Trump is tactically using ambiguous phrases and comments to convey his ugly and nefarious politics.—Anthony Obi Ogbo
When it comes to making the notorious headlines, Former President Donald Trump is indeed no stranger. His outrageous and often divisive statements have been consistent in congealing his brand. Speaking on a windy airfield outside of Dayton Saturday during a rally, Trump vowed that there would be a “bloodbath” if he is not re-elected in November. This comment came as he discussed the possibility of an increasing trade war with China over auto manufacturing. The rally was intended to get out the vote for Republican Senate candidate Bernie Moreno, whom Trump endorsed in December, ahead of Ohio’s primary on Tuesday. However, in his usual style, his bombastic rhetoric overshadowed this event, leaving Republican compatriots gasping with excuses and explanations.
Here are Trump’s comments; “We’re going to put a 100% tariff on every single car that comes across the line, and you’re not going to be able to sell those guys if I get elected…… Now, if I don’t get elected, it’s going to be a bloodbath for the whole – that’s gonna be the least of it. It’s going to be a bloodbath for the country. That’ll be the least of it.”
President Joe Biden’s campaign swiftly responded, accusing the former president of inciting another January 6th. Biden campaign spokesperson James Singer said, “This is Donald Trump’s true nature: a defeated candidate who lost by over 7 million votes and instead of trying to appeal to a broader audience, he escalates his rhetoric of political violence.”
As usual, Trump’s Republican cronies went into defense to clean up his mess. Their only defense was based on the context – that Trump could have been warning of an economic “bloodbath,” rather than invoking political violence. Some claimed that the media went too far in covering the remarks. The Independent actually carried a gigantic misleading headline, “Trump says US will see economic ‘bloodbath’ if he’s not re-elected.” But that was not what Trump said. He did not use the word, “economic.”
We have seen this several times, that anytime Trump verbally reveals his ulterior motives, his disciples would come up with some watery interpretations to save his awful ego. Throughout his time in the public eye, Trump has made numerous statements that have sparked outrage and backlash. From his derogatory remarks about women, immigrants, and people of color to his dismissive attitude toward science and facts, Trump has consistently pushed the boundaries of acceptable discourse. His inflammatory rhetoric has not only divided the country but also fueled hatred and violence. Despite facing criticism for his words, Trump has shown little remorse or willingness to change his behavior. As a result, many view him as a polarizing figure who thrives on controversy and conflict.
Also, we must not forget what Trump said before his supporters stormed the Capitol. His speech included plenty of equivocal but pivotal phrases that inspired his vulnerably troubled mob to invade the Capitol. He urged them to “fight” and “fight like hell.” He continued, “We want to go back, and we want to get this right, because we’re going to have somebody in there that should not be in there, and our country will be destroyed. And we’re not going to stand for that.”
Trump is tactically using ambiguous phrases and comments to convey his ugly and nefarious politics. He understands that his followers are crazily blind fanatics who would violently act without thinking, and he is taking full advantage of them. Thus, no matter how these comments are interpreted, in reality, they pose significant threats to our people, politics, and the nation. Comments not properly and directly worded in the right meaning could be ambiguous and emit a negative impact. Ambiguity in language can lead to misunderstandings and confusion, potentially causing harm or offense, and we have seen that severally with Trump.
♦Publisher of the Guardian News, Journalism and RTF Professor, Anthony Obi Ogbo, Ph.D. is on the Editorial Board of the West African Pilot News. He is the author of the Influence of Leadership (2015) and the Maxims of Political Leadership (2019). Contact: anthony@guardiannews.us
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