The Enneagram of 2024 Presidential Politics
Kamala Harris as a Social 721 and Donald Trump as a Self-Preservation 837
As the 2024 U.S. presidential campaign looms, we thought it might be interesting to delve into the Enneagram of it all, particularly the types of Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump. Both candidates have provided us, typology junkies, with a fascinating window into their leadership styles and public personas. After extensive research of both candidates’ speeches, interviews, and publicly available data, we can confidently type Harris as a Social 721 ("The Visionary Mentor") and Trump as a Self-Preservation 837 ("The Power Broker"). Both candidates embody two very different approaches to power, connection, and influence, shaped by the underlying motivations of their Enneagram types, Trifixes, and instinctual types.
Kamala Harris: Social 721 – The Visionary Mentor
Kamala Harris, a Social 721, is naturally positioned as a leader who seeks to bring optimism and hope to the forefront of her campaign. This Trifix, which we’ve named "The Visionary Mentor," combines the enthusiastic, forward-looking energy of the Seven, the relational warmth and support of the Two, and the ethical grounding of the One. Social Sevens, as described in The Essential Enneagram Guide, "engage with the social world to ensure that their positive energy is contagious, creating a shared vision of a brighter future" (p. 96). Harris channels this outward focus, presenting herself as a leader who can unite people through charm, optimism, and strategic vision for a better America, all within a solid ethical and ideological framework.
Harris’s ability to mentor and emotionally uplift others is primarily driven by the intersection of the Two and the Seven in her Trifix, mingling with her social instinct. Both types emphasize the desire to connect, support, and serve and want to keep the focus on positive, upbeat, and productive relating. In her speeches and public appearances, Harris often emphasizes inclusivity, fairness, empathy, and the collective need to move forward and “take care of each other.” The focus on forward momentum is a hallmark of the Seven, whose energetic focus on the future keeps them moving toward a future ideal. The One in her Trifix brings a sense of moral clarity, integrity to her messaging, and an occasionally strident and even teacher-like parental quality. She positions herself not only as someone who wants to achieve results but as a leader who stands firmly for justice, order, and systemic reform, aligning with her broader ideals of an ideal future.
Combining Seven and One creates a feedback loop of idealism and pragmatism, where Harris’ vision for the future is consistently grounded in her strong ethical convictions. The Social instinct further enhances this dynamic by focusing on decorum, appropriateness, and orientation toward the greater good from the perspective of her social ideals. Thus, Harris appears disciplined, moral, and focused, more so than other Sevens who might prioritize spontaneity, variety, or exploration over grounded ideals.
Research has shown that those who seek power often have a fair degree of potentiality toward narcissism or at least higher narcissistic traits (if not the personality disorder itself). So, it’s worth exploring the narcissistic variation of the two candidates to offer a balanced perspective. While Harris has yet to publicly demonstrate notably narcissistic characteristics, If Harris were to reveal more narcissistic traits, she might lean into the “Gleeful Charlatan” archetype. The narcissistic subtype of the Social Seven, described in The Narcissist in You and Everyone Else, manifests as a person who uses their charm and charisma to manipulate others, presenting themselves as more altruistic than they genuinely are (p. 288). The Gleeful Charlatan focuses on maintaining a positive image while subtly promoting self-interest. Though Harris has consistently leaned into her visionary leadership and relational focus, this potential shadow is always possible for a Social Seven navigating power at the highest levels.
Tim Walz: The Social 629 – The Do-Gooder
Tim Walz, a Social 629*, is, in many ways, the perfect enneagramatic complement to Harris. His Trifix, which we’ve labeled "The Do-Gooder," is a blend of the loyalty and anxiety of the Six, the supportiveness and relational focus of the Two, and the peace-seeking, conflict-avoidant tendencies of the Nine. As a Social 629, Walz is driven by a deep desire to support others and create harmony in his relationships and community.
