Award-winning historian of American political rhetoric & rhetorical analyst.

 

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"Mercieca is probably the leading authority on Trump’s rhetoric."

    --Jonathan Tilove, Austin-American Statesman

Dr. Jennifer Mercieca is an historian of American political rhetoric. She is Associate Professor in the Department of Communication at Texas A&M University and is a Contributing Editor for Zócalo Public Square.

Writing & Public Scholarship

Jennifer writes about American political discourse, especially as it relates to citizenship, democracy, and the presidency. Jennifer has published three books about political rhetoric: Founding Fictions, The Rhetoric of Heroic Expectations: Establishing the Obama Presidency, and Demagogue for President: The Rhetorical Genius of Donald Trump.

 

She has written about rhetoric and politics for The Conversation, Zócalo Public Square, USA Today, Washington Post, and other major media outlets. 

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​She has been interviewed about rhetoric and politics by the BBC World News, NPR's All Things Considered, NPR's 1A, Diane Rehm, The New York Times, CNN, The Guardian, Vice News, Australia's ABC Radio, Slate, USA Today, and many other outlets throughout the United States and Worldwide.

Videos

 

Writing

 

Writing

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Dangerous Demagogues and Weaponized Communication, Rhetoric Society Quarterly.

The Emergence of the Outrage Presidency, Spectra.

When Trump says he was being 'sarcastic' it's just part of his gaslighting, Washington Post. 

Podcasts

The Gist - The Secret Rhetorical Genius
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NPR
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The Secret Rhetorical Genius of Donald Trump

October 17, 2016

These Rhetorical Devices Help Trump Maintain Power January 27, 2020

Comic Hero: Why Donald Trump's Candid Rhetoric Resonates With Supporters. January 19, 2017.

Harsh Words. Violent Acts. Who’s Accountable? October 31, 2018

 

Trump Speak, October 7, 2020