| Title: | Stylistic and Ideological Discrepancies in Donald Trump's Presidential Campaigns (2016-2024): A Study of Campaign Songs : master's thesis |
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| Authors: | ID Kolar, Kristian (Author)
ID Kennedy, Victor (Mentor) More about this mentor... 
ID Plemenitaš, Katja (Comentor) |
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| Files: |  MAG_Kolar_Kristian_2026.pdf (1,61 MB)
MD5: 6662D5FFDF339BAF06896F1ED365E22B
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| Language: | English |
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| Work type: | Master's thesis/paper |
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| Typology: | 2.09 - Master's Thesis |
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| Organization: | FF - Faculty of Arts
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| Abstract: | This master's thesis explores stylistic and ideological contradictions in Donald Trump's presidential campaigns through the lens of the campaign songs used at his rallies. The study first defines music as a crucial tool for political mobilization and defines its potency as a medium for associative and political branding. The thesis also provides a historical overview of American campaign music from George Washington's era of practically non-existent copyright laws to "I Like Ike" slogans of the 1950s, and finally the embrace of the popular music in the late 20th century.
The core analysis focuses on the yet unprecedented friction between the Trump campaign and the music industry, as over 50 artists have objected to Trump's use of their work. Through purposive sampling, the thesis stylistically analyses five prominent songs, such as "Fortunate Son" and "Born in the U.S.A." and reveals deep ironies, in which poignant themes of tax evasion, post-Vietnam veteran mistreatment and the critique of foreign interventionism clash directly with Trump's personal history and presidential policies.
Finally, a critical discourse analysis of media coverage (including Fox News, Rolling Stone, and the BBC) aims to demonstrate how public perception of song disputes are framed. The thesis concludes that while musical misappropriation is a historical trend in the United States, Trump's campaigns have elevated this practice to an unprecedented level of controversy, contributing to the already present political polarization in the American public sphere. |
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| Keywords: | Donald Trump, political campaign, campaign songs, critical discourse analysis, stylistic analysis |
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| Geographic coverage: | Združene države Amerike; 2016-2024; |
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| Place of publishing: | Maribor |
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| Place of performance: | Maribor |
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| Publisher: | K. Kolar |
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| Year of publishing: | 2026 |
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| Number of pages: | 1 spletni vir (1 datoteka PDF (X, 76 str.)) |
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| PID: | 20.500.12556/DKUM-97711 |
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| UDC: | 81'42:324Trump D.:78"2016/2024"(043.2) |
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| COBISS.SI-ID: | 278022147 |
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| Publication date in DKUM: | 13.05.2026 |
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| Views: | 166 |
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| Downloads: | 24 |
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| Metadata: |    |
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| Categories: | FF
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