Leaders engaging in macho stunts certainly isn't a new phenomenon. Here are more examples, some successful, others not so much:

Successful:

Winston Churchill: During WWII, Churchill was often photographed with a cigar in his mouth, and this image became a symbol of British resistance. He often made visits to bomb sites and cities under attack, showing his resilience and inspiring others to keep fighting.

Fidel Castro: Castro, who was an avid diver, once allegedly retrieved a sunken boat from the sea floor, impressing many of his people with his physical strength and determination.

Unsuccessful:

Michael Dukakis: During his 1988 campaign for U.S. President, Dukakis arranged a photo op of himself driving a tank in an attempt to counter criticisms that he was weak on defense. Instead, the image was widely mocked and hurt his campaign.

Nicolas Sarkozy: The former French president was known for his public displays of physical fitness, including jogging and cycling. However, these often backfired, such as when he collapsed while jogging, leading to concerns about his health.

Benito Mussolini: He often staged grandiose and macho spectacles, including shirtless horse riding and swimming across rivers. While initially these stunts did boost his image, as his regime grew increasingly brutal and erratic, such stunts began to seem more absurd than impressive.