The Leader’s Aura: Paolo Gerbaudo launches CTRP Seminar Series

On Wednesday, 14th October 2026 we hosted Dr Paolo Gerbaudo for the first event in our Communication Technology and Radical Politics Series. In front of a full house, he delivered a fascinating talk about what happens to leadership when it turns into constant charismatic performance and a desperate chase for TikTok aura.

Exemplified by leftwing figures such as Zohran Mamdani in the US, Andy Burnham in the UK, and rightwing figures such as Javier Milei in Argentina and Abelardo de la Espriella in Colombia, he spoke to his audience about what politicians are striving hard to manufacture when they dedicate significant time to broadcasting their personas, revealing their private life the “backstage” of public addresses: trust – a resource that is extremely scarce in contemporary politics:

In this context, “farming aura” – accumulating charisma through online performances – becomes a means for politicians to project themselves as both capable and credible, as magnetic leaders capable of inspiring voters, and loyal representatives of their constituents. Certainly, this is not a long-term or structural solution to the chronic crisis of confidence in politics. But this trend is at least a reminder that democratic politics always involves winning over people’s trust and theatrical ability in public performance – and that this tendency is especially relevant at a time when charismatic-plebiscitary leadership is on the rise and is mediated by “vertical video” with the accompanying illusion of a “digital eye-contact” between leaders and their supporters.

The CGHR Team are very grateful to Paolo for delivering such a successful launch event!