Rhetorical analysis of Political Cartoon Trump the Media and Republicans
The Political Cartoon entitled Trump the Media and Republicans is a visual address to the impact Donald Trump is having on the way the American people and media are viewing the upcoming election. Artist Daryl Cagle uses his cartoon to illustrate the ridiculousness of the media specific interest with Trump and therefore the American people’s interest as well. Through closer examination of this visual rhetoric, the argument can be better understood and the impact determined.
Political cartoons have been a specific media outlet dating back to the beginning of our country, and like most other political cartoons, this illustration is also targeted at the American people. With this audience in mind, Mr. Cagle attempts to change their opinions to a more liberal viewpoint. By displaying Donald Trump in an unflattering manner he implants the ideal that he does not look like a president to viewers. This subconscious thought can often influence the opinions and vote of those participating in elections. This idea is evident in the 1960 presidential debate and election where John F. Kennedy defeated Richard Nixon in the minds of visual viewers, while Nixon won in the audio viewers. Just looking Presidential can often have a great impact on the election.
To further display his Liberal view, Cagle shows how the conservative media and supporters are more interested in the controversial comments of Donald Trump rather than the actual Republican Party. This is illustrated first by the media characters all facing Trump with their attention far from Republican Party which is displayed as the outraged elephant behind them all. The other confirmation is the addition of the signs that the media are holding. With such lines as “Say something stupid” and “Insult Megyn Kelly” it easily shown that the media is only interested in the foolish comments made by Trump that draw in viewers, instead of focusing on the real aspects of the Republican party.
Through this cartoon, Daryl Cagle is displaying his Liberal viewpoint by attempting to show Donald Trump and the republican media as ridiculous. It is easy to see that the argument made is that of the irrationalness of the media. We as a country need to be more interested in the development and views of all presidential candidates and their respective parties, rather than the entertaining aspects of Donald Trump. The entire country will be affected by the election and Daryl Cagle for one would not like to see Donald Trump in the White House.
