2025, Vol. 6, Issue 2, Part C
Analysing political rhetoric in long-form audio: A thematic study of Donald trumps appearance on the Joe Rogan experience podcast
Author(s): Venkatesh M, Sripriya M and Rajkamal N
Abstract: In the evolving landscape of political communication, long-form podcasts have emerged as pivotal platforms for shaping public discourse, particularly among young males. This study conducts a thematic analysis of Donald Trump's October 25, 2024, appearance on The Joe Rogan Experience (Episode #2219), a three-hour conversation that garnered over 100 million views and was credited with influencing the 2024 U.S. presidential election outcome. Drawing on inductive coding of the full transcript, eight core themes - ranging from media bias critiques to election fraud claims - are identified, revealing Trump's strategic use of grievance narratives, achievement boasts, and digressions to construct a resilient outsider persona. This analysis integrates visual and paralinguistic cues such as gestures and tonal shifts to highlight how the podcast's intimate format amplifies rhetorical persuasion. The findings align with prior research on podcasts as "soft power" conduits for populist rhetoric (McHugh, 2023; Rasheed et al., 2025) [6, 8], underscoring their role in bypassing traditional media gatekeepers. Implications for democratic deliberation include heightened risks of misinformation in unmoderated spaces and opportunities for authentic voter engagement. This work contributes to mass communication scholarship by bridging thematic analysis with auditory media studies and by offering methodological insights for examining hybrid digital formats.
DOI: 10.22271/27084450.2025.v6.i2c.140
Pages: 220-223 | Views: 376 | Downloads: 239
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How to cite this article:
Venkatesh M, Sripriya M and Rajkamal N. Analysing political rhetoric in long-form audio: A thematic study of Donald trumps appearance on the Joe Rogan experience podcast. International Journal of Advanced Mass Communication and Journalism. 2025; 6(2): 220-223. DOI: 10.22271/27084450.2025.v6.i2c.140
