Discursive Tactics in Political Rhetoric: A Van Dijk Framework Analysis of the Trump-Biden Debate 2024

Abstract

The present study investigates discursive tactics in political rhetoric employed by President Joe Biden and Trump in their debate in 2024. Van Dijk Framework Analysis (1995) of discursive tactics in political is adopted to study the Discursive Tactics in relation to the Trump-Biden Debate 2024. Findings showed that Biden used a variety of discursive methods, such as reference to presupposed historical circumstances, to attain a high level of persuasiveness. His word choice suggested that he and his government had already embraced an ideological shift and were trying to convince the rest of the country to follow. Moreover, to awaken people’s emotions and desires, Biden engaged with sensitive social issues such as family struggles, young people’s future, social security, economic issues, and so on. The analysis revealed several hidden ideologies adopted by the speaker and his administration, such as new policies for dealing with America’s economic crises, a significant shift in his country’s international strategies, and his support for women’s rights. This study concluded that the speech maintained current power relations, had the essence of a military and strategic success statement, and sent vital military signals with a transitional and future ideological nature.