8 famous figures that Donald Trump compared himself to: From Mona Lisa to Nelson Mandela

8 times Donald Trump likened himself to iconic figures including Al Capone

Former President Donald Trump often comes up with a weird flex where he compares himself, particularly his legal struggles, to historical figures of the world. Speaking at campaign rallies and boasting through his Truth Social platform, the 77-year-old GOP presidential hopeful drew parallels with the struggles of some iconic personalities. Here are eight times when Trump compared himself to historical figures.

1. Nelson Mandela

South African anti-apartheid activist and former President Nelson Mandela is the latest on the list of iconic historical figures whom Trump likened himself to. It happened while he slammed Judge Juan Merchan, who oversees the hush money case against the former president, for imposing a partial gag order on him. Trump on Saturday, April 6, took to his Truth Social platform, accusing Merchan of denying his First Amendment rights, writing, "If this Partisan Hack wants to put me in the 'clink' for speaking the open and obvious TRUTH, I will gladly become a Modern Day Nelson Mandela – It will be my GREAT HONOR."

2. Richard Nixon

Trump drew parallels between his two impeachments and former President Richard Nixon's exit from office after the Watergate scandal. In a conversation with Fox News' Mark Levin in April 2023, he said the former Republican president "didn't fight" and was forced to resign from office in 1974 after the scandal. Comparing the situation with his two impeachment proceedings, Trump said Nixon had no support while "we had such great support" from people like Rep Jim Jordan and other "great fighters". The former real estate mogul twice faced impeachment trials in 2020 and 2021 during his 4-year term.

3. Elvis Presley

Speaking at an airport rally in Tupelo, Mississippi, in November 2018, Trump likened himself to the 'King of Rock and Roll' Elvis Presley, as per USA Today. Emphasizing that he did not want to seem "very conceited", he said, "Other than the blond hair, when I was growing up, they said I looked like Elvis. Can you believe it? I always considered that a great compliment." "We love Elvis, don't we?" he asked while campaigning for GOP Sen Cindy Hyde-Smith in a runoff election at Tupelo, where Elvis was born.

4. Jesus Christ

Yet another shocking remark of Trump was comparing his legal woes with the persecution of Jesus Christ, which he made during the Holy Week of 2024 when millions of Christians commemorated Christ's crucifixion. During his court hearing in the hush money case in late March, the White House hopeful shared a message on Truth Social, which was apparently sent by one of his supporters. "Received this morning—Beautiful, thank you!" he wrote, followed by the message which read, "It's ironic that Christ walked through His greatest persecution the very week they are trying to steal your property from you."

5. Abraham Lincoln

Addressing his supporters at a Commit to Caucus rally in Las Vegas, Nevada, on January 27, Trump called himself the "worst treated president" in US history than former President Abraham Lincoln. He made the choking parallel a day after a Manhattan federal jury hit him with an $83.3 million penalty over defamation charges in the lawsuit filed by writer E Jean Carrol. "In history, they say the president that was treated the worst was Abraham Lincoln, but he had the Civil War, you know, so he had a little Civil War going," Trump said, adding, "Andrew Jackson, he was treated very badly. And a few others. And I haven't seen the new list, but if I'm not number one over Abraham Lincoln, I will be very disappointed because I don't believe any president has ever been."

6. Mona Lisa

Trump once strangely likened himself to the famous Leonardo da Vinci painting Mona Lisa, as per BBC. The remarks came during an interview with Welsh-language TV channel S4C in June 2023 when the former president talked about his devoted supporters who follow him throughout the country, where he apparently implied it to the people who come to see the famous artwork. "You have people that go to the Mona Lisa – they love the Mona Lisa and they'll see it hundreds and hundreds of times and it gets better each time," Trump said.

7. Alexei Navalny

Trump did not leave behind the late Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny from his infamous comparisons. Less than a week after Navalny's death in a Russian prison on February 16, the ex-president compared it with his ongoing legal battles. In a Truth Social post where he first acknowledged the Putin critic's death, the presidential hopeful said the death made him "more and more aware of what is happening in our Country." He further argued, "It is a slow, steady progression, with CROOKED, Radical Left Politicians, Prosecutors, and Judges leading us down a path to destruction. Open Borders, Rigged Elections, and Grossly Unfair Courtroom Decisions are DESTROYING AMERICA. WE ARE A NATION IN DECLINE, A FAILING NATION! MAGA2024."

8. Al Capone

Besides the iconic figures, Trump multiple times compared himself to the infamous gang leader Al Capone. Speaking at the  Conservative Political Action Conference in February, the GOP presumptive nominee likened his four criminal indictments to the gangster. "Remember this, I've been indicted more times than Alphonse Capone, Scarface," Trump said. "If he had dinner with you and he didn't like the smile on your face - thought you were mocking him by smiling - you would be dead before you went home and said hello to your wife," he added. CNN debunked Trump's claim that Capone was indicted only once, but in reality, he was indicted at least six times.