Weaponization of Words: A Rhetorical Analysis of Donald Trump

Author: Jadyn Schoenberg

Field of Study: Arts and Humanities

Program Affiliation: Source Project Research Program

Faculty Mentors: Matthew Cole

Easel: 60

Timeslot: Midday

Abstract: Historically, totalitarian regimes have derived control from violence, but today’s authoritarians utilize the weaponization of rhetoric. The new era of authoritarianism demonstrates that an aspiring authoritarian can verbally manufacture polarization, and create the crisis necessary for their ascendancy. This research focuses on U.S. President Donald Trump’s rhetoric, specifically how his language has furthered American political polarization, allowing him to unite his supporter base, while alienating the political left. The research is centered around analyzing Trump’s 2024 speeches, and existing literature on his rhetorical strategies in 2016. In these sources, Trump is widely defined as a populist demagogue due to his ability to capitalize on his supporters’ distrust in government and inherent hatred towards certain groups. Many Americans denounce the argument that Trump can erode America’s democratic institutions due to his political inexperience, but his strategic rhetoric proves that he is aware of the exploitable weaknesses of American democracy.