One main finding of this analysis is that, in a vacuum, Trump’s image repair statement reflected mostly rhetorically consistent strategies and tactics. Even after revelations that some of Trump’s image repair statements were untrue, Trump’s effort seemed to function as a pivot mechanism, shifting attention toward a larger fight between Trump and the media and distracting from the offensive act.

Michael Parsons & Josh Compton

One main finding of this analysis is that, in a vacuum, Trump’s image repair statement reflected mostly rhetorically consistent strategies and tactics. Even after revelations that some of Trump’s image repair statements were untrue, Trump’s effort seemed to function as a pivot mechanism, shifting attention toward a larger fight between Trump and the media and distracting from the offensive act.

Parsons, M., & Compton, J. (2019, March). Image attacks, image repair, and rhetorical pivots: Trump’s image repair effort after attacks for mocking a journalist’s disability [presentation]. Character Assassination and Reputation Politics Conference, Arlington, VA, United States.