The West Wing 25 Years On How a TV Show Shaped 6 Presidents and Ruined Our Politics

The year was 1999, and the nation was on the cusp of a new era of hope and optimism. The West Wing, a brainchild of Aaron Sorkin, premiered on September 22, captivating audiences with its fast-paced dialogue and idealistic vision of politics. Twenty-five years later, the show that infused our understanding of governance remains omnipresent, its influence evident in the campaigns of six US presidents.

Yet, as the show ages, its romance lingers, leaving lingering questions about the depth of its portrayal of politics and the consequences of idealism. The show that defined an era, seemingly inadvertently inspiring a shift in how Americans perceived their politicians, how we became adept at the walk-and-talk to the grandiose monologues promising an era of policy utopias, has also come to embody what we could have done differently.

As one examines the romance that America fell for 25 years ago, it is evident that the portrayal has given birth to a polarizing reality where Americans believe politicians must champion all solutions, no matter how far-fetched. As we struggle through political chaos, we should ponder the premise that a television show can draw, educate, sway public sentiment, instill hope, and polarize America more than ever before.