All politicians and public leaders: LEARN FROM THE SUCCESS OF DONALD TRUMP

You can use the concepts about the new public arena (De Waal, 2018: ‘harnessing the disruptive power of citizens’) to explain the success of Donald Trump in the recent presidential elections.

The main reason to write this book was to explain to the more moderate or democratic politicians, why now in elections often more extreme, authoritarian politicians succeed. Too many think it is about their messages or policies, but in my view it is about their leadership. Obviously this learning process is still work in progress.
This analysis now learns that Donald Trump’s success in leveraging rhetoric, theatrical skills in the “battlefortheeyeballs” (a term coined in this book to describe the fight for public attention and authority in the modern media landscape) is marked by several distinctive elements.

• Simplified messaging and emotional appeal:
  Trump excels at condensing complex issues into simple, memorable phrases. These slogans resonate emotionally with his audience, creating a powerful narrative. His rhetoric often plays on themes of patriotism, fear, and economic promise, which evoke visceral responses and galvanize supporters.
  
• Adversarial framing:
  Trump frequently uses “us vs. them” framing, casting himself as a champion of the “common man” against elites, the media, or political opponents. This dichotomy simplifies the political landscape for his followers and reinforces loyalty.
  
• Theatrical persona:
  Trump’s rallies are orchestrated like entertainment events, complete with grand entrances and provocative statements. He uses body language, tone, and facial expressions to emphasize points, this captivates audiences and creates a sense of excitement.
• Personal branding:
  Trump has cultivated a strong, polarizing personal brand that dominates media coverage. His larger-than-life persona ensures that even his detractors amplify his message by discussing him.
• Direct public engagement:
  Trump bypasses traditional media through social media platforms, particularly X (formerly Twitter) and Truth Social, enabling him to connect directly with millions.
• Provocative content:
  Trump’s statements often provoke controversy, ensuring constant media coverage. This tactic leverages the 24/7 news cycle.
• Polarization as a strategy:
  By polarizing public opinion, Trump ensures that his core supporters remain fiercely loyal, while detractors inadvertently amplify his visibility, this strengthens his dominance in the public sphere.
• Memetic communication:
  Trump’s rhetoric lends itself to memes and viral content. Whether supporters or critics are sharing, the constant visibility sustains his presence.
• Adaptation to media trends:
  Trump intuitively adapts to changing media dynamics, understanding how algorithms prioritize engagement over nuance. His ability to generate reactions – positive or negative – keeps him at the forefront of public discourse.
  

Please, let every politician (learn to) learn from Trump’s success! The main problem now with that is that it is not about content, better speeches or more paperwork in explaining things, it is about culture, behaviour, attitude, skills and actorship!