The Evolution of Donald Trump’s Rhetoric: A Shift Towards Exclusion and Aggression
The political career of Donald Trump has indeed captured significant attention, marked by a distinctive and often controversial rhetorical style. Since he burst onto the political scene in 2015, Trump’s language has evolved dramatically, drawing interest due to its remarkably direct—even aggressive—tone.
A team of political scientists recently engaged in an extensive analysis of Trump’s speeches from his 2015 campaign through to 2024. This examination highlights a noteworthy trend: the use of violent vocabulary has sharply risen, soaring from approximately 0.6% in 2016 to an alarming 1.6% in 2024. For context, the proportion of violent words in 40 randomly selected weekly radio addresses by Barack Obama averaged around 0.79%.
From the inception of his campaign through nearly a decade, Trump’s speeches have increasingly incorporated terms related to violence and conflict. A particularly telling moment occurred in March 2024, when Trump ominously remarked about the potential for “a bloodbath for the country” if he were not reelected come November. Such language has positioned Trump’s rhetoric at levels that rival authoritarian figures, suggesting a continued shift away from the peaceful ideals typically associated with democratic discourse.
Interestingly, the rise of violent rhetoric does not seem to correlate with major external conflicts or crises. Instead, Trump has focused heavily on the theme of violent crime, particularly in urban areas, even amid declining crime rates nationwide. His vivid descriptions of “murderers, rapists, and thugs” create a narrative that fosters fear, allowing him to portray himself as the ultimate defender against these perceived threats.
As he moves away from traditional political dialogues about economic performance and public service, Trump’s rhetoric has increasingly ignored critical issues like healthcare, education, and social services. Early in his political journey, he would often address economic concerns, but as time progressed, this focus has diminished notably, reflecting a broader trend among politicians across party lines.
Moreover, Trump’s shift toward what has been termed as “exclusionary populism” is evident in his recent speeches. Initially, his language included more inclusive terms, portraying himself as a champion of the common citizen. However, this has increasingly morphed into a divisive narrative that characterizes politics as a battle between “us” and “them.”
His tendency to attack elites and media figures has become more pronounced, establishing a clear delineation between ordinary Americans and the so-called corrupt insiders. In light of this, Trump’s rhetoric merits close examination as it indicates not only his strategy but potentially foreshadows the future landscape of American politics.
As political scientists, we are compelled to recognize the implications of this kind of language. The escalation of violent and exclusionary rhetoric presents a potential shift in political engagement that could affect both the electorate and the broader democratic values that have historically held sway in American society.
#Politics #Opinion