Being a Social Six makes Walz a loyalty-focused and vigilant leader who is invested in the well-being of the people around him as a form of security. He appears grounded in his commitment to safety (both physical and emotional) and trustworthiness. The Two in his Trifix enhances his supportiveness by increasing his need to provide emotional support to others and seeking to develop meaningful connections through mentorship, advice, and guidance, ensuring that his leadership style prioritizes service and care. The Nine amplifies his desire for peace and avoidance of conflict, often leading him to prefer a collaborative, joking, light, or passive-aggressive style of attack in debates and public appearances when asked to criticize his opponents. The Nine also helps Walz appear as the most relatable of the 2024 Presidential players.
However, Walz’s reluctance to confront can sometimes be a liability. Walz’s debate performance was a reminder of this trifix’s preference for avoiding harsh criticism or opportunities to “prosecute” the case against his opponents like JD Vance or Donald Trump. Walz often sought common ground rather than going on the attack, reflecting his trifix’s desire to maintain relational harmony. This instinct makes him more likely to relate to others rather than alienate them, sharply contrasting with Trump’s more aggressive style. Additionally, we can contrast this with Harris’ ability to switch from the upbeat style of the Seven to the “predatory” and more strident, assertive nature of the Seven’s ego structure.
Despite his conflict-avoidant nature, Walz can still step into an assertive role when necessary, especially when defending his allies or advocating for causes he’s loyal to. In the media, he has demonstrated that he can be an effective “attack dog” for Harris; like many Social Sixes, he seems more comfortable standing up for her policies and defending their campaign’s message. This reflects the social Six’s tendency to thrive when there’s a community or group interest to defend. However, he does so in a more measured, diplomatic way than Trump.
Walz’s calm, steady presence brings an endearing relatability and levity to the campaign. His ability to connect with others, find common ground, and avoid unnecessary confrontation enhances his role as a trusted supporter and advocate, creating a sense of stability that complements Harris’ visionary leadership.
*We’re also considering Walz as a Social 639. We’ll need more time with him on the national stage.
Donald Trump: The Self-Preservation 837 – The Power Broker
Unlike Walz’s relatable approach or Harris’ focus on positivity, hope, and upliftment, Donald Trump exemplifies the dynamic, aggressive communication style of the Self-Preservation 837, "The Power Broker." This trifix blends the Eight's protective, assertive nature with the Three's strategic ambition and the Seven's adaptability. For Trump, power and control are paramount. As noted in The Essential Enneagram Guide, Self-Preservation Eights focus on "ensuring their survival and dominance, often dismissing vulnerability and weakness as irrelevant" (p. 106).
Trump’s campaign is built on projecting dominance and maintaining control. As an Eight, his primary drive is to assert power and avoid vulnerability. Thus, he positions himself as the ultimate protector, constantly framing himself as the only leader capable of securing America from internal and external threats. This focus on strength and survival aligns with the core fears of the Self-Preservation Eight: being vulnerable or overpowered by others. This is also likely what fuels the appeal of his leadership style, particularly to those who feel a strong, unapologetic leader will protect their interest and safety.
Many mistype Trump as a Three due to his image-focused, success-oriented persona. However, while Trump certainly cares about success, power and control drive him. Where a Three would adjust their behavior to maintain a positive image, particularly in the face of media scrutiny, Trump’s aggressive, often confrontational style shows his true Eight nature—unconcerned with how his actions might be perceived as long as he retains control.
Similarly, some mistype Trump as a Six because of his reactivity and heightened response to perceived threats. However, Trump lacks the core anxiety and doubt of a Six, operating instead from a calm certainty in his abilities. His confidence is unshakable, and his reactions are driven by the Eight’s desire to dominate, not by a need for security or reassurance, as would be the case for a Six.
Trump’s Narcissistic Expression: The Cynical Tyrant
Trump’s behavior aligns with the narcissistic subtype of the Self-Preservation Eight, known as the “Cynical Tyrant.” As described in The Narcissist in You and Everyone Else, this subtype is marked by a belief that power and control are the only things that matter, and any means to achieve those ends are justified (p. 309). The Cynical Tyrant "lacks any actual moral code" and prioritizes dominance at all costs, often dismissing empathy or ethical considerations as weaknesses. Trump’s campaign, with its frequent displays of aggression and refusal to admit wrongdoing, is a clear manifestation of this narcissistic variant. He frames his actions as necessary for survival, portraying himself as indispensable to the nation's well-being while viewing any dissent as a threat to his control.
