Persuasion vs Propaganda
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“Propaganda is to a democracy what the bludgeon is to a totalitarian state.”
~ Noam Chomsky
In 1961, John Kennedy stood before a large crowd on a very cold day in January and uttered his clarion call, "Ask not what your country can do for you — ask what you can do for your country." Kennedy's challenge spurred many to become more active in politics and civic life, including volunteering for campaigns and participating in social movements. With its emphasis on action and shared responsibility, he instilled a sense of hope and optimism. Another common response was that contributing to the country meant being a good citizen, obeying laws, and being honest and moral, rather than necessarily engaging in specific acts of public service.
Kennedy understood the power of persuasion.
Persuasion
While presidents may have opinions and policy directions, the truly effective presidents have used the power of persuasion. Teddy Roosevelt called it the Bully Pulpit. (Up until now) we have lived in a free society governed by the law and the Constitution, yet Americans have traditionally been generous and self-sacrificing without laws mandating it.
For example, the Peace Corps began with a candidate’s power of persuasion in an unexpected moment and impromptu speech in 1960 at 2:00am at the University of Michigan.
After a day of campaigning for the presidency, Senator John F. Kennedy arrived at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor on October 14, 1960, at 2:00 a.m., to get some sleep - not to propose the establishment of an international volunteer organization. Members of the press had retired for the night, believing that nothing interesting would happen.
But 10,000 students at the university were waiting to hear the presidential candidate speak, and it was there on the steps of the Michigan Union that a bold new experiment in public service was launched. The assembled students heard the future president issue a challenge: How many of them, he asked, would be willing to serve their country and the cause of peace by living and working in countries like Ghana, which had gained its independence from the United Kingdom only three years earlier?
The reaction was both swift and enthusiastic and, since 1961, over 240,000 Americans have responded to this enduring challenge. Since then, the Peace Corps has demonstrated how the power of an idea can capture the imagination of an entire nation.
Following up on the idea he launched at the University of Michigan, President Kennedy signed an executive order establishing the Peace Corps on March 1, 1961. Three days later, R. Sargent Shriver became its first Director. Deployment was rapid: Volunteers began serving in five countries in 1961. In just under six years, Director Shriver developed programs in 55 countries with more than 14,500 Volunteers. (source: The Peace Corps)
Franklin Roosevelt was also a master at the art of persuasion.
"This generation of Americans has a rendezvous with destiny."
Roosevelt's radio "fireside chats" were a revolutionary way to connect with the American people, fostering a sense of intimacy and trust and allowing him to explain his policies directly to the public.
The mobilization of the United States during 1941-1945 was unprecedented and pretty remarkable. If you haven’t read No Ordinary Times by Doris Kearns Goodwin, I recommend it. The book is about the Roosevelts' roles in uniting the nation, expanding support for the war effort, and navigating the challenges of a global conflict. It emphasizes their impact on American society, ultimately during a pivotal moment in our history.
Ronald Reagan was a master persuader and communicator. In 1986, the Space Shuttle Challenger had exploded shortly after take-off. Those who recall the disaster also remember the speech that President Reagan delivered that evening. He spoke to the nation’s children, for many of whom the event was probably their first experience of a national loss. And he spoke to the nation as a whole. “The future doesn’t belong to the faint-hearted,” he said. “The future belongs to the brave.”
President Reagan’s speech has long been considered a masterwork of public rhetoric. With its plain language and quiet tone, it describes both the courage of the crew and the excruciating pain of losing them. It expressed Reagan’s genuine empathy and certainly with the calm sincerity he paid tribute to the crew and evoked a national period of mourning.
There are so many examples of how the power of the government and the presidency can encourage and persuade Americans to a noble cause greater than themselves.
