Political Scientists Claim Trump's "Violent Rhetoric" Requires "Close Monitoring"

Comparing Trump's and Obama's Speeches

Two political scientists have suggested that the "violent rhetoric" of former President Donald Trump is escalating. Nikita Savin, a doctoral student at the University of California Los Angeles (UCLA), and UCLA Professor Daniel Treisman have drawn this conclusion after scrutinizing Trump's campaign and presidential speeches from 2015 to 2024. They compared these to former President Barack Obama's weekly White House addresses, despite the difference in tone between campaign speeches and formal addresses. The scientists also commented that the violent language used by Hillary Clinton is a reflection of her "toughness" as a female politician challenging stereotypes.

Insights into Trump's Future Approach

The scientists suggested that Trump's growing fondness for violent language and populist themes might provide clues about his future strategy, whether he is in office or defeated. They believe that the rise of such rhetoric should be closely monitored due to its potential implications for the broader political landscape. This conclusion is based on a study they published in July and updated recently.

Trump's "Violent Tone" and "Controversial Rhetorical Style"

According to the scientists, Trump uses a "violent tone" and a "controversial rhetorical style". The study used a dictionary developed by Treisman and another researcher. They compared his language to that of "authoritarian figures such as Kim Jong Un and Fidel Castro". They also noted that Trump uses "aggressive" language, such as his promise to "drain the swamp".

Evolution of Trump's Rhetoric

The academics observed that Trump's rhetorical style has significantly evolved since his first presidential campaign. Initially, his language became more inclusive, with increased use of terms like "we" and "the people" and fewer references to elites and social groups he views negatively. However, once in office, his speeches became more combative, with a surge in the use of violent language and more frequent references to "them". They suggested that this evolution indicates that Trump's rhetoric is adaptable, changing in response to political contexts and the audience he aims to engage.

Comparing Trump's and Biden's Rhetoric

The researchers found former President Joe Biden's rhetoric to be more measured. Despite being president during the onset of two foreign wars and other ongoing conflicts abroad, Biden's use of violent vocabulary during both the 2020 and 2024 presidential campaigns was consistently less than Trump's, according to the UCLA summary.

Clinton's Use of Violent Imagery

The scientists also addressed the violent imagery used by Hillary Clinton. They suggested that Clinton's use of violent words in her 2015-2016 campaign slightly exceeded Trump's relatively moderate level at that time, which could reflect Clinton's desire to show 'toughness' given stereotypes of women leaders being less hawkish.

Bottom Line

This study provides an interesting perspective on the rhetoric used by political leaders and its potential implications. The researchers' claim that Trump's "violent rhetoric" is escalating and needs to be closely monitored is thought-provoking. What are your thoughts on this analysis? Do you agree with the researchers' conclusions? Feel free to share this article with your friends and discuss it. You can also sign up for the Daily Briefing, which is available every day at 6 pm.