Rhetorical Battle at the Un: Trump Versus Prabowo
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.38035/ijam.v4i3.1412Keywords:
Political Communication, Rhetorical Battle, Donald Trump, Prabowo Subianto, AristotleAbstract
This study aims to analyze the Rhetorical Battle at the UN between Trump and Prabowo Subianto. This study uses Aristotle's Rhetorical Theory, with the assumptions: Ethos, Pathos and Logos. The research method is Qualitative research, with an Interpretive paradigm, by viewing social reality as a construction rich in meaning and interpretation referring to the style, narrative, and logic built by the two figures. Research and observations were conducted before and after the 80th UN General Assembly in 2025. The results of the study show that Trump as an American leader, in terms of Ethos is considered to have many shortcomings, due to various cases before becoming Head of State for the second time in 2025.
Meanwhile, Prabowo Subianto is supposed to have several violations related to his position, but there are no personal violations. From the Pathos side, namely expertise on stage, both Heads of State are considered skilled, both in terms of affirming ideas, and their respective delivery methods. The speeches made by both heads of state are considered representative with good capabilities. In terms of Logos, or the thoughts expressed, both heads of state displayed well-organized main points, each with its own concerns. Trump highlighted his prowess as a "superpower" leader, world peace, and climate change;. At the same time, Prabowo Subianto emphasized independence, freedom, equal rights, protection of children in war-torn countries, and the role of the UN in creating a peaceful world for all citizens.
References
Blumell, Lindsey & Huemmer, Jennifer. (2019). Reassessing balance: News coverage of Donald Trump’s Access Hollywood Scandal Before and During #metoo, SAGE Publications, City Research Online, University of London Institutional Repository, pp. 1-19.
CNNIndonesia. (2025). Donald Trump Resmi Dilantik Jadi Presiden ke-47 AS, accessed on, October 20th 2025,by: https://www.cnnindonesia.com/internasional/20250120234342-134-1189414/donald-trump-resmi-dilantik-jadi-presiden-ke-47-as
Dama, Yunus; Monoarfa, Frediyanto; Arjoyo, Rahmatia; Djalilu, Yusrin; Abdullah, Fendra Amellia; Hino, Karmila; Mokoagow, Syakil. (2025). Analisis Retorika Pidato Prabowo Subianto Pada Pelantikan Presiden Tahun 2024-2029 (Kajian Teori Retorika Aristoteles), Jurnal Bahasa, Sastra, dan Budaya, Vol. 15(1), pp. 100-111.
Detiknews. (2025). Prabowo Pidato Urutan Ketiga di Sidang Umum PBB, Apa Maknanya? accessed on, October 20th 2025,by: https://news.detik.com/kolom/d-8124814/prabowo-pidato-urutan-ketiga-di-sidang-umum-pbb-apa-maknanya.
Dewi, Alifa Cantika. (2023). Pengaruh Pidato Soekarno To Build The World a New pada Sidang Majelis Umum PBB Tahun 1960, Thesis, Bandar Lampung: Universitas Bandar Lampung.
Garver, Eugene. (2018). Aristotle’s Rhetoric on Rhetoric’s Definition and Limits, Revue Internationale de Philosophie, Vol. 72, No. 286 (4), pp. 333-360.
GoRiau.com. (2014). Ini Alasan Prabowo Kabur ke Yordania Pasca Kerusuhan Mei 1998, accessed on Ocotber 20th 2025, by: https://goriau.com/ragam/ini-alasan-prabowo-kabur-ke-yordania-pasca-kerusuhan-mei-1998.html
Habinek, Thomas. (2017). Ancient Rhetoric: From Aristotle to Philostratus, United Kingdom: Penguin Books, Limited.
Herrisck, James A. (2017). The History and Theory of Rhetoric: An Introduction, Oxfordshire, Inggris: Routledge.
Hesk, J. P. (2009). “Types of Oratory.” In E. Gunderson (Ed.), The Cambridge Companion to Ancient Rhetoric (pp. 145-161). Cambridge University Press.
