Rhetorical principles in Trump’s 2025 speech

4 min readJan 21, 2025

In a remarkable display of political rhetoric, Donald Trump’s 2025 inaugural address offers a fascinating case study in modern presidential oratory. As we analyze this historic speech, we uncover a masterclass in the classical principles of rhetoric — from Aristotelian appeals to contemporary persuasion techniques. Through careful examination of his language, structure, and delivery, we can observe how traditional rhetorical devices shape public opinion and articulate a particular vision of America’s future.

This speech is particularly interesting because it departs from typical inaugural conventions while still employing time-tested persuasive techniques. From the powerful use of metaphor (“Sunlight is pouring over the entire world”) to the strategic deployment of antithesis (contrasting decline with renewal), the speech demonstrates how classical rhetorical principles continue to shape modern political discourse.

When analyzing political speeches, we typically look at:

The three main rhetorical appeals:

Ethos (credibility)
Pathos (emotional appeal)
Logos (logical reasoning)

2. Key rhetorical devices such as:

Repetition
Metaphor
Parallelism
Anaphora
Call to action

In this analysis, we’ll break down the key rhetorical devices that make Donald Trump’s 2025 inaugural speech significant, examining how they work together to create a compelling narrative of national transformation.

1. Rhetorical Appeals:

Ethos:

Establishes credibility through personal survival narrative (“an assassin’s bullet ripped through my ear”) [1]
References his previous experience (“Over the past eight years, I have been tested and challenged”) [1]

Pathos:

Heavy emphasis on emotional appeals about American greatness and renewal (“The Golden Age of America begins right now”) [1]
Uses vivid imagery of destruction and decay to create urgency (“fires still tragically burn”, “communities laying broken”) [1], [3]

Logos:

References specific policy proposals and executive actions [2]
Cites electoral success with specific demographic groups [3]

2. Key Rhetorical Devices:

Antithesis:

Contrasts current problems with promised solutions (“America’s decline is over”) [[1]
Juxtaposes, placing two or more contrasting ideas, characters, themes, or phrases side by side for the purpose of comparison, highlighting their differences, or to create an effect. (“corrupt establishment” against “American patriots”) [1], [2]

Anaphora:

Repeated phrases like “We will” to emphasize promises and create rhythm [3]

Metaphor:

Uses light imagery (“Sunlight is pouring over the entire world”) [1]
References to “golden age” and “liquid gold” (oil) [1], [3]

3. Underlying Messages:

The speech contains several key underlying messages:

The portrayal of America as both struggling and destined for renewal [1]
Emphasis on strength and power rather than traditional democratic values [2]
Clear signals about culture war issues (“only two genders”) [1], [3]
Strong nationalist themes about American exceptionalism [2], [3]

The speech notably combines traditional inaugural themes of unity with more confrontational elements, particularly when criticizing predecessors directly in their presence[1], [3]. It represents a departure from typical inaugural addresses by maintaining campaign-style rhetoric while also attempting to project presidential authority [2].

The rhetorical analysis of Trump’s 2025 inaugural address reveals a carefully crafted narrative that combines classical persuasive techniques with modern political messaging. Through the strategic use of ethos, pathos, and logos, combined with powerful metaphorical language and repetitive structures, the speech demonstrates how political rhetoric continues to evolve while remaining rooted in ancient principles of persuasion. From the “Golden Age” metaphor to the direct policy pronouncements, each element serves a specific purpose in building emotional resonance and political authority.

For reference:

Here’s a clear explanation of the primary rhetorical devices:

The Three Main Rhetorical Appeals:

Ethos — Appeal to Authority/Credibility

How the speaker establishes their trustworthiness and expertise
Example from speech: “Over the past eight years, I have been tested and challenged more than any president”

2. Pathos — Appeal to Emotion

Using language that stirs feelings and emotional responses
Example from speech: “Sunlight is pouring over the entire world”

3. Logos — Appeal to Logic

Using facts, statistics, and rational arguments
Example from speech: References to specific policies and electoral statistics

Other Important Rhetorical Devices:

Anaphora — Repetition at the beginning

Repeating words at the start of successive phrases
Example from speech: “We will not be conquered. We will not be intimidated. We will not be broken”

2. Antithesis — Contrasting Ideas

Putting opposing concepts next to each other for effect
Example from speech: Contrasting “decline” with “golden age”

3. Metaphor — Comparative Imagery

Using one thing to represent another
Example from speech: “Liquid gold” refers to oil

4. Call to Action

Direct appeals for audience response or involvement
Example from speech: “Together we will end the chronic disease epidemic”

These devices work together to create persuasive and memorable speeches that can influence audiences’ thoughts and emotions.

What do you think? Which rhetorical device in this speech resonated most strongly with you — the emotional appeals of pathos, the authority-building elements of ethos, or the logical framework of logos? Share your thoughts in the comments below.