Former President Donald Trump ended the Republican National Convention with a speech touted as signal of unity for the party and the country. Political scientist Karen Hult and media and public relations expert Cayce Myers provide their analyses of the ways Trump achieved that goal, the ways he fell short, and what strategies could be employed by Republicans and Democrats going forward in the general election.

Cayce Myers on Trump’s speech

“Trump’s speech has two parts,” Myers said. “The first was a unity message and an emotional piece about his experience of being shot. That story and delivery was the most powerful part. The second part was more like a Trump rally with an off-script discussion of his accomplishments and his perceptions of the current state of politics. That second part appealed to the Republicans in the room but likely did little to sway independent voters.  

“However, the point of his speech and convention was to create a unified Republican Party. The convention accomplished that,” Myers said. “It pivots the Republicans to a working person’s party concerned about the economy, immigration, and jobs. It is more isolationist and is centered around MAGA values. It is not the Republican Party of 2016 even. It is squarely a MAGA Republican Party, which is evidenced by the fact J.D. Vance was selected as vice president instead of a more traditional-establishment Republican.

“The events of the convention, including Trump’s speech, also are designed to be repackaged for ads and social media. So, although Trump’s speech was long, it contains sound bites and imagery that will be used in the election for campaign materials,” Myers said. “We’re already seeing that on social for Republican Party posts that contain clips on issues such as the economy, trade, immigration, and crime. The image of Trump kissing the helmet of Corey Comperatore, the man killed during the assassination attempt, will be replayed on social and in media accounts. It likely will be used throughout the election along with the iconic image of Trump with a raised fist to underscore Trump’s strength and kindness. 

“The RNC was overall a success,” Myers said. “Conventions are supposed to solidify a presidential candidates' base and unify the party. The Democrats are struggling with unity because of calls to remove Biden from the ticket. The longer that infighting goes on the weaker the campaign will be either for Biden or whoever the eventual nominee will be. History supports the idea that the longer a campaign waits to select a candidate the weaker that eventual candidate’s campaign will be in the general election. 

“However, the race is not over. A lot can happen before November.”

Karen Hult on Trump’s speech

“The first 15 minutes or so were much as Trump predicted, outlining a theme of unity and a somewhat calmer, humbler tone — if delivered in a monotone,” Hult said. “A somewhat more combative former president slowly emerged, as at points he seemed to move off script and return to not fully connected lines from his rallies.

“It’s likely worth remembering that this speech was at least partially redrafted and delivered just days after a traumatic event, which included a head injury,” Hult said. “Moreover, convention speeches are delivered before supportive partisan audiences, from whom speakers like the former president evidently draws energy and enthusiasm.

“The length and scheduled time of the speech likely meant that many who watched the beginning did not listen to the entire speech — which ended as midnight drew near in the Eastern time zone. Those viewers and listeners may have come away with a different impression than those who stayed tuned,” Hult said.

“This strikes me in retrospect as a curious reversal of President Biden’s debate performance, which began quite poorly and became somewhat better as the debate moved forward, and fewer listened and watched,” Hult said. “Here, for viewers who are less supportive of the former president or less knowledgeable or interested in politics, they have seen evidence of greater unity.

“For many Democrats and Trump opponents, the speech may signal that it remains possible to challenge and beat the former president,” Hult said.

Find more Virginia Tech election experts here.

About Hult  
Hult, professor of political science at Virginia Tech, serves on the faculty of the School of Public and International Affairs’ Center for Public Administration and Policy, with expertise in the U.S. presidency, federal and state politics, policy and governance, and federal and state courts. Read her full bio here.

About Myers  
Myers, director of graduate studies at the School of Communication in the College of Liberal Arts and Human Sciences, specializes in media history, political communication, and laws that affect public relations practice. Read his full bio here.

Schedule an interview  
To schedule an interview, contact Mike Allen in the media relations office at mike.allen@vt.edu or 540-400-1700.

 

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