The Cynical Tyrant’s relentless pursuit of power can also be seen in Trump’s refusal to show any vulnerability or acknowledge mistakes, as this would undermine his authority. This subtype’s essential defense is avoiding vulnerability at all costs, and Trump embodies this through his consistent projection of strength, even when faced with overwhelming criticism. For Trump, vulnerability signals weakness, which is the ultimate threat to an Eight and a complete impossibility as a narcissistic Eight.
JD Vance: The Social 368 – The Gladiator
For those who see Trump as a Three, JD Vance provides a more evident example of a Three. Vance exemplifies the Social 368 trifix ("The Gladiator.") This trifix combines the image-consciousness and ambition of the Three, the loyalty and need for support of the Six, and the assertiveness of the Eight. He values success, certainty, support, and strength, and his Social instinct drives him to present a powerful, respected image to his audience.
As a Social Three, Vance is naturally concerned with how he is perceived, particularly regarding success, pragmatism, and competence. While he shares the Eight’s natural confidence and desire for control, his Three influence allows him to artfully curate his public persona, balancing strength with an image of reliability, loyalty, and reliability. This makes Vance more measured in his approach than Trump’s brazen style, which provides a counterbalancing effect.
The Six in Vance’s trifix adds a layer of skepticism, intellectual agility, and concern for the group's security. 368s are known for being dutiful and fiercely protective while being the most confrontational and assertive of the Three Trifixes. Vance uses these traits to position himself as a protector of those he perceives as vulnerable or in need and the ability to position himself near or around influential people as a way to increase his social and political capital in a relatively short time. His loyalty to his base and the causes he champions tempers the Eight’s more authoritarian tendencies, making him appear more reliable and steadfast in his commitments.
As “The Gladiator,” Vance is not afraid to be combative when standing up for himself or others. Still, with Three and Six in the trifix (two relational types), it ensures that he does so in a way that maintains his image of respectability. However, this also contributes to an air of disingenuousness and can translate as overly polished or rehearsed. Vance’s social instinct makes him deeply concerned with upholding the social values, ethics, and conduct he believes would be most beneficial for the group.
In contrast to Trump’s unapologetically aggressive style, Vance is often seen as a more measured and mature expression of the campaign’s focus on aggressive strength and confidence.
Conclusion
The 2024 campaign offers a fascinating study of leadership styles and Enneagram dynamics. As a Social 721, Kamala Harris brings a visionary, inclusive approach focused on connection and ethical leadership. At the same time, Donald Trump, as a Self-Preservation 837, operates from a place of dominance, control, and power. As a Social 629, Tim Walz complements Harris by providing a calm, stabilizing force, focusing on harmony and support, in stark contrast to Trump’s aggressive, conflict-driven approach. As a Social 368, JD Vance offers a more polished, strategic form of assertive leadership, blending ambition, loyalty, and strength into a socially aware persona that balances power with an image of loyalty and success.
By understanding their Enneagram types and trifixes, we gain deeper insights into the strategies and personas of these key political figures, illuminating the motivations that drive their public behavior and leadership styles.
To register to vote or find information about polling and voting in your state, go here
References:
As a type 4/5 living in a cultural community of predominately unhealthy 6s and 9s, I would love to connect with other 4s. I came to live in this area because I lost my rent controlled apartment in San Francisco where I'd lived for 30 years. Here, I'm a round peg in a square hole in every sense of the word.
I've noticed that there is a predominance of 6s and 9s coupling up, which makes perfect sense. I've also noticed that I can peg 6s by their hands. Hard to describe.
I really enjoyed this analysis and could certainly say that it echoed my own observations. It's the perfect thing to send to a friend who isn't into The Enneagram but who is into politics. Perhaps it will encourage her to take my Enneagram comments more seriously!