Exceptional Me: How Donald Trump Exploited the Discourse of American Exceptionalism - Softcover

Jason Gilmore

Softcover

ISBN 10: 075562694X ISBN 13: 9780755626946

Publisher: I.B. Tauris, 2021

Synopsis

Donald Trump has forged a unique relationship with American exceptionalism, parting ways with how presidents and presidential candidates have long communicated this idea to the American public. Jason Gilmore and Charles Rowling call this Trump's 'Exceptional Me Strategy' which began with his 2016 election campaign. In the rhetoric he deployed during this period he actively portrayed the United States as un-exceptional, placing blame at the feet of both Democrats and Republicans to set himself up as the one, exceptionally qualified, candidate who could Make America Great Again. Through systematic comparative analysis, Rowling and Gilmore examine the departure Trump's exceptionalist rhetoric signals from previous presidents use of exceptionalism as a tool of political communication - rather than America (its institutions, ideals and people) being exceptional, it is Donald Trump himself who holds the key to American exceptionalism.

About this title

About the Author

Jason Gilmore is an Associate Professor of Global Communication at Utah State University. His research examines the strategic creation, dissemination, and effects of potent national and international ideas such as American exceptionalism, patriotism, and anti-Americanism. He has published extensively on the history of American exceptionalism in the American presidency. Charles Rowling is an Associate Professor of Political Science at University of Nebraska at Kearney. His research primarily explores the relationship between officials, the press and the public in the context of US foreign policy, focusing on the role that national identity plays in shaping these interactions.

Edition details

• Publisher: I.B. Tauris
• Publication date: 2021
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 075562694X
• ISBN 13: 9780755626946
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 272