DAYS Stars Reveal Who They Think Really Runs Salem. ho runs Salem? Girls! Or maybe it’s EJ DiMera. That’s what the DAYS cast thinks, among other powerful Salemites 👀💪

 

Things in Salem haven’t been exactly calm lately on Days of our Lives. Stephanie suffered PTSD from her ordeal, taking it out on Alex. Leo managed to stay true to himself, despite Dimitri’s admonishment, and worked through his thoughts and feelings with Marlena. And Javi came back, not planning to make anything easier for Leo, as Johnny braced himself for the lawsuit he’ll need to navigate at DiMera. Everyone thinks they have some semblance of control until they don’t, and that makes the show’s latest cast quiz almost perfectly timed.

Key Takeaways

• The show asked fans and cast who really runs Salem, sparking mixed answers.
• Cast responses ranged from Marlena and Paulina to EJ and even Stefano “from the grave.”
• Several stars argued that the women are the true power behind Salem.
• Others suggested no one is fully in control, despite everyone trying.
• Fans were split, most backing Marlena, EJ, or the DiMeras overall.

The Cast Has Opinions… and They’re Not Subtle

The show shared a video on its Instagram page with the caption, “In Salem, power is everything. But who is actually running things? Do you agree with these answers?” What followed wasn’t exactly a unified answer.

Greg Rikaart (Leo) kicked things off with “Not Chadwick,” before later admitting it’s “a horse race” between Paulina (Jackée Harry) and Marlena (Deidre Hall). Susan Seaforth Hayes (Julie) first threw out “Ken Corday,” the executive producer, then circled back with “when push comes to shove, Marlena.”

Linsey Godfrey (Sarah) cut through the noise with “I think the boys think they do, but it’s definitely the women,” while Sal Stowers (Lani) went full confidence mode with “I… actually run Salem.”

Fans Pick Sides… and It Gets Personal Fast

Other stars leaned into chaos, with Conner Floyd (Chad) naming “the ghost of Stefano DiMera,” Paul Telfer (Xander) simply saying “Girls,” and Harry arguing, “EJ DiMera runs Salem… he lies… he’s got money.” Meanwhile, James Reynolds (Abe) shrugged it all off with, “Everyone wants to run Salem, but nobody does.” Honestly, that might be the most accurate answer of the bunch.

The comment section jumped at the concept as one fan wrote, “Marlena is the queen!” while another countered, “EJ definitely runs Salem.” A different viewer split the difference with, “Toss up between EJ and Marlena!” which feels like the safest possible answer in a town like this.

Others leaned into the bigger picture. One follower pointed out, “The Villains run Salem creating chaos,” while another added, “Stefano runs it from the grave,” which…given Salem history, isn’t even dramatic. It’s just Tuesday.

And then there were the people who circled back to the women. “The women do,” one fan wrote, while another said, “Marlena, Julie, and Paulina—100%!!” That throughline kept popping up, the idea that even when the men think they’re steering things, the real control sits somewhere else entirely. Which, after this week? Hard to argue with.

As the debate over who truly controls Salem continues to ripple through both the cast and the fanbase, the irony isn’t lost on anyone paying attention—because just as the question gains traction, the cracks in everyone’s supposed power begin to show. In true Days of Our Lives fashion, the illusion of control is often just that: an illusion.

Take Marlena, for example. While many fans and cast members continue to crown her as the quiet force behind Salem, her recent emotional strain suggests even she isn’t immune to being overwhelmed. Between guiding others through their psychological trauma and confronting her own buried fears, Marlena’s strength is undeniable—but it’s also being tested in ways that could shake her usual composure. If she is the “queen” of Salem, then she’s a queen constantly under siege, balancing wisdom with vulnerability.

Meanwhile, EJ DiMera continues to operate like a man who believes the city is his chessboard. With Johnny’s looming legal troubles tied to DiMera Enterprises, EJ’s influence is undeniable. His wealth, connections, and willingness to bend the rules make him a formidable player. But even EJ’s grip is far from absolute. Legal complications, family tensions, and enemies lurking in every corner mean that his control could slip at any moment. After all, in Salem, power built on secrets rarely lasts forever.

And then there’s Paulina. If leadership were measured by sheer presence and determination, she’d win by a landslide. Paulina doesn’t just command attention—she demands it. Whether it’s her role in city politics or her unwavering loyalty to her family, she embodies a different kind of authority. Unlike the DiMeras’ shadowy manipulation, Paulina’s power is loud, visible, and rooted in action. But even she faces challenges that remind viewers no one in Salem operates without resistance.

Interestingly, the idea that “the women run Salem” continues to gain traction—and recent events only reinforce that perspective. Stephanie’s PTSD storyline is a prime example. While her trauma has caused friction, especially in her relationship with Alex, it has also highlighted her resilience. She’s not just reacting—she’s fighting to reclaim control over her life. And that fight, messy as it is, speaks to a deeper truth about Salem’s women: they endure, adapt, and ultimately shape the narrative in ways that often go unnoticed.

On the flip side, characters like Leo and Javi bring a different kind of chaos into the mix. Leo’s journey of self-reflection, guided by Marlena, shows that influence doesn’t always come from power plays—it can come from growth and honesty. Javi’s return, however, threatens to disrupt that progress. His presence is a reminder that in Salem, the past never stays buried, and old rivalries can quickly reignite. These smaller, more personal battles might not look like they “run the town,” but they create the ripple effects that define it.

And let’s not forget the ever-present shadow of Stefano DiMera. Even in death, his name continues to surface in conversations about control. It’s almost poetic—Salem’s most infamous patriarch still being credited with pulling strings from beyond the grave. Whether it’s through his legacy, his family, or the long-lasting consequences of his actions, Stefano’s influence lingers like a ghost that refuses to fade. In a town built on history, that kind of legacy might be the closest thing to true power.

What makes this entire debate so compelling is that there’s no clear answer—and that’s exactly the point. Salem thrives on unpredictability. One moment, someone appears to be in charge, and the next, they’re scrambling to keep up as everything falls apart. Power shifts constantly, alliances change overnight, and the line between control and chaos is always blurred.

Even Abe’s observation—that everyone wants to run Salem, but no one actually does—feels more accurate with each passing episode. Because if there’s one thing Salem proves time and time again, it’s that control is temporary. Today’s leader can become tomorrow’s victim, and the person pulling the strings can quickly find themselves tangled in them.

Fans, of course, will continue to pick sides. Some will stand firmly behind Marlena, trusting in her wisdom and moral compass. Others will back EJ and the DiMera dynasty, drawn to their power and unpredictability. And many will champion the women of Salem as the true forces driving the story forward. But perhaps the real answer lies somewhere in between.

Maybe Salem isn’t meant to be ruled by just one person.

Maybe its power comes from the constant struggle—the push and pull between characters, the clash of ambitions, the endless cycle of control gained and lost. It’s that tension that keeps the town alive, ensuring that no one ever stays on top for long.

And as new conflicts emerge—Johnny’s legal battle, Stephanie’s emotional journey, Leo and Javi’s ongoing clash—the question of who runs Salem will only become more complicated. Because in a place where secrets are currency and drama is inevitable, power isn’t something you hold onto.

It’s something you fight for… every single day.