Best Documentary
Divided States of America | Donald Trump’s shocking rise to power
Divided States of America is a powerful and revealing four-hour documentary from filmmaker Michael Kirk that delves into the deep political, racial, cultural, and economic fractures that shaped Barack Obama’s presidency and laid the groundwork for Donald Trump’s shocking rise to power. Through extensive interviews with White House advisors, Cabinet officials, and Congressional leaders from both parties, the film examines how Obama’s hopeful message of change and national unity collided with a bitterly divided Washington and a nation increasingly polarized by ideology, identity, and resentment.
As the country grappled with economic recovery, healthcare reform, racial injustice, and shifting demographics, partisan gridlock and media echo chambers intensified the divide. The series explores pivotal moments—from the Tea Party movement and Republican resistance to Obama’s policies, to the rise of populist anger and racial backlash that crescendoed during the 2016 election.
Divided States of America also investigates the internal crisis within the Republican Party, highlighting key turning points where fractures within the political establishment mirrored growing unrest among the American people. This documentary doesn’t just recount the events of the Obama era—it provides a comprehensive, human-centered portrait of a country struggling with its identity, and a democracy tested by division and disillusionment.
Director : Michael Kirk
Produced by Michael Kirk, Mike Wiser, Philip Bennett, Jim Gilmore, Gabrielle Schonder
Cast : Will Lyman
Published Sep 18, 2025
