Full Breakdown
The Strategic Use of Humor in American Political Discourse
1/24/2026, 7:43:10 PM
Overview of the Study
Recent research led by Beer Prakken, a PhD candidate at the University of Groningen, reveals that humor has become a strategic tool in American political discourse, particularly among figures like Donald Trump and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. Published in The European Journal of Humour Research, the study analyzes how humor is employed to attack opponents and solidify support bases, marking a shift from traditional views of political comedy as a force for democracy.
Key Findings on Humor Styles
Prakken's analysis focused on a specific timeframe in May 2019, examining 498 tweets and three major campaign speeches—two from Trump rallies in Florida and Pennsylvania, and one from Ocasio-Cortez's rally on the Green New Deal in Washington, D.C. The study categorized humor into four styles: aggressive, affiliative, self-promoting, and self-defeating. Trump averaged 1.2 humorous moments per minute during his speeches, with 92 percent of his humorous tweets classified as aggressive. In contrast, Ocasio-Cortez used minimal humor in her live speech but incorporated humor in approximately 29 percent of her tweets, predominantly in an aggressive manner.
The Role of Aggressive Humor
Both Trump and Ocasio-Cortez utilize aggressive humor as a rhetorical strategy to belittle opponents and foster in-group loyalty. This dynamic creates a bond between the politician and their followers, as shared laughter at a common enemy reinforces group identity. Prakken identifies this as "Humorous Political Rhetoric," which serves to deflect responsibility for controversial statements by framing them as jokes. For example, Trump's comments about identifying terrorists by appearance masked underlying racial profiling, while Ocasio-Cortez defended a hyperbolic economic statement as "dry humor," shifting focus from factual accuracy to the absurdity of her critics.
The Concept of "Dark Play"
Prakken introduces the concept of "dark play," where deceptive humor normalizes radical ideas. This humor can serve as a testing ground for extreme proposals; if reactions are negative, politicians can dismiss them as jokes, while positive reactions can lend legitimacy to these ideas. Trump's jokes about extending presidential term limits exemplify this ambiguity, blurring the lines between playful exaggeration and serious intent. The study suggests that such humor can lead to radicalization, both among supporters and the politicians themselves.
Implications and Future Research
Prakken emphasizes the need for further research to understand humor's role in political radicalization, particularly in the context of far-right movements. He plans to interview supporters to explore their perceptions of humorous messages and investigate figures who blend comedy with extremist ideologies. The study concludes that while humor can mobilize political support, it also raises questions about the normalization of radical ideas in public discourse.
Official Statements & Responses
Prakken asserts, “Humor is not only used strategically... it can transform playful intentions into more serious actions amongst supporters and Trump himself.” He clarifies that the study does not advocate for banning political humor but aims to analyze the positive emotions within far-right movements, which are often framed through anger or fear.
Verbatim Quotes
- “To be clear: I do not propose that we should ban politician’s humor, or any political speech for that matter,” — Beer Prakken, PhD Candidate
This study highlights the evolving role of humor in political rhetoric, suggesting that it is a powerful tool that can influence public perception and political dynamics in contemporary America.
