Presidential rhetoric has degraded from elevating discourse to divisive demagoguery, harming democratic norms
Source: Eliot A. Cohen. "The Degraded State of the Union - The Atlantic." February 26, 2026. www.theatlantic.com
The Gist
The author argues that presidential speeches used to inspire and unite people, like Lincoln's famous Cooper Union address, but Trump's speeches are divisive and dishonest, making political discourse worse. Future presidents need to return to more dignified, respectful ways of speaking to help heal the country.
Conclusion
Presidential oratory has degraded from Lincoln's elevating, high-minded rhetoric to Trump's divisive demagoguery, and future presidents must restore dignity to presidential speech to serve the emotionally battered country
Premises
- Lincoln's Cooper Union address exemplified presidential rhetoric at its best - high-minded, fair, serious, and elevating to audiences
- Trump's 2026 State of the Union represents the opposite - mendacious demagoguery that degrades listeners and debauches their instincts
- Trump ignored serious national challenges (deficit, Social Security, China, technology disruptions) in favor of self-aggrandizement and partisan attacks
- Recent presidents before Trump also engaged in partisan attacks and used citizens as 'human props,' showing this degradation predates Trump
- Kennedy's 1963 State of the Union demonstrates that dignified, balanced presidential rhetoric without partisan attacks is achievable by normal politicians
- The American people deserve and want better rhetoric, being exhausted by partisan poison
- Dignity, gravity, and respect in presidential speech elicit the same qualities in response from the public
Assumptions
- Presidential rhetoric has the power to elevate or degrade public discourse and democratic norms
- Historical examples of presidential speech provide valid standards for evaluating contemporary rhetoric
- The public's response to rhetoric reflects the quality and character of that rhetoric
- Presidential speech should serve national rather than purely partisan purposes
- The tone and character of presidential communication significantly impacts the health of democratic institutions