Legitimation strategies IN Donald Trump’s speeches on The Israeli-Palestinian conflict / Muath O. J. Seyam

Muath, O. J. Seyam (2024) Legitimation strategies IN Donald Trump’s speeches on The Israeli-Palestinian conflict / Muath O. J. Seyam. Masters thesis, Universiti Malaya.

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Abstract

Donald Trump’s presidency was marked by controversial policies and speeches that distinguished him from his predecessors. One area where his rhetoric had a significant impact was US foreign policy towards the Israeli-Palestinian conflict (IPC). This study seeks to explore the linguistic strategies employed by Trump to influence this policy and how he legitimized it through his speeches. The study utilises discourse analysis approaches and Van Leeuwen’s (2007) legitimation in discourse and communication framework to analyze five of Trump’s political speeches. The NVivo 12 Pro software application was used to aid the analysis. By examining the discursive strategies used by Trump, the study aims to reveal how he legitimised his policies and created new realities in the IPC. The research is expected to shed light on the legitimation strategies used by Trump concerning the IPC and his representation of Israelis and Palestinians. This study is relevant as it contributes to a better understanding of how the US administration, represented by President Trump, dealt with the IPC and its players. It highlights the linguistic tactics that were employed to influence foreign policy, thereby providing insights that could inform future policymaking in this area. Through this study, it is anticipated that a clearer picture of the IPC will emerge, and the language used by political leaders will be recognised as a critical factor in shaping policy and public opinion. Moreover, the findings of the study could contribute to more nuanced discussions and debates on the IPC, as well as enhance the understanding of the complexity of the conflict and the challenges involved in resolving it. In conclusion, this study examines the linguistic strategies employed by President Trump in influencing US foreign policy towards the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. It provides insights into how Trump legitimised his policies and created new realities in the IPC through his speeches. The study contributes to a better understanding of the conflict and how political leaders use language to influence foreign policy, thus informing future policymaking in this area.

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