“We’re gonna win bigly, believe me!”

One of the characteristics that sets President Trump apart from his predecessors is his style of speech.  His speech lacks the professionalism and thoughtfulness that we have come to expect from a president, and it is easy to criticize him for what some might consider poor grammar.  To do so, however, is to overlook the real problem, which is how Donald Trump chooses his words.  As a prominent figure in the media, he and the rest of the Trump administration have a significant impact on not only what issues are talked about, but how.  The media, as well as other politicians, should not replicate the discourses that he legitimizes and creates through his speech, because they are harmful even when not supported by action.  When contrasted with the last administration, it is clear that Trump’s words are causing a shift in different discourses. These shifts, which are further propagated by the media, range from subtle differences in word choice to outright differences in opinion.

An example of a more subtle shift is in the way Trump talks about stereotypes of different groups.  Throughout his tenure, President Obama’s refused to use the term “radical Islamic terrorism.” This refusal stems not from his doubt in the motivations of certain groups like ISIS or al-Qaeda, but from the recognition of his influence on the discourse surrounding terrorism.  In an effort to avoid reinforcing stereotypes of Muslims, he refrained from using the term.  On the other hand, President Trump uses the term freely, likely with the opposite intentions of his predecessor.  Because they are in such public positions, both Obama and Trump influence the ways in which the general public talks about this topic.   Trump’s rhetoric influences how people understand the relationship between terrorism and Islam.  By conflating Muslims with terrorists, Trump legitimizes harmful actions against Muslims.  This was reflected in the spike in Islamophobic crime in the US after his election. Trump’s harmful language extends far beyond this particular example.  His categorization of Mexican immigrants as rapists or references to black neighborhoods as hotspots for crime and violence only reinforce harmful stereotypes.  In this case, media outlets, politicians, and other prominent figures should take a leaf out of Obama’s book and do their best to call out Trump for these comments and mitigate this kind of language in their own work.  Otherwise, they are simply contributing to harmful discourses which in turn can put people in danger.

Another, perhaps more obvious, difference between Trump and his predecessors is the way he talks about news and the media.  Throughout his campaign he regularly denounced the press as an “enemy of the people.”  In a press conference in February, the president used the term “fake news” to refer to both news outlets and the content they were reporting.  Rather than denying the claims of reporters or addressing their concerns, Trump has chosen to attack the institution of the press itself in an unprecedented way.  This new discourse surrounding the media that Donald Trump has created is dangerous because it removes a barrier to unchecked power.  Although many who do not support Trump’s presidency will ignore his attacks on the press, his comments give supporters the go-ahead to ignore criticisms from reputable sources.   While it seems there is little the press can do without being banned from the White House press room, there are others who can speak out against Trump on this matter.  Republicans in Congress, other local politicians, and conservative media outlets who have sway with Trump’s voter base (but don’t depend on him for their jobs) should speak out against Trump’s attacks on the press.  While they may support his actions now, passively accepting Trump’s views on the press will limit their power should they have any reason to criticize him.  They, too, could be lumped in with reporters of “fake news.”  By adding new, non-liberal voices to the discussion, they can shift the discourse on the media away from Trump’s flippant dismissal.

Prominent voices, be they reporters, politicians, or celebrities, need to be thoughtful when discussing and broadcasting Trump’s words and ideas. When analyzing the President’s speech, it is important to pay attention to the ways in which he is changing the discourse on certain topics, not just the ideas themselves.  The biggest problem with Trump’s language is not “bigly” or “yuge,” but how he uses his words to exert influence in a way which is manipulative and dangerous.