The Political Scene: The Spectacularization of Debate in Trump' Case
Abstract
This paper provides a semiotic analysis of Donald Trump’s communication strategy, focusing on its influence on contemporary political discourse in digital contexts. Employing Goffman’s theatrical metaphor, which frames social interactions as staged performances, this study investigates Trump’s rhetorical strategy, characterized by the systematic use of offensive and provocative language. His deliberate use of “impoliteness” – a calculated deviation from conventional norms of decorum – serves as an intentional rhetorical device to provoke intense emotional reactions and amplify engagement, particularly on social media platform X. Within this framework, Trump’s communication style aligns with the polarized dynamics of the infosphere, where emotional appeal increasingly eclipses rational, measured discourse. By deploying a register that merges populist simplicity with confrontational force, Trump’s approach reveals how consensus can be pursued through dissent, effectively capturing audience attention and fostering polarization. This analysis thus contributes to a broader understanding of political language’s transformation in the digital age, as strategies emphasizing emotional resonance gain precedence over complexity. Trump’s communicative approach illustrates this trend, demonstrating how political figures harness provocative language to disrupt normative expectations, maintain visibility, and shape discourse. The findings underscore Trump’s strategy as a model of communicative disruption, one that not only impacts the American political landscape but also prompts a reevaluation of social media’s role in shaping global public discourse.
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