IKNnews. (2025). 10 Negara Terkuat di Dunia, Amerika Serikat Tetap Adikuasa, accessed on October 17th 2025,by: https://iknpos.id/2025/02/10-negara-terkuat-di-dunia-amerika-serikat-tetap-adikuasa/
Jakartasatu.com. (2025). Prabowo “Kucing Asia Tenggara”, accessed on October 20th 2025, by: https://jakartasatu.com/2025/08/12/prabowo-kucing-asia-tenggara/
Kementerian Sekretariat Negara. (2024). Pidato Presiden Prabowo Subianto pada Sidang Paripurna MPR RI dalam rangka Pelantikan Presiden dan Wakil Presiden RI Terpilih Periode 2024-2029, accessed on October 20th 2025, by: https://setneg.go.id/baca/index/pidato_presiden_prabowo_subianto_pada_sidang_paripurna_mpr_ri_dalam_rangka_pelantikan_presiden_dan_wakil_presiden_ri_terpilih_periode_2024_2029
Kennedy, Ruth R. The Power of in-class Debates, Active Learning in Higher Education-Sage Journals, Vol. 10(3), pp. 225–236.
Kompas.com. (2023). Hari-hari Lengsernya Soeharto Setelah 32 Tahun Menjabat Presiden, accessed on October 17th 2025, by: https://www.kompas.com/tren/read/2023/05/21/070000265/hari-hari-lengsernya-soeharto-setelah-32-tahun-menjabat-presiden
Kompas.com. (2024). Jejak Prabowo di Pilpres, Akhirnya Jadi Presiden, accessed on October 20th 2025, by: https://www.kompas.com/tren/read/2024/04/24/120804065/jejak-prabowo-di-pilpres-akhirnya-jadi-presiden-usai-3-kali-kalah?page=2.
Odiyaiwuu.com. (2025). Kapankah Prabowo Subianto Menjadi “Macan Asia”?, accessed on October 20th 2025, by: https://www.odiyaiwuu.com/kapankah-prabowo-subianto-menjadi-macan-asia/
Robson, Ruthann. (2020). The Sexual Misconduct of Donald J. Trump: Toward A Misogyny Report, Michigan Journal of Gender & Law, Vol. 27(1), pp. 81-148.
Rubinelli, Sara. (2018). Style, Persuasion and Virtue in Aristotle’s Rhetoric, Revue Internationale de Philosophie, Vol. 72, No. 286 (4), pp. 361-374.
Samatan, Nuriyati. (2018). Riset Komunikasi II. Jakarta: Penerbit Gunadarma.
Taufik & Pratiwi, Sundari Ayu. (2021). American First: Kebijakan Donald Trump dalam Pembatasan Kaum Imigran Ke Amerika Serikat, Intermestic: Journal of International Studies, Vol. 6(1), pp. 221-241.
Tempo.co. (2025). Sejarah Prabowo Mendirikan Partai Gerindra, Pernah Diejek dan Dihina, accessed on October 20th Oktober, 2025, by: https://www.tempo.co/politik/sejarah-prabowo-mendirikan-partai-gerindra-pernah-diejek-dan-dihina-1206956
Visimuslim.org. (2025). Dampak Kepresidenan Trump terhadap Umat Islam dan Komunitas Muslim, accessed on October 20th 2025, by: https://news.visimuslim.org/2025/01/dampak-kepresidenan-trump-terhadap-umat.html
Downloads
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2025 Selamat Ginting
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
Authors who publish their manuscripts in this journal agree to the following conditions:
- The copyright on each article belongs to the author(s).
- The author acknowledges that the International Journal of Advanced Multidisciplinary (IJAM) has the right to be the first to publish with a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International license (Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0).
- Authors can submit articles separately, arrange for the non-exclusive distribution of manuscripts that have been published in this journal into other versions (e.g., sent to the author's institutional repository, publication into books, etc.), by acknowledging that the manuscript has been published for the first time in the International Journal of Advanced Multidisciplinary (IJAM).
