The Discursive Self-Cleaving of Donald Trump

Host William Hudson is joined by Professor Andrea McDonnell, Associate Professor of Political Science and Director of PC’s Communication Program to discuss her new research. Dr. McDonnell has been a guest on this podcast previously to discuss the decline of local news and her 2023 book A Gossip Politic. In today’s podcast she discusses her more recent work on what she calls "discursive self-cleaving," a rhetorical strategy celebrities employ to counter accusations of sexual misconduct. In a forthcoming book, she takes an in depth look at the way three celebrities have deployed this strategy to protect themselves from such accusations. Among the three is former president Donald Trump, a master of discursive self-cleaving, who will be the focus of our conversation. Our conversation shows how various developments in communications in the 21st century, a post-truth information eco-system, bullshitting, and public gaslighting, have enabled this strategy. We conclude with comments on how Trump has expanded discursive self-cleaving from being a response to allegations of sexual misconduct to a routine tool in campaign image making.

Creators & Guests

Host

Bill Hudson

Beyond Your News Feed: Understanding Contemporary Politics is a podcast of the Providence College Political Science Department. On the podcast, we provide analysis of political issues and events featuring the expertise of Providence College faculty members. Our episodes seek to offer in depth discussion of contemporary events that go beyond what typically is covered in the media. In particular, our guests draw on the most up to date research in political science and other fields to throw light on world events. Our episodes cover political events in all regions of the world and in the United States. The issues and events analyzed include elections, public policy, domestic and international crises, political ideologies, racial and ethnic relations, prominent political figures, and many other topics.

Guest

Andrea McDonnell

What is Beyond Your News Feed: Understanding Contemporary Politics?

Welcome to "Beyond Your News Feed: Understanding Contemporary Politics" a new podcast sponsored by the Providence College Political Science Department. Host William Hudson, Political Science Department Chair, and colleagues will provide expert analysis of current political events and issues, delving more deeply into their causes and consequences than can be found in typical media sources.