Often political leaders at the top need to maintain some diplomatic composure and have the privilege to leave their dirty fights to subordinates. As a result we often don’t realize how much of an asshole these leaders actually are. A good test is to check what they allow (or encourage) their lower ranked allies to get away with.
When I think of political leaders openly “acting like assholes” in public, examples that come to mind include Mr. Trump’s conduct in rallies and on social media, Chris Christie’s “Bridgegate”, and the like.
Are there other specific examples you’re thinking of?
Yes, I see what you mean. I guess we’re increasingly living in a time when top political leaders do not necessarily need (or take pride in distancing themselves from) the more traditional decorum of power.