Actually, authenticity is bad
We have deeply unserious leaders because we are a deeply unserious people.
I was listening to a podcast by a "Never Trump" former Republican Congressman a couple weeks ago, and when he uttered an obscenity he said people would go ahead and curse if they are being "authentic." Do not be a poser with performative cursing, but if being our authentic selves means we drop a few F bombs, then that is OK.
A couple days ago, I wrote that we should not censor common words in an effort to avoid being "offensive" or "triggering" people. I stand by that position, but this does not mean we should be totally unrestrained and undisciplined on our speech. Podcasters speaking about public policy should elevate rather than degrade the discourse. Political leaders should be statesmen and set a good example for the people under their authority.
God does not expect us to be our "authentic" selves and to live "our truth." The Apostle Paul teaches us in II Corinthians 5:17 that we are a new creature in Jesus Christ. Scripture further instructs us in Romans 12:2 to not be conformed to this world, but to be transformed by the renewing of our minds. This means we should be restrained and disciplined in our speech, and many other areas of life, as we seek to honor and obey God as well as being edifying to our friends, families and neighbors.
We have fallen into a trap where we think "authenticity" is the highest value, above decorum, civility, manners and love for our neighbors. But we should not want to look at a political leader and think "he is just like me." This leads not to actual authenticity, bur performative crudeness. We should look to a leader - especially someone in high office like a Congressman or the President - and have aspirations of being a statesman like he or she is.
We have a deeply unserious political and commentary class because we are a deeply unserious people. We are far more concerned with memes and shock-jock behavior than substantive policy. Our leaders will never be better until we as a people stop applauding bad behavior, and also stop excusing it. As long as we value antics over policy, we will never have the leaders we need. We will, unfortunately, have the leaders we deserve.