"Mercieca is probably the leading authority on Trump’s rhetoric."
--Jonathan Tilove, Austin-American Statesman
"She makes saving democracy fun!"
--Maya May, The Lincoln Project
Dr. Jennifer Mercieca is an historian of American political rhetoric. She is 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.
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
Dangerous Demagogues and Weaponized Communication, Rhetoric Society Quarterly.
The Emergence of the Outrage Presidency, Spectra.
The Propaganda Playbook: A Section-by-Section Dissection of Tucker Carlson's Communication Strategy, Just Security.
Podcasts
The Secret Rhetorical Genius of Donald Trump
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