Rhetoric and Governance under Trump: Proclamations from the Bullshit Pulpit

Rhetoric and Governance under Trump: Proclamations from the Bullshit Pulpit argues that Donald Trump's rhetoric, policies, corruption, foreign policy, and disdain for the rule of law make him a textbook populist, but his embrace of mainstream conservative policies and culture war narratives has made him a conventional Republican. The authors find that Trump governed using a communication strategy that denied facts, relied heavily on bullshit, lies, and fabricated counter-narratives, attacked news outlets and the opposition to foster identity-based polarization, and dismissed legitimate criticism as "fake news." This strategy has allowed Trump to normalize these lies and cover-ups, further exacerbating the highly polarized and partisan political environment in the United States.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 386 pages
Publication date: 03 February 2022
Publisher: Lexington Books

Rhetoric and Governance under Trump: Proclamations from the Bullshit Pulpit delves into the analysis of Donald Trump's rhetoric to establish that his deeply illiberal rhetoric, cruel policies, corruption, disruptive foreign policy, and disdain for the rule of law classify him as a textbook populist. However, his embrace of mainstream conservative policies and the culture war narratives associated with them positions him as a rather conventional Republican. To navigate this fundamental contradiction, Trump resorted to employing populist and polarizing rhetoric, alongside fabricated crises, to maintain the façade of being an anti-status quo politician.

Bernd Kaussler, Lars J. Kristiansen, and Jeffrey Delbert argue in their book that for Trump, bullshit, confrontational politics, and fear have emerged as crucial political strategies. Through an examination of Trump's first three years in office, the authors reveal that President Trump governed using a communication strategy characterized by several key aspects. Firstly, it denied facts, relying heavily on bullshit, lies, and fabricated counter-narratives. This strategy aimed to undermine the credibility of news outlets and the opposition, fostering identity-based polarization to sideline critics and rally support for specific political goals. Secondly, the communication strategy attacked news outlets and the opposition, employing derogatory language and spreading misinformation to undermine their authority and discredit their criticisms. This tactic served to undermine trust in the media and polarize the public, further dividing individuals along political lines.

Thirdly, the strategy dismissed legitimate criticism of policies and the conduct of the administration and the president himself as "fake news." By discrediting opposing viewpoints, Trump sought to undermine the legitimacy of criticism and maintain his grip on power. This dismissive attitude not only undermined democratic norms but also contributed to the polarization of the political environment in the United States.

Kaussler, Kristiansen, and Delbert argue that the repeated use of this strategy, coupled with public complacency and concerted efforts on the part of his own party, has allowed Trump to normalize these lies and cover-ups throughout his tenure. This normalization process has further exacerbated the highly polarized and partisan political environment in the United States, where individuals and groups are increasingly divided along ideological lines.

The book Rhetoric and Governance under Trump: Proclamations from the Bullshit Pulpit offers valuable insights into the rhetoric and governance of Donald Trump. Scholars in rhetoric, communication, political science, and media studies will find this book particularly relevant as it sheds light on the strategies employed by Trump to consolidate power and shape public opinion. By examining the intersection of rhetoric, policy, and power, the authors provide a comprehensive analysis of the challenges facing democratic societies in the contemporary world.

Weight: 546g
Dimension: 151 x 230 x 27 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781498594851