Donald Trump Used His Voice to Emphasize a Moral Message in His Government Shutdown Speech

Donald Trump, White House Photo

Yesterday, with the government largely shut down, President Donald Trump spoke on television for just under 10 minutes from the Oval Office to advocate his immigration policy, especially the proposed border wall or fence. He used his voice to emphasize key points by pausing and accenting certain words by speaking them more loudly. Why is Donald Trump so persuasive? One reason, no doubt about it, is his excellent vocal delivery. Although this speech was far below his usual standard, he gave the presentation far more interest than the tepid Democratic response by Nancy Pelosi and Chuck Schumer.

Here are some examples:

• Consider how he gave emotional impact to this line: “Furthermore, we have asked Congress to close border security loopholes so that illegal immigrant children can be safely and humanely returned back home.” He slowed when he said, “safely and humanely returned back home.” He paused between the key words, almost like a singer using staccato rhythm. Why did this matter? First, he has been accused of implementing inhumane border policies. By emphasizing “safely and humanely,” he gave those words nonverbal emphasis.
  
• His vivid phrase, “The only thing that is immoral is the politicians to do nothing and continue to allow more innocent people to be so horribly victimized” got special emphasis when he slowed for the words “horribly victimized.” He condemned with his voice, not just with his words.

• When he said, “In Maryland, MS-13 gang members that arrived in the United States as unaccompanied minors were arrested and charged last year after viciously stabbing and beating a 16-year-old girl,” he slowed and paused briefly for “viciously stabbing and beating” and spoke the words “16-year-old girl” slowly and softly. This nonverbal effect emphasized the moral issues.

Yet Trump’s tone of voice was very mild, especially compared to his live rallies. Trump’s words spread fear: “crisis,” “brutally killed,” “vicious coyotes and ruthless gangs,” and so forth. But his calm delivery, with morally important words getting nonverbal emphasis, expressed reasonableness. Communication researchers have known for many years that people believe the nonverbal message more than the verbal message. His words were angry; but his nonverbal tone was calm and fatherly.

Trump’s delivery was far from perfect. He was hoarse (did he have a cold?) and didn’t express enough energy. He was obviously reading a prepared text from an electronic device. He sounded uncharacteristically dull. Luckily for him, however, Schumer and Pelosi were even duller. 

Note: Trump has not been able to get his wall funded because Congress won't fund it, and Congress won't fund it because they don't feel that the public is pushing them to do so. Trump went past Congress to talk directly to the people. Was it enough? We'll see.