Critical Discourse Analysis of Discursive Strategies Utilized in Donald Trump and Joe Biden's Inaugural Speeches

Abstract

This study seeks to investigate the language employed by Joe Biden and President Donald Trump in their inaugural speeches, using Van Dijk's 2005 model to identify discursive techniques that highlight positive self-portrayal and negative portrayal of others. Through a qualitative design and purposive sampling, the research reveals distinct strategies utilized by both leaders. Trump's speech emphasizes themes of unity and collective agency, leveraging topicalization and numerical emphasis to underscore his support base and policy priorities while contrasting his administration with past shortcomings. He employs illustrations and examples to bolster his positive self-presentation and portrays Americans as victims of political elites, utilizing lexicalization to elevate his agenda and critique past policies. Biden's speech, on the other hand, focuses on democratic values, unity, and healing, utilizing similar techniques to highlight the pandemic's impact and economic challenges. His rhetoric addresses extremism and political division while drawing from American history to foster a sense of shared values and unity. Both leaders employ victimization, lexicalization, populism, metaphors, and modality to shape their narratives and reinforce their leadership images and policy agendas.