A Critical Discourse Analysis in the Trump-Zelenskyy Diplomatic Conversation
Abstract
The diplomatic meeting between U.S. President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on March 1, 2025, serves as a critical case study of power dynamics within international relations. This research investigates the linguistic domination exerted by President Trump during the interaction, positing that the conversation reflects a significant power asymmetry rather than a balanced negotiation. Utilizing Norman Fairclough’s three-dimensional Critical Discourse Analysis (CDA) framework, this study analyzes the official transcript of the Oval Office meeting through three interrelated dimensions: textual analysis (investigating six key linguistic indicators: control of turn-taking, framing, presupposition, repetition, linguistic coercion, and evaluative labeling), discursive practice (examining turn-taking patterns and topic control), and social practice (connecting these features to the "America First" ideology and U.S. geopolitical hegemony). The analysis reveals that President Trump strategically employs specific linguistic mechanisms—such as interruptions, framing, and assertive rhetoric—to steer the dialogue, impose his agenda, and reinforce his authority over Zelenskyy. Consequently, this study demonstrates how high-level diplomatic discourse functions as an instrument of power, reproducing dominance and sustaining political hierarchies through language.