"The mystic chords of memory, stretching from every battlefield and patriot grave to every living heart and hearthstone all over this land, will yet swell the chorus of the Union, when again touched, as surely they will be, by the better angels of our nature." ~Abraham Lincoln
Propaganda
But authoritarian governments tend to use another tool: propaganda. When does persuasion cross over to propaganda? Propaganda is designed to influence people's opinions, beliefs, or behavior, often through biased or misleading data; to persuade people often times through lies or misinformation. Propaganda has been used throughout history by governments, organizations, and individuals to advance their personal agendas.
One could say that Trump persuaded his January 6th mob to attack the capital. But he did it with lies and manipulation. While they believed the “election had been stolen,” there was no evidence of that fact. Trump used these people for himself - not for any noble or patriot cause. It was pure propaganda.
Our digital age has introduced new forms of propaganda, including online bots and algorithms that spread fake news and biased information. I’m always amazed at how gullible people are to propaganda. They see some post on Facebook without verifying it; they take it as fact and share it on their own pages. That’s how propaganda spreads. We all need to be aware of propaganda and its techniques by critically evaluating information and avoid being manipulated. We need to look for bias, emotional appeals, and inconsistencies in information.
We need to seek out multiple perspectives and verify facts from reliable sources.
Propaganda often presents information selectively, highlighting certain aspects while downplaying others, to create a desired impression.
It frequently uses emotionally charged language and imagery to evoke strong feelings rather than relying on logical reasoning.
Propaganda may exaggerate, simplify, or even falsify information to achieve its desired effect.
It's often tailored to specific groups or demographics, aiming to resonate with their existing values and beliefs.
We often see propaganda techniques used often with this administration. Trump attacks people (e.g., Chris Krebs, Liz Cheney, etc.) or groups (immigrants) using negative labels. He breeds resentment of others through demonizing and portraying himself as “one of them”… “I am your retribution.”
Public Service Advertising (PSA)
Persuasion through public service advertising goes way back in our country. I was looking at this site: A Brief History of Public Service Advertising and found it pretty interesting. The government first used PSAs during the Civil War. They sold government bonds via newspaper advertisements provided without charge and to raise money in support of the war effort. The first non-governmental ads that could be considered PSAs appeared in the early 1900s. Free ads were run to dramatize the outrages of child labor.
During World War II, the U.S. Office of War Information (OWI) Bureau of Graphics distributed millions of posters that conveyed encouraging, inspirational, and warning messages to the public. The posters urged men to join the military, women to join the workforce, and the general public to watch their words, lest foreign spies learn secrets that could injure the war effort.
We’re all familiar with the PSA campaign of the Rosie the Riveter from WWII. She became America’s wartime icon for women willing to roll up their sleeves and work in factories as a part of the war effort. Six million women moved into the workforce to replace the men and help manufacture war materiel. I’ve shared the story of my aunt who volunteered to fly military aircraft with the WASP.
Various government agencies have used televised PSAs to persuade American behavior. PSAs, broadcast without charge, are designed to educate and encourage positive behaviors within the public. They may have a partisan view, but they have been non-political. They often serve as reminders of important societal issues and promote positive change. I’m sure you’re familiar with some of these:
"Do you know where your children are?" This PSA was used to raise awareness about child safety and encourage parental supervision.
“This Is Your Brain on Drugs" This campaign used a clear message to deter drug use.
Others focused on drunk driving, smoking, texting while driving, and other public health concerns.
This is a PSA that was put out by the Obama Homeland Security Department (HSD) to persuade people to pay attention and to report human trafficking:
This is a recent PSA put out by Trump’s Homeland Security Department.
In my opinion, this isn’t persuasion. This is blatant propaganda.
You can check out all of the propaganda videos that are being produced with our tax dollars. And apparently we will be paying for more.
Homeland Security budgets $200m for new border ad campaign
The Department of Homeland Security has budgeted as much as $200 million for its new ad campaign warning migrants in the country illegally that “we will find you and deport you.”
DHS Secretary Kristi Noem announced the two-year “nationwide and international multimillion-dollar ad campaign,” which includes TV, radio and digital spots, on Monday evening. In the initial ad shared by Noem, she praises President Donald Trump for “securing the border” before telling migrants that “we will hunt you down” for breaking laws.
