Anyone who has been paying attention to pop culture within the last year surely has come across two phenomenal conversation starters: the 2016 election, as well as Hamilton. Lin-Manuel Miranda’s new musical has become extremely popular due to its innovative combination of politics and rap. The show is centered around the life of Alexander Hamilton and his treacherous rise to fame in the US government. While Hamilton takes place in the post-revolution era of American history, its captivating story and outstanding song lyrics incorporate a handful of themes that are present in the 2016 battle for presidency between Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton.
1. “There’s a million things I haven’t done, but just you wait.”
First rule of running for any leadership position: list everything you want to accomplish. Most likely, the candidates will never fulfill their many promises; however, their platforms require grandiose ambitions. Both parties have proposed ideas and laws that they aim to pass in order to win favor of the public.
2. “Talk less. Smile more. Don’t let them know what you’re against or what you’re for.”
Aaron Burr accurately portrays the campaigning tactics of 2016. As seen in the latest presidential campaigns and debates, neither Clinton nor Trump are particularly forthcoming in regards to political controversies. Both try to cover up the scandals of their pasts, yet don’t go in to much detail on their plans for the future.
3. “I am not throwing away my shot.”
Well, they made it this far. There’s no doubt that our two candidates are extremely determined to beat their opponent and win this election. Both Clinton and Trump have put a lot of effort and money into their campaigns. Neither is backing down from this opportunity until reaching victory.
4. “He changes the game. He plays and he raises the stakes. . . He has something to prove. He has nothing to lose.”
Throughout the musical, Hamilton is desperately working to establish a name for himself in national politics; he becomes willing to do anything to accomplish success. Similarly, the candidates of 2016 both work relentlessly to win this election. Both want to prove their ideas and win this election, no matter what it takes to get there.
5. “Why do you assume you’re the smartest in the room? Soon that attitude may be your doom.”
The 2016 election is not just a political competition, but also a personal rivalry. Clinton and Trump despise each other and don’t hesitate to show their distaste during the debates. Both candidates believe themselves to be the superior potential president. However, the resulting sass never fails to entertain America.
6. “But they don’t have a plan, they just hate mine!”
Miranda’s iconic lyrics perfectly describe modern politics. While our two presidential candidates have built their own party platforms, Clinton and Trump are quick to attack and accuse one another in order to turn the attention away from themselves. There’s no need to make up fresh ideas because it’s much easier to point out the flaws of their opponent.
7. “You don’t win unless you play in the game. You get love for it. You get hate for it.”
The journey to becoming president is a strategic game. Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump are two rival team captains and the only thing preventing the other from victory. At this point, neither can worry about their volume of haters and fans because in order to vote, Americans have to take a side. They’ve played their parts and worked their plays; now it’s time to see if their game paid off.
Although Hamilton is set over two hundred years ago, the show has become insanely popular because Americans everywhere can relate to the entertaining, yet scandalous fight of politics. The 2016 election will make history just like the very first voting election of our country.
