Citizen University

To speak of rhetoric today is to speak of a force that shapes our politics and our identities. The main argument is that the American experiment relies on words, not just to persuade, but also to build public life and connect citizens. This is not the first time the nation has faced a rhetorical crisis. Previous eras, such as the McCarthy period or the Civil Rights era, were also marked by battles over public speech, truth, and belonging. Just as then, this foundation faces serious challenges today. Public language is destabilizing, personality cults are growing, and democratic norms are eroding. As a result, speech now serves mostly to confront, not to understand.

Trump as an instructive figure matters. He matters not just for what he has said and done. He matters for what his rise reveals about our collective appetites: a desire to use sacred language and symbols for political ends. Invoking sacred language for political aims is not new. Yet, today's openness blurs boundaries between state power and religious authority. Public rallies now look like religious ceremonies. They feature hymns of allegiance and faith in a leader. The use of theological symbols in politics shows how spiritual longing and public confession sanctify power.