Marsh on President’s use of polyvocal messaging
Jessica A. Floyd, writing for Ebony, reports on President Donald J. Trump’s skillful use of polyvocal messaging. During his State of the Union address, the President celebrated the release from prison of two African-Americans through criminal justice reforms. Faculty Associate Kris Marsh focused on President Trump’s nonverbal cues and commented that “Trump’s guest selection served as nods to his base.” Dr. Marsh noted, “You have two drug dealers up there that are Black. You’ve spoken directly to your base without speaking a word about it,” Marsh said. “In one breath, we want to celebrate these two getting out of jail, but to his base, it reinforces the notions of crime, drug dealers, the immigrants and these people of color without him having to say anything at all” Marsh added.