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The Conversation
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Karrin Vasby Anderson, Professor of Communication Studies, Colorado State University

Why ‘The West Wing’ went from a bipartisan hit to a polarized streaming comfort watch over 2 decades, reflecting profound shifts in media and politics

Donald Trump West Wing Martin Sheen Netflix Aaron Sorkin Allison Janney Jed Bartlet NBC Vanity Fair White House
If you're like the many viewers who have binge-watched the series multiple times, you know who all these cast members of 'The West Wing' are. James Sorensen/NBC/Newsmakers, Hulton Archive

When the early 2000s hit series “The West Wing” returned on Netflix in December 2025, it spurred conversation about how the idealistic political drama would play in Donald Trump’s second term.

The series features a Democratic presidential administration led by President Josiah “Jed” Bartlet, played by Martin Sheen, and his loyal White House staff negotiating political challenges with character, competence and a fair bit of humor.

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