The structure and danger of Donald Trump's demagogic rhetoric.

What is it about?

As a candidate in 2016, Trump spoke and behaved unlike his rivals. He discharged a daily deluge of vile speech. His demeanor was vulgar, not presidential, and yet he won. I offer an explanation of why this demagogic behavior contributed to his victory. I also describe his only seemingly erratic language, and offer a warning about the rhetorical power of his speech.

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Photo by Jon Tyson on Unsplash

Photo by Jon Tyson on Unsplash

Why is it important?

The forty-fifth president is unlike other politicians. As a popular culture celebrity, in our political theater he plays by different rules. His celebrity and his Twitter base shield him from both his political rivals and the Fourth Estate. He effectively employs rhetoric to undercut US democratic norms and values while exploiting his base’s support to advance his interests and those of his billionaire clique. He now commands a vast communication apparatus. One cannot expect that his celebrity armor will wear thin, or that he will change. The demagogue should not be treated like other politicians. His lies and hypocrisies must be called out. A vigorous and free press must be preserved to uncover and report on his actions and those of his enablers. All Americans must demand transparency from, and hold to account, the regime that supports him.