Lesson Plan Based on the Video: “People are Bored by Trump”

The video titled “People are Bored by Trump” discusses a new ad campaign by the Republican Voters Against Trump group. The campaign targets conservative-leaning independents and undecided Republicans, featuring former Trump voters who now support Kamala Harris. The ad focuses on the dissatisfaction and fatigue among some Republican voters with Donald Trump’s leadership style and rhetoric. It highlights a shift in voter sentiment, emphasizing issues such as Trump’s responsibility for the January 6th events, his treatment of women, and his derogatory comments about servicemen. The campaign aims to create a “permission structure” for these voters to consider supporting Harris in the upcoming election.

Introduction

1. Warm-up Discussion:
   • Ask students about their general perceptions of political ad campaigns.
   • Discuss the role of media in shaping political opinions.
2. Introduce the Video:
   • Provide a brief overview of the video’s content and purpose.

Viewing and Initial Reactions

1. Watch the Video:
   • Play the video for the class.
   • Encourage students to note down key points and any emotional reactions they have.
2. Initial Reactions:
   • Facilitate a brief discussion on students’ immediate thoughts after watching the video.

In-depth Analysis

1. Breakdown of Ad Campaign Strategy:
   • Discuss the target audience of the ad campaign (conservative-leaning independents and undecided Republicans).
   • Analyze the use of testimonials from former Trump supporters.
2. Discussion on Voter Fatigue:
   • Explore the concept of political fatigue and how it might influence voter behavior.
   • Discuss specific criticisms mentioned in the video, such as Trump’s handling of various issues.
3. Effectiveness of Messaging:
   • Evaluate the potential impact of the ad campaign on its intended audience.
   • Discuss whether the campaign effectively creates a “permission structure” for voters to change their allegiance.

See more

BREAKING: In a senile moment, Donald Trump appears to forget who he is running against. It’s beyond clear Donald Trump is losing his cognitive abilities. Retweet to make sure all Americans see this. pic.twitter.com/9c6iEKD8lf

— Kamala’s Wins (@harris_wins) September 5, 2024

Discussion Points

1. Understanding Political Fatigue:
   • Explore what political fatigue means and how it can influence voter behavior.
   • Discuss how repeated exposure to a political figure’s rhetoric and actions might lead to disillusionment among supporters.
2. Role of Testimonials in Political Ads:
   • Analyze the effectiveness of using personal stories in political advertising.
   • Discuss how testimonials from former supporters can provide a “permission structure” for others to change their voting preference
3. Impact of Political Ads:
   • Examine how political ads aim to sway voter opinions and the strategies they use.
   • Discuss the findings from studies on the persuasiveness of political ads, particularly how they can influence less politically knowledgeable voters.

Evaluating the Trustworthiness of the Information

1. Credibility of Sources:
   • Consider the background and motivations of the group Republican Voters Against Trump. The group is composed of former Republican operatives, which may influence their perspective and messaging.
2. Nature of Political Ads:
   • Understand that political ads are not subject to the same truth-in-advertising regulations as commercial ads, meaning they can contain misleading or false information
   • Discuss the implications of this lack of regulation on the trustworthiness of political messaging.
3. Cross-Verification:
   • Encourage cross-referencing claims made in the ads with independent news sources and fact-checking organizations to assess their accuracy.