https://www.newyorker.com/news/current/trumps-response-to-the-pittsburgh-synagogue-shooting-and-his-obsession-with-the-word-frankly
After the synagogue shooting that took place in Pittsburgh Pennsylvania, Trump received backlash from the American public, blaming him for his careless and caustic use of rhetoric. During a speech to the Future Farmers of America on Saturday afternoon, Trump indicates the event as a "wicked act of mass murder". While this event is a horrible thing to happen within our country, Trump adds phrases such as "If there was an armed guard inside the temple, they would have been able to stop them,"..."Maybe there would have been nobody killed except for him, frankly". The president's use of the word "frankly" is perceived to be lighthearted by many Americans, as if he was deeming the word's relation to themes of violence and tragedy as both a serious topic and a joke. The significance of "frankly" signals to some Americans as Trump desensitizing the situation because of the vague emphasis that the word places. In addition, Trump's rhetoric during these speeches makes him seem as if he is unveiling a new truth to the American public, while in reality, this type of violence and hate has been going on for years. People are upset at the president's careless use of words and inconsistencies regarding his attitude toward the situation. As the president of the United States, people want to hear what is the truth and a call to action. However, people do not need Trump to be frank about something that has been obvious for a while now. Because we are approaching the midterm, there is more attention to the campaigning of the candidates. Trump's response to the shooting was seen in the spotlight of criticism because people are going to be judging the strategies in order to secure votes. With this recent happening, the smallest aspects of campaigning and public appeal have become critical, and in Trump's situation, a defining factor for the midterm. This raises the question:
1.) How should POTUS properly address events such as this in a manner that is both respectful and gives consolidation to the public to a degree?
2.) To what degree do you believe such rhetoric is a defining factor of POTUS' campaign, specifically for this midterm?
1. While it angers some, Trump's informal tone and lack of PC language is something that many people actually empathize with. In an age where many believe politicians to be corrupt and untrustworthy, Trump does a good job of appealing to his base by avoiding rhetoric similar to other politicians. While I personally do not like the informal tone he uses, if he were to abandon that tone, it might look like he was abandoning his anti-pc speech that many love him for.
ReplyDelete2: It is known that during every midterm, the party of the president usually loses seats. I believe that in order to avoid the loss of such seats, trump will continue his anti-PC rhetoric. While he has been known to have a big mouth, he has also developed a fearless America first agenda, one that has seemed to resonate with many. If he can rally citizens and inspire hope after this shooting, he may get some sort of boost in popularity. It's questionable though, as he may turn some off in an attempt to use this as a way to justify placing armed guards in areas like schools and synagogues.
1. DJT's campaign and presidency have been consistently showing the American people a lack of political correctness and an extreme use of Hyperbole. This appeals to his supporters, yet it makes situations like these very difficult. His lack of political correctness, especially at a time like this, could easily be seen as rude and disrespectful. However, he also needs to appeal to his anti-PC base of supporters.
ReplyDelete2. Like Charlie had said in class earlier in the year, Trump is similar to the bible in the sense that you have to pick and choose what you are going to interpret literally. I think in almost any other presidency, such rhetoric and use of language would be frowned upon and scolded. However, because Trump has been so anti-PC up until now, my guess is it will roll over and won’t have a huge impact on the upcoming midterms. Trump’s responses to almost anything are ridiculed and I think the events themselves will have a larger impact rather than how Trump responds to them.
Sophia McMaster
ReplyDelete1. In times like these, the president needs to be more serious with the words he chooses, especially so close to midterms. Trump's speeches are known for his sarcastic diction and are laughed at by the opposite party. But in times where he can take responsible action and make a positive change for all of America, his words need to be more mature so that both parties can reasonably state their beliefs of the presidents ideas.
2. Trump's speeches have been seen as very inspiring and promising to many. His words have helped strengthen and build the Republican party which will benefit him in the midterms. Rhetoric has become a defining factor for Trump's campaigns because it is what Democrat's use to protest his ideas and what Republican's use to support his agenda.
