Stylistic Analysis of Donald Trump’s Inaugural Speech: Lexical, Syntactic, and Rhetorical Features

Abstract

This study conducts a comprehensive stylistic analysis of Donald Trump’s inaugural address delivered on January 20, 2017, focusing on its lexical, syntactic, and rhetorical features. As the first U.S. president without prior political or military experience, Trump’s language was intentionally crafted to reflect a populist identity and connect with a broad audience. The analysis reveals that Trump’s speech is marked by lexical simplicity, frequent repetition, and emotionally charged vocabulary. Syntactically, the address relies heavily on short, declarative sentences, parallel structures, and high-modality constructions. Rhetorically, devices such as anaphora, antithesis, vivid imagery, and direct audience engagement play central roles in shaping the speech’s persuasive force. These stylistic elements work cohesively to project a clear, assertive message and to perform a political identity rooted in populism and anti-elitism. The findings underscore the strategic nature of Trump’s stylistic choices, contributing to the understanding of political discourse in contemporary American rhetoric.