Some scholars argue that Western societies have entered a post-heroic and post-political era in which traditional heroism and politics are being redefined. In this context, Donald Trump’s portrayal as a ‘populist superhero’ offers significant insight into the evolving political zeitgeist. Drawing on Andrea Schneiker’s concept of the populist superhero leader and Michael Butter’s analysis of Trump’s media-driven ‘heroization,’ this paper examines how Trump’s persona, shaped through anti-elite rhetoric, superhero narratives, and audience participation, legitimizes and constructs his political authority. Using visual, written, and oral sources, the analysis reveals how contemporary media culture influences political heroism, leadership, and polarization in America. The sources span the years 2014 to 2024 and encompass both Trump’s ‘self-heroization’ on the basis of his NFT trading cards as well as the heroization by his supporters based on material culture and Internet discourse. This paper asserts that Trump’s self-heroization, amplified by his supporters, exemplifies the intersection of populism, media culture, and (heroic) leadership in the twenty-first century.