“If we lose this election, we’re not going to have a country left”:

In this article in the New York Times, Charles Homans describes the change in the way Donald Trump addresses his audience now and in his 2016 campaign. He says quote;

No major American presidential candidate has talked like he now does at his rallies — not Richard Nixon, not George Wallace, not even Donald Trump himself. Quote The New York Times 

Background

• Trump’s Rally: The article describes a Super Tuesday event at Mar-a-Lago where Donald Trump addressed his supporters, emphasizing his intent to win the election and claiming that losing would mean not having a country left.
• Speech Analysis: Trump’s speeches have evolved, now focusing more on grievances and retribution against his perceived enemies rather than the unity and optimism of his 2016 campaign.
• Political Shift: The author notes a shift in Trump’s rhetoric, suggesting a move towards more extreme and divisive language, which some historians compare to fascist campaigning.
• Campaign Strategy: Trump’s campaign strategy involves reinforcing his core followers’ beliefs and positioning himself as their protector against internal threats, using his legal troubles as evidence of a battle against a corrupt system.

Lesson plan.

Look at the quotes and describe the language used here. See the full article here.

Literary devices

A. Repetition – Examples: “We will demolish the deep state”, “we will expel”, “we will drive out”, “we will cast out”, “we will throw off”, “we will rout” – Discuss the effect of this repetitive phrasing and how it builds momentum.

B. Hyperbole – Examples: “If we lose this election, we’re not going to have a country left”, “Our cities are choking to death, our states are dying. And frankly, our country is dying.” – Examine how exaggerated language is used to provoke a sense of urgency and existential threat.

C. “Us vs Them” Rhetoric – Examples: Labeling opponents as “communists, Marxists, fascists”, “radical-left thugs”, “horrible warmongers”, “globalists”, “fake-news media” – Analyze how this dichotomy between “us” (the in-group) and “them” (the out-group) is constructed.

D. Patriotic Imagery – Examples: “We will make America great again”, “The great silent majority is rising”, “we will put America first” – Discuss the use of nationalistic slogans and ideals to rally his base.

Small Group Analysis-

1. Divide students into groups to closely examine additional quotes. –
2. Have each group identify further examples of rhetorical techniques used.

“We’re going to win this election, because we have no choice,” Donald J. Trump told us. “If we lose this election, we’re not going to have a country left.”

• “Our cities are choking to death, “Our states are dying. And frankly, our country is dying.”  “And we’re going to make America great again, greater than ever before. Thank you very much. It’s been a big night.”
• “2024 is our final battle.”
• “With you at my side — and you’ve been at my side from the beginning — we will demolish the deep state. We’ll expel, we’re going to expel, those horrible, horrible warmongers from our government.”
• “We will drive out the globalists. We will cast out the communists, Marxists, fascists.”
• “We will throw off the sick political class that hates our country.”
• “We will rout the fake-news media until they become real.”
• “We will evict Joe Biden from the White House, and we will finish the job that we started better than anybody has ever started a job before.”
• “The great silent majority is rising like never before. And under our leadership, the forgotten man and woman will be forgotten no longer. You’re going to be forgotten no longer. With your help, your love and your vote, we will put America first.”
• “Today, especially in honor of our great veterans on Veterans Day, we pledge to you that we will root out the communists, Marxists, fascists and the radical-left thugs that live like vermin within the confines of our country, that lie and steal and cheat on elections and will do anything possible — they’ll do anything, whether legally or illegally, to destroy America and to destroy the American dream.”
• “The real threat is not from the radical right. The real threat is from the radical left. And it is growing every day. Every single day.”
• “The threat from outside forces is far less sinister, dangerous and grave than the threat from within.”
• “Our threat is from within.”
• We will demolish the deep state with you at my side — and you’ve been at my side from the beginning.”

Essay questions

1. Analyzing Rhetoric in Political Speeches: How does Donald Trump use rhetorical devices such as repetition, hyperbole, “Us vs Them” rhetoric, and patriotic imagery in his campaign speeches? Discuss with reference to specific examples from his speeches.
2. The Evolution of Trump’s Speeches: Compare and contrast Donald Trump’s speeches from his 2016 campaign to his recent ones. What changes can you observe in his rhetoric, and what might these changes signify in his campaign strategy?
3. Impact of Political Rhetoric on Audience: Evaluate the impact of Donald Trump’s rhetoric on his audience and the broader political discourse. How does his use of language shape public opinion and influence political outcomes?