CRITICAL DISCOURSE ANALYSIS ON THE SECOND INAUGURAL SPEECH OF DONALD TRUMP

• RACHMA SYALWA NAQISSA
• 2025

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This study aims to analyze the second inaugural speech of Donald Trump using
Teun A. van Dijk’s model of Critical Discourse Analysis (CDA), which includes three
dimensions: text analysis (microstructure, macrostructure, and superstructure), social
cognition, and social context. The research is qualitative in nature and focuses on how
linguistic features reflect ideologies, power relations, and identity construction within
the speech.
The findings reveal that Trump’s speech presents a dominant macrostructure
centered on nationalism, sovereignty, and renewal. The superstructure follows a
problem-solution framework, in which he portrays America as being in decline and
proposes his leadership as the solution. At the microstructural level, lexical choices
such as repetition, polarization, and emotive language are employed to build unity
among Americans while framing outsiders and elites as threats. Social cognition is
shaped through collective memory, fear, and appeals to shared values, reinforcing a
populist ideology. The social context of the speech reflects a divided political climate
in which Trump uses discourse to legitimize his policies and authority.
Overall, the study concludes that Trump’s second inaugural address is a
strategic use of language aimed at shaping national identity and consolidating political
power. The analysis demonstrates the effectiveness of CDA in uncovering the deeper
ideological functions behind political rhetoric.
Keywords: Critical Discourse Analysis, Donald Trump, Inaugural Speech, Van Dijk,
Political Rhetoric, Nationalism, Power

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