President Donald Trump speaks at a rate no modern president has equaled, putting White House stenographers and the public at a frenzied pace. The more time passes, the greater the avalanche of his remarks that marks his second term. Unlike former President Joe Biden, who had relatively low-profile public activity, Trump needs to stay atop the media’s agenda as well as to communicate directly with the public.
Overwhelming Amount of Words
On his first day in office in the White House, Donald Trump made headlines with his inaugural speech, which was followed by more than 22,000 words he spoke throughout the day. His words didn’t stop there. When visiting disaster sites in North Carolina and California, Trump spoke an additional 17,000 words. In total, it is a workload that leaves even the most experienced stenographers struggling to keep up, and discussions about hiring more staff have surfaced to meet the demand, according to sources familiar with the issue.
This is in sharp contrast to the quieter Biden of his first term. With Trump back at the helm, his voice dominates the airwaves, and it is impossible to avoid hearing him speak, whether it is on a televised address, a surprise comment, or an impromptu interview.
Donald Trump: A Master of the Spotlight
The art of speaking is a tool Donald Trump uses to take over the news cycle and ensure that his face stays in the limelight. He has always known that attention translates to power. Whether it was real estate splashes reality TV celebrities, or the presidency, Trump has built a career on being seen and heard. His current method is not unique, and he seems to be enjoying the thrill of owning all headlines.
“He’s dictating the news on his terms,” said Michael LaRosa, former Jill Biden spokesperson. “He’s become America’s assignment editor.” Trump’s public schedule is a calculated mix of speeches, rallies, and media engagements that keep his critics and supporters alike on their toes.
Trump’s Unfiltered Approach to Communication
On Wednesday, it was a fine example of a Trump unvarnished truth during a ceremony signing legislation for the acceleration of deportations: The speech swerved quickly into off-the-cuff remarks instead of sticking strictly to scripted talking points. Trump boasted about accomplishments in his administration, spread myths about Hamas, and U.S.-funded condoms, plus made unsubstantiated claims of California’s policies on water consumption and its impact on wildfires. He even suggested moving Palestinians out of Gaza as part of rebuilding the area.
