and ultimately aligned himself with darker forces, believing he could manipulate them to his advantage. Trump challenged the existing system but embraced deception, division, and self-interest. He surrounded himself with loyalists and opportunists, much like Saruman’s army of Uruk-hai, and convinced himself he could outmaneuver “the system.” Instead, he became an agent of chaos, deepening societal divisions. Yet, just as Saruman was ultimately discarded by Sauron—outplayed by the very forces he sought to control—Trump, too, may find that he has unleashed forces beyond his control.
If Trump is Saruman, then the real question is: Who is Sauron? Is it the system of entrenched power itself—an invisible yet omnipresent force that thrives on division and misinformation? Or is it a more tangible entity, such as authoritarian regimes and global elites manipulating events behind the scenes? Perhaps Sauron is not a single person but a collective of interests, bound together by their pursuit of dominance. The answer may not be simple, but the question remains essential.
Another comparison places Trump in the role of the Mouth of Sauron, a messenger of darkness who spreads lies and twists reality to manipulate people. Trump reshaped political discourse, making conspiracy theories mainstream. He thrives on deception, using misinformation as a tool, and his influence extends beyond himself. Even if he disappears from the political stage, the ideology he promoted lingers, much like the Mouth of Sauron continued to speak on behalf of his master even when the battle was nearly lost. If Trump represents this figure, then the true Sauron in today’s world is the deeper system of corruption, oligarchy, and disinformation that underpins the political and economic landscape.
Trump can also be compared to Gollum, a fallen figure consumed by an obsession with power. Gollum was once Sméagol, an ordinary being, but his fixation on the Ring transformed him into a creature driven by greed and paranoia. Similarly, Trump, once a businessman, became engrossed in the pursuit of influence and control, allowing his ego and ambitions to dictate his actions. His demand for absolute loyalty and erratic behavior mirror Gollum’s split personality—one moment charming and persuasive, the next vengeful and overly suspicious. Just as Gollum repeatedly insists that the Ring is his, Trump fixates on the notion that he alone deserves power, refusing to acknowledge defeat. If Trump is Gollum, then the Ring is power itself, and his downfall may ultimately stem from his inability to relinquish it.
In The Lord of the Rings, Sauron appears invincible, but he is ultimately defeated not by military might alone, but by the courage of ordinary people who refuse to succumb to darkness. If we are indeed living in an Age of Sauron, then the real question is not just whether Trump—or any other leader—has aligned with the forces of corruption, but rather: Who are our modern-day Frodos, Aragorns, and Gandalfs? Is there a “Samwise Gamgee” among us, someone who remains steadfast in loyalty and truth? Will division and darkness consume everything, or can people resist?
Gandalf’s response to Frodo may be the most fitting answer:
“All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given us.”
Tolkien himself survived World War I and witnessed the rise of fascism—experiences that profoundly shaped his worldview. The horrors of trench warfare at the Battle of the Somme and the political turmoil of the 20th century deeply influenced his depiction of conflict, resilience, and the corrupting nature of power. His books were not just fantasy but also reflections on the endurance of the human spirit in the face of tyranny—a warning, but also a message of hope. As Gandalf reminds us, “Even the smallest person can change the course of the future.” The real question now is: Will we?
**I have been following AI development for a few months and use ChatGPT for inputs, and OpenArt for illustrations. My contribution as a writer in this piece is limited to the introduction. Of course, I could have made the text my own by conducting more critical research, delving deeper into the subject, and adopting a more personal style. However, I felt that wasn’t necessary in this case. ChatGPT has advanced to the point where, upon my first reading, I was intrigued by the result and wanted to showcase how functional AI has become as an article writer in areas where it possesses extensive knowledge. I am not a Tolkien expert, so I leave it to those more knowledgeable to judge how successful this experiment truly is.