Propaganda is an important tool of authoritarian regimes. Trump and his enablers are experts at propaganda. Rather than presenting factual information (e.g., Joe Biden won the 2020 election) we’re getting distortions and outright lies over various media sources. Fox News is probably one of the worst offenders and has become a propaganda megaphone for this administration. (source: Rupert Murdoch says Fox stars 'endorsed' lies about 2020. He chose not to stop them)
Asked by a Dominion attorney whether "Fox endorsed at times this false notion of a stolen election," Murdoch demurred, saying, "Not Fox, no. Not Fox. But maybe Lou Dobbs, maybe Maria [Bartiromo] as commentators."
The lawyer pressed on. Did Fox's Bartiromo endorse it?
Murdoch's reply: "Yes. C'mon."
Fox News host Jeanine Pirro? "I think so." [note: Jeanine Pirro has just been sworn in as interim Washington DC U.S. attorney]
Then-Fox Business Network host Dobbs? "Oh, a lot."
Fox News prime-time star Sean Hannity? "A bit."
Pressed whether they endorsed the narrative of a stolen election, Murdoch finally gave in: "Yes. They endorsed."
“Those who are capable of tyranny are capable of perjury to sustain it.” ~Lysander Spooner
There was a time in my life, when I chose to believe my government. While I knew that politicians had partisan views and biases, I generally believed that most of our officials were making decisions based on their views and interpretations of the FACTS at hand. I may not have agreed with them, but I didn’t think they were blatantly telling malicious falsehoods. Even in the most egregious deceptions by some administrations (excluding the Watergate lies), I didn’t believe their actions were meant to be self-serving.
I don’t feel that way anymore. Trump has been Gaslighting Americans since he appeared on the scene in the 1970s. I’ve seen way too many instances where Trump and his sycophants are just making stuff up and pathologically lying. I still remember Kellyanne Conway’s exchange with Chuck Todd on Meet the Press:
When pressed during the interview with Chuck Todd to explain why Spicer would "utter a provable falsehood," Conway stated that Spicer was giving "alternative facts."
Todd responded, "Look, alternative facts are not facts. They're falsehoods."
Needless to say, I’ve become a big user of FactCheck.org, snopes.com and AP Fact Check to see, whether I’m dealing with Trump’s “alternative facts.”
Thought for the day in honor of his birthday…
"If you're not careful, the newspapers will have you hating the people who are being oppressed, and loving the people who are doing the oppressing."
~ Malcolm X
Must Read Article:
Trump's most recent executive order, "Restoring Truth and Sanity to American History," is a case study in how propaganda becomes policy….
I really encourage you to continue on and read this excellent essay…
Quote of the day:
“Trump, as far as I’m concerned, is never more fully himself than when he’s in the gilded safe spaces of the Middle East—admiring the perfecto marble in a royal palace, basking in the judgment-free approval of fellow-billionaires, commingling his family’s and the nation’s business to a remarkable degree. His foreign-policy doctrine is not Kissingerian or Charles Lindberghian; it is not a doctrine at all, in fact, but a way of life, defined by extreme transactionalism and self-interest above all else. The cursed airplane from Qatar is not just a symbol of Trumpism but also its substance.”
~Susan B. Glasser
What I’m reading today…
Trump threatens Walmart, demands it "eat the tariffs"
President Trump on Saturday threatened Walmart over its plan to raise prices in the face of tariffs, demanding it absorb the costs instead. The White House, facing the risk of looming tariff-driven inflation, has turned to publicly threatening retailers to keep prices in check. On Thursday, Walmart said it could no longer hold the line on costs, even with tariffs on China dropping to 30% from 145%, and would have to start raising prices on some items as soon as this month.
Fascism in America Would Look Like Patriotism
Trump’s rhetoric is a masterclass in fear amplification. From the moment he launched his campaign by branding Mexican immigrants as rapists and criminals, to his constant drumbeat of “American carnage,” Trump has framed modern life as a battlefield, casting his followers as both victims and soldiers. His message is simple: the world is dangerous, but I will protect you, and hurt the people you fear.
