LINGUISTIC FEATURES OF POLITICAL DISCOURSE: A COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF THE SPEECHES OF DONALD TRUMP AND SHAVKAT MIRZIYOYEV

Abstract

Political discourse serves as a powerful tool for shaping public opinion, constructing national identity, and legitimizing political authority. This study investigates the linguistic and stylistic features of political discourse in the speeches of two contemporary political leaders: Donald Trump and Shavkat Mirziyoyev. The research analyzes lexical choices, rhetorical devices, and persuasive strategies used in Trump’s 2025 inaugural speech and Mirziyoyev’s address to the Oliy Majlis and the people of Uzbekistan. The study employs discourse analysis and stylistic analysis to identify key linguistic patterns in both speeches. The findings demonstrate that both politicians employ rhetorical repetition, inclusive pronouns, evaluative vocabulary, and national identity constructions to influence their audiences. However, the speeches differ significantly in tone and communicative focus: Trump’s discourse emphasizes political struggle, national revival, and confrontation with perceived challenges, while Mirziyoyev’s speech highlights economic development, social reforms, and collective progress. The results contribute to a deeper understanding of cross-cultural political discourse and the role of language in political persuasion.