Karina Mori
ReplyDelete1. I think that President Trump is definitely not approaching these events carefully, and I think he needs to change his rhetoric to be more apologetic to the families and friends of the victims. Another thing is Trump is using these situations to further his own ideas, which is far too soon and very insensitive to many.
2. I think that rhetoric has been a very important factor in his campaign and eventual win. Many people seem to empathize with Trump in that he speaks more closely to the average person than a normal, very intellectual sounding president. I think that this helps him because people understand him more, but on the other side, this rhetoric is very easily misinterpreted and can come across very rude.
The main issue I take with Trump's rhetoric in his speech addressing the shooting was that he used such a horrific event that was partially caused by his own indifference about gun control to fit his own narrative. He talked about having an armed guard at a synagogue, somewhere where any person should be able to peacefully worship, basically saying that if there were more guns circulating this wouldn't have happened. I find this extremely disrespectful and the last thing that anyone affected or not wants to hear.
ReplyDeleteDonald Trump tends to mold current and tragic events to fit his own personal agenda. Instead of opening his mind to the possibility of needing gun control, he argues the opposite. His tone is fake and scripted to everyone listening and needs to learn how to be truly sympathetic. The families of the victims and those involved do not want to hear another portion of his political agenda. During tragic events like these, Trump needs to forget about being Donald Trump for a second and put himself in their shoes.
ReplyDelete1) In light of a large tragedy the president should act a beacon of light to the public. Mass shooting events are scary and they make the public feel unsafe, the President should recognize this. The President should be considerate of the public, who live with a constant cloud of "What if this happens to me" over their heads. The speeches after tragedies should assure the public that they are safe, not make them feel less unsafe by saying that there should be armed guards.
ReplyDelete2) I believe the rhetoric of the President's speeches is impactful, as someone in the public eye everything the president says gets analyzed and they have to choose words carefully. Because thee is such a large audience, If words are not chosen carefully it can offed people and ultimately that will affect the Presidents campaign.
1) I think that the POTUS should address issues like this by mourning with the nation and giving a speech commending the lives of the deceased- without any interjection of politics
ReplyDelete2)I believe that the only people that take what Trump says in a lot of his speeches seriously are the far left and the far right, therefore, they are the ones overreacting all the time
1. Trump did exactly what he shoudl have done, expressed his sorrow for the victims and attempt to unite the nation.
ReplyDelete2. Trump's campaign was marked by his willingness to talk to people in astraightforward way, even when it wasnt PC. By rejecting the lefts attempts to control language, he was able to connect with people who wanted somebody to be outside the establishment and tell the truth.
1. President Trump expressed condolences yet escalated the situation unlike a POTUS, not uniting all people together. He should have, instead, not brought up partisan biases into his remarks.
ReplyDelete2. The rhetoric of the President's statements should not be focused, as his tendency is to talk to the audience as if he was speaking to Baron. In my opinion I believe the media knows at this point that this is his version of sorrow and people need to stop bringing it up on news.
1. I mean I guess he tried his best? But his best isn't really that good when it comes to rhetoric. He should've express his sorrow for the victims and extended his condolences rather than bringing up his partisan views in an attempt to gain more support.
ReplyDelete2. Trump has a tendency to say things that he really shouldn't be saying and this reflects pretty poorly on his presidency.
1. As the president, Trump addressed this situation the the best he could by mourning and talking about what America can do in the future.
ReplyDelete2. Trump often says things on Twitter that may come out wrong for some. This affects what people may think of him and how seriously he's taken.
1. He should take pointers from literally every president up until him. Even George “Misunderestimated” W. Bush was able to handle tragic events with grace. Trump is one of the only presidents in U.S. history who is able to fail at an event like this.
ReplyDelete2. His entire platform is based around rhetorical strategies of convincing the public of his sincerity. His speech patterns are simple, direct, and devoid of very much information. The casual way that he speaks is what gives him so much trust from the republican base.