MAKING AMERICA GREAT AGAIN: RHETORICAL ANALYSIS OF TRUMP’S RETURN TO NATIONALISM AND ITS GLOBAL IMPLICATIONS

Abstract

This research employs Norman Fairclough's (2015) Three-Dimensional Model of Critical Discourse Analysis (CDA) to analyze Donald Trump's speeches, tweets, and public statements, focusing on his 2024 Campaign Rally in Waco, Texas and his Inaugural Address on January 20, 2025. Fairclough's model is applied in three stages: textual analysis, discursive practice, and social practice. The textual analysis examines the linguistic features and rhetorical strategies used by Trump, such as emotionally charged vocabulary, metaphors, and grammatical choices, to construct narratives of nationalism, sovereignty, and populism. The discursive practice analysis investigates how these texts are produced, distributed, and consumed, with a particular focus on Trump’s media strategies, digital platforms, and targeted messaging. Finally, the social practice analysis situates his discourse within the broader ideological and power structures, exploring the political implications of his rhetoric on nationalism, immigration, and global relations.

The findings highlight how Trump’s language serves to reinforce a populist and nationalist agenda, framing American sovereignty as under threat and positioning himself as the protector of American interests. His use of polarizing metaphors, such as "invaders" for immigrants and "drain the swamp" for corruption, is designed to rally his base and challenge the political establishment. Through strategic media use, Trump amplifies his messages, engaging audiences across diverse platforms, thereby reinforcing ideological divides and contributing to political polarization.

The significance of this study lies in its examination of how political leaders, through discourse, shape public opinion, mobilize support, and influence national and international power relations. The implications of this research extend beyond understanding Trump’s rhetoric; it provides insights into the dynamics of populism, the role of media in political communication, and the ways in which discourse contributes to shaping the political landscape in a post-Cold War, postcolonial context. This study underscores the power of language in constructing political ideologies and the potential impact of discourse on the future of global governance and national identity.