Trump’s Profane Turn and the Shifting Norms of U.S. Political Speech

Since the start of his second term, former President Donald Trump has repeatedly inserted profanity into public statements. The pattern extends beyond Trump: Vice-president JD Vance has used the word “shit” in speeches and on social media, while Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has described past military practices as “that shit.”

The Guardian

Political scientists link the surge in vulgarity to declining public trust. Joseph Phillips of Trinity College Dublin notes that “the incentive for politicians to use profanity comes from a change in how people view the profession,” emphasizing that election prospects now outweigh concerns about institutional esteem. Benjamin Bergen, a cognitive-science professor at UC San Diego, warns that the current “strident time of political disagreement” could normalize profanity even in traditionally formal settings such as State of the Union addresses. Historical precedents—Lyndon Johnson, Richard Nixon, and George W. Bush—show that earlier presidents used profanity privately, but modern media exposure makes such language a public tool.

The Guardian

The proliferation of coarse language may erode perceived respect for political institutions. Phillips cautions that “the incentive of an individual politician is probably not to regain the esteem of the profession, but instead to ensure their own election or re-election,” suggesting a trade-off between personal branding and collective trust. Bergen adds that language norms are “just changing,” but predicts a possible pendulum swing if future generations reject the habit.

The Guardian

• “All this cursing in politics, we never heard that before,” — Cheryl Johnson

The Guardian

• “President Trump doesn’t have a very strong sense of decorum,” — Michael Adams, of Indiana University

The Guardian

• “The incentive for politicians to use profanity [comes from] a change in how people view the profession,” — Joseph Phillips

The Guardian

• “The incentive of an individual politician is probably not to regain the esteem of the profession, but instead to ensure their own election or re-election,” — Joseph Phillips

The Guardian

• “I don’t see any reason why there’s anything special about a State of the Union address or a speech in front of the UN, or anything like that,” — Getty Images Benjamin Bergen

The Guardian