Donald Trump's Speech at the State Dinner in South Korea: A Unifying Speech

President Trump at State Dinner in South Korea

Although President Donald Trump is better known for divisive speeches, he gave a unifying speech at a November 7, 2017 state dinner with President Moon of South Korea, during President Trump's trip to Asia. My former professor Charles Urban Larson distinguished between the pragmatic speaking style, which we often associate with President Trump, and the unifying style, which brings people closer together.

The event started with a graphic in Korean and English: "We Go Together." President Moon's remarks emphasized the long alliance that the two nations shared. A toast was raised.

President Trump promised that the next day would be "exciting . . . for many reasons that people will find out." Well, surprise and suspense are classic Trump tactics. Mostly, however, Mr. Trump emphasized unity: "The partnership between our two nations and our two people is deep and enduring. We have been proud to stand by your side for many decades as an unwavering friend and a loyal ally." In what sounded like a response to North Korea's recent missile tests, he continued: "And you have never had a time where this ally has been more loyal or stood by your side more than right now." He also talked about "our close and abiding bonds of friendship."

Most ceremonial or epideictic speeches turn to values; this was no exception: "Together, our nations remind the world of the boundless potential of societies that choose freedom over tyranny, and who set the[m] free." That passage not only reaffirmed unity, but also reinforced democratic values. He praised South Korea for "South Korea's success and affirm our close and abiding bonds of friendship."

A notable feature was Mr. Trump's clear endorsement of the South Korea-United States alliance, which contrasted with Mr. Trump's earlier reluctance to fully endorse the North Atlantic alliance earlier this year.

Throughout the event, translators communicated the speakers' words. All in all, this was a safe speech: unifying, reassuring, dignified, carefully scripted. President Trump followed the script, caused no problems, and aroused no controversy. Sometimes, when danger lurks, calm reassurance is a speaker's best attitude.