Hi there,
What’s the Story?
Well, I did it. 26.2 miles through the streets of New York City. Given the injuries I faced along the journey with this 46-year-old body, this was the toughest physical experience I’ve gone through to date. I’m going to do a full video on the experience on Thursday and a newsletter about it next week so keep an eye out for that.
If you would like to donate to the charity RISE AGAINST HUNGER that I am raising money for… I’m still collecting for the next few days so you can do so here. A big thank you to all those who have donated and for all your support! It is much appreciated.
In other news, this is a big week across America as millions of people go to the polls. Below, I continue from last week’s article on identifying the persuasive tools used by Trump and Harris in the election. This week I focus on their storytelling skills and how they use logical fallacies to win votes. You can also check out the latest podcast episode where I go even deeper on this here (video.owenfitzpatrick.com).
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The Art of Persuasion – How Kamala Harris and Donald Trump Pull the Strings
Estimated reading time: 4 minutes 53 seconds
Let’s talk about the puppet show we call politics. Two characters, Kamala Harris and Donald Trump, are front and center in a bid to persuade millions of Americans to make them the next President of the United States.
While their personalities and policies couldn’t be more different, they actually use many similar methods of persuasion in their speeches.
Both use potent storytelling techniques and slippery rhetorical strategies to craft a narrative where they’re the savior, and their opponent is the one threatening to pull the curtain down on the future.
This analysis pulls back the veil to expose the storytelling and logical fallacies embedded in their speeches. I look specifically at the DNC speech delivered by Harris and the RNC speech delivered by Trump. You can find a transcript online easily enough.
The Art of Storytelling: How to Make a Tale Stick
1. Personal Anecdotes: Making It Real, Making It Relatable
The stories they tell are calculated tools to forge a connection.
Harris evokes her mother’s journey from India to the U.S., pursuing a dream in science, a narrative that plays into the American ethos of resilience and the “land of opportunity.”
Trump, on the other hand, recounts a dramatic tale of an assassination attempt, painting himself as a target of danger—and, of course, the hero who rises above it.
These stories use what’s known as the identifiable victim effect—when a tale is specific, vivid, and real, it hits harder. Suddenly, it’s not just policy; it’s personal.
2. Emotional Resonance: Hit Them Where It Hurts
Why do we remember some speeches and not others? Because some strike the right emotional chords.
Trump’s assassination story conjures a visceral image of danger and survival, stirring loyalty and fear.
Meanwhile, Harris evokes themes of parental wisdom and shared struggle, drawing on her mother’s teachings.
Both candidates use these stories to humanize themselves while stirring the pot of shared values.
3. Narrative Structure: The Arc vs. The Cliffhanger
Harris builds her speeches like a novel, guiding the audience through her past, professional triumphs, and a vision for tomorrow. It’s structured, it’s safe, it’s the promise of a better chapter.
Trump, however, plays with suspense—his speeches are less about a steady arc and more about the cliffhangers. It’s a series of battles with villains and victories, where conflict rules and danger looms. It’s reality TV in real life.
4. Relatable Characters: Everyday Heroes or Simplified Props?
Trump brings in the common man or woman, like the Nevada waitress he met, casting her as a key player in his movement against the elites.
Harris talks about figures from her past like Mrs. Shelton, her “second mother,” to build a narrative of community and belonging.
The characters they choose to spotlight aren’t random—they’re mirrors, reflecting the values the candidates want to be associated with.
5. Vision of the Future: Choose Wisely, or Else
For the story of America, Harris promises inclusivity, middle-class growth, and a restoration of rights. It’s an optimistic vision, but one framed as a clear alternative to chaos.
Trump’s future is about a triumphant return to past greatness—order restored, borders secured. It’s less about hope and more about a promise of resurgence, draped in the American flag.
The Art of Distortion: Playing the Game of Logical Fallacies
Logical fallacies are where something sounds like a fact but isn’t. They’re the tools of persuasion when truth alone won’t suffice. Here’s how both Trump and Harris use them.
1. The Straw Man Fallacy: Building a Fake Opponent to Knock Down
Harris simplifies Trump’s role on January 6th, framing it as a direct incitement to violence.
Trump deflects, dismissing investigations as “witch hunts,” reducing them to partisan tactics with no legitimate basis.
It’s not about nuance—it’s about setting up a straw man you can easily strike down.
2. The False Dilemma: Pick a Side or Perish
The election, they say, is a choice between good and evil.
Trump frames it as “rise together” with him or watch America crumble.
Harris says it’s a decision between chaos with Trump or stability with her.
Each side simplifies reality, presenting a binary world where there’s only one right choice.
3. The Slippery Slope: The Thin Edge of Disaster
Harris warns that Trump’s re-election will lead to authoritarian measures, while Trump claims continued Democratic control spells destruction.
It’s the classic “what if” taken to extremes. Take one step, and suddenly you’re sliding uncontrollably toward the apocalypse.
4. Ad Hominem Attacks: Because Character Assassination Is Easier than Policy Debate
“Crazy Nancy,” “Sleepy Joe,” and “unserious Trump”—the labels get thrown around as substitutes for actual discussion.
Both candidates opt for personal jabs when it’s more effective to paint their opponent as unfit rather than engage with their policies.
5. Appeal to Fear: The Ultimate Motivator
Harris warns of a Trump with “no guardrails.” Trump warns of World War III.
Both know that nothing compels action like a looming threat. It’s not about policies, it’s about survival.
The Polarization Effect: Us vs. Them
Here’s the real game—they’re not just selling ideas, they’re selling sides. By portraying the election as a battle for the soul of the nation, each candidate pushes us further into our ideological bunkers.
It’s no longer about policies or principles—it’s about heroes and villains.
The Takeaway: Don’t Just Listen—Decode
We’re being played. Not necessarily by bad people, but by master persuaders using techniques that go back centuries.
Recognize that what you’re hearing isn’t just rhetoric—it’s a performance designed to guide your thoughts and actions.
As election day looms, remember that critical thinking is your best defense. Examine the words, identify the techniques, and question the narratives.
For a deeper dive into this, check out the podcast episode here.
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The Brain Prompt
Next time you hear a candidate speak, dissect their message. Ask yourself:
Is this story relatable or exaggerated for effect?
Does this argument hold up under scrutiny?
Look for emotional hooks, binary choices, or slippery slopes. Train your brain to question narratives, not just accept them.
Want to learn more? Subscribe to the Inner Propaganda newsletter for weekly insights on language, influence, and the art of persuasion: owenfitzpatrick.com/newsletter.
Cheers,
Owen.
