Rhetorical visions presented in Donald J. Trump's political speeches and their influence on the social realities of the participants in the January 6th, 2021 Capitol Riot

Abstract

The January 6, 2021, attempted take-over of the Capitol Building in Washington, D.C. is unprecedented in recent history. This was widely covered by media outlets in the United States and the world. Applying Symbolic Convergence Theory research identifies fantasy themes and rhetorical visions presented in four of former U.S. President Donald J. Trump's speeches that were ultimately shared by his supporters who stormed the Capitol Building. The four speeches were broadcast and streamed live via television and Internet platforms. Established media providers archived Trump's speeches and were subsequently used as source material. This thesis reveals how fantasy themes and rhetorical visions chained out from the symbolic realities found in Trump's speeches to rioters and protestors.