White House’s ‘Propaganda’ Briefings For MAGA Influencers Have Critics Cringing
MAGA influencers are now receiving their own dedicated press briefings at Donald Trump’s White House, drawing strong backlash on social media. The sessions, led by White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt, have been widely slammed as fawning displays of pro-Trump propaganda. Clips from the briefings ― in which the conservative influencers have echoed Trump talking points and heaped praise on his administration ― have gone viral online. Critics have compared the scenes to parody sketches from “Saturday Night Live.” “Just a straight-up cult,” one commenter wrote.
Others labeled the events “straight-up propaganda” and “so humiliating.”
MAGA propaganda takeover looms for silenced Voice of America
On March 15, for the first time since it was founded during the Second World War, Voice of America went dark. Two months later, the broadcaster’s website still leads with news of that day as if time had stopped.
An executive order by President Trump, who labelled the federally funded station “anti-Trump” and “anti-America”, placed VOA staff on administrative leave and plunged its future into uncertainty.
Established in 1942 to counter Nazi propaganda, the broadcaster’s pro-democracy programming had over the years come to reach millions of people in some of the world’s most repressive countries. Trump’s decision, however, was celebrated by state media in Russia and China. Margarita Simonyan, editor-in-chief of the Russian state-controlled RT network, said: “We couldn’t shut them down, unfortunately, but America did so itself.”
Here’s the Deranged MAGA Propaganda Coming to Voice of America
While Donald Trump attempts to bypass Congress in cutting funding to NPR and PBS, his senior adviser to the U.S. Agency for Global Media, perennial election loser Kari Lake, announced on X earlier this week that she’s struck a deal with One America News to “provide” the right-wing outlet’s “newsfeed services” to the government-funded outlets her agency oversees—Voice of America being the most prominent among them.
‘Out of control’: Kristi Noem on defense over Homeland Security spending overrun
Sen. Chris Murphy warned Noem that DHS is at risk of running out of its $65 billion in funding by July – two months before the end of the fiscal year – and therefore close to triggering the Anti-deficiency Act, a federal law prohibiting government agencies from spending funds in excess of their appropriations.
“Your department is out of control. You are running out of money.”
… also criticized Noem for spending $100 million on TV ads that range from praising the president to warning migrants not to come to the United States or to self-deport. Noem in addition launched an initiative to provide up to $1,000 in “travel assistance” to immigrants without legal authorization to self-deport, which would amount to $1 billion if President Donald Trump’s goal of deporting 1 million people is met. The source of those funds in the DHS budget is unclear.
The Terrible Optics of ICE Enforcement Are Fueling a Trump Immigration Backlash
In one recent example that went viral, ICE officers in Maryland stopped a 51-year-old mother and smashed through her car window to arrest her while her teenage daughter sat in the passenger seat filming and crying. In another, security-camera footage of the arrest of Rumeysa Ozturk—a student from Turkey whose visa was revoked over an op-ed—shows her crying out in fear as plainclothes officers swarmed her on the street and put her in a car. (She was released on Friday.) A Massachusetts neighborhood devolved into chaos last week when ICE officers arrested a distraught teen trying to stop them from hauling away her mother.
Many Americans have recoiled at these scenes, comparing officers’ tactics to those of authoritarian regimes. …Polls show far less enthusiasm for aggressive ICE enforcement that sweeps up immigrants without criminal records in U.S. communities. A recent Pew Research Center poll found that only about one-third of Americans want to see the deportation of all immigrants living in the country illegally.
What I am listening to…
What I am watching…
What I’m reading and recommend…
An Unfinished Love Story: A Personal History of the 1960s by Doris Kearns Goodwin
Doris Kearns Goodwin artfully weaves together biography, memoir, and history. She takes you along on the emotional journey she and her husband, Richard (Dick) Goodwin embarked upon in the last years of his life.
What I read every day…
