‘Sopranos’ Characters Would “Probably” Support Trump, Says Michael Imperioli

Michael Imperioli, the actor best known for his role as Christopher Moltisanti in HBO’s acclaimed drama The Sopranos, believes that many of the show’s characters would likely be supporters of Donald Trump if the series were set in the current political climate. Imperioli discussed this perspective, linking it to the immigrant experience central to the show’s themes.

Immigrant Roots and Political Alignment

“The show is about the American dream, especially through the eyes of immigrants,” Imperioli told The Independent. “I reckon that would be one of the big themes if it was made today: the current climate in the US and what they’re doing to immigrants. The fact is that these characters are all immigrants, but I think a lot of them would probably be Trump supporters, oddly enough. So how do they reconcile those things?”

Imperioli pointed out that many Italian immigrants, like the characters in The Sopranos, arrived in the United States undocumented. He noted that this historical context might contribute to a surprising political alignment. “When Italians came over – and people forget this, or they don’t desire to see it – a lot of them were undocumented,” he said.

Creator David Chase’s View

Although Imperioli suggests a potential for Trump support among the characters, the show’s creator, David Chase, offered a different perspective. In a 2019 interview with The New York Times, Chase stated that Tony Soprano, the show’s protagonist, would likely view Trump as disingenuous.

“He would think the guy was full of [expletive],” Chase said. “Whether he thought he was a excellent president or not — I don’t know that Tony thought much about that question at all, with anybody who was in office. But I know Tony would have thought Trump was penny-ante, in terms of his lying and presentation.”

The Sopranos Legacy

The Sopranos, which aired on HBO from 1999 to 2007, remains one of the most highly regarded television dramas in history. The show spanned six seasons and 86 episodes, earning a total of 21 Emmy Awards, including three for lead actor James Gandolfini. Michael Imperioli received four Emmy nominations for his supporting role, winning once. Recent discussions have revisited the show’s themes in light of contemporary political issues.