The Authoritarian Appeal: Trump’s Rhetoric as an Autocratizing Force

Author: Chloe Deshaies

Field of Study: Undeclared

Program Affiliation: Source Project Research Program

Faculty Mentors: Matthew Cole

Easel: 39

Timeslot: Afternoon

Abstract: The election of Donald Trump as president in 2016, and his subsequent reelection in 2024, marked a shift towards authoritarianism in the US. This study analyzes the effectiveness behind Trump’s distinct rhetorical style, which has amassed a large and devoted following and allowed him to implement increasingly authoritarian policies. Through analyzing primary sources such as speeches, social media posts, and interviews, this study will examine Trump’s rhetoric over the course of his political career. Significant findings include a categorization of the rhetorical strategies that have the most psychological appeal, as well as a list of the issues that Trump’s discourse emphasizes the most. These findings will allow democratic leaders to adapt their rhetoric and policies in a way that more effectively combats autocratizing forces, especially in primarily democratic countries.