Donald Trump's Inaugural Address, Part 2, "American Carnage"

Although Donald Trump made many points during his January 20, 2016 Inaugural Address, his phrase "American carnage" represents the speech's destiny.

History often remembers a speech for one dramatic phrase. Think of these:

"The only thing we have to fear is fear itself," which anyone recognizes from Franklin Roosevelt's First Inaugural Address.

"Ask not what your country can do for you; ask what you can do for your country," a striking phrase from John F Kennedy's Inaugural Address.

"You shall not press down upon the brow of labor this crown of thorns; you shall not crucify mankind upon a cross of gold," from William Jennings Bryan's speech at the 1896 Democratic National Convention.

And, of course--

"I have a dream today!" is the phrase for which history remembers Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., from his 1963 speech in Washington, DC.

Each of these memorable phrases focuses the audience's attention on the speech's theme. Roosevelt's speech, delivered during the Great Depression's depths, told the American people that they could overcome adversity if they overcame their fears. John Kennedy's phrase invited people to put country above self, which was the principle for many of his programs. Bryan's dramatic phrase expressed a difficult economic issue, the gold standard, in emotional and powerful terms. King's speech looked to the future, which is what dreams are about. Each of these speakers said many things, but we remember each speech for one dramatic phrase.

Donald J. Trump, WH photo

In contrast, Trump's phrase "American carnage" creates a dark and dismal vision of the United States. It is the kind of phrase that one might otherwise use to describe a nation that has been devastated by war or shattered by grinding poverty.

Not all of Trump's speech was dark and dismal. He described hope, national unity, and a program of strength and justice. Most of this gets lost, however, because "American carnage," the speech's striking and thematic phrase, focuses the listener's attention entirely on what Trump claims to be a disaster.

Persons who are shocked by Trump's pessimistic phrase need to remember that many Americans do, in fact, feel that the nation is facing an apocalyptic disaster. It is often unclear what this apocalyptic disaster might be, but, even if some of the dangers are overblown, the fear is real. Many people welcomed Trump's recognition of their belief that things are going very wrong in our country. At the same time, words have impact, and people who fear carnage or who believe that things are as bad as Trump said may be more inclined to accept risky policies or to abandon long-established traditions. A basic principle of conservatism is to take risks only when absolutely necessary. "American carnage" not only presents a cheerless opinion, but could be used to justify dangerous decisions: while Franklin Roosevelt faced down a true national emergency with optimism, Trump's optimism – and he did project some optimism in the speech – was buried under a single frightening phrase.

Also, here are my more positive thoughts about language use in Trump's speech.