Speech Given by Donald Trump in Washington, Speech Example

September 9, 2015 speech given by Donald Trump in Washington, D.C.

Political speech, especially ones given during a presidential campaign, is often fraught with ethical violations. In a speech given by Donald Trump at a rally in Washington D.C. against the Iran nuclear deal, there were many instances of unethical speech, such as constant negative comments against others, jokes at the expense of others and presenting half-truths and exaggerations in order to instill fear and anger in the audience.

Trump was among one of the Republican presidential candidates speaking at the rally, which was addressing the issues over the Iran nuclear deal. Both Trump and Ted Cruz were speaking on the deal, saying it will cost “countless U.S. And Israeli lives.” Both Trump and Cruz slammed the deal, saying those who support it will have “blood on their hands.” Both of these statements instill fear in the audience and are only meant to fear-monger (Lucas 33-36).

Trump at one point in the speech said, speaking of current leaders in Washington, “We are led by very, very stupid people. Very, very stupid people.” This speech highlights the unethical aspect of negative and disparaging comments toward others (Millner & Price 3-10). Public speaking should be respectful and avoid negative language.

Also, many half-truths and lies were presented during the speech. Trump said at one point that nuclear conflict would be inevitable if the deal were to pass, also “never ever, ever in my life have I seen any transaction so incompetently negotiated as our deal with Iran. And I mean never,” Trump’s statements are absolutist and hyperbolic, which are overly dramatic and not based in truth or reality. These statements are unethical because the language is dishonest. (Lucas 34-36).

Works Cited

CSPAN. “Donald Trump on Iran Nuclear Agreement.” Online video clip. YouTube, 9 September 2015 Web. 24 September 2015

Lucas, Stephen E. The art of public speaking. International Book Publishing Company, 2008.

Millner, Alyssa G. & Rachel D. Price. Ethics in Public Speaking. The Public Speaking Project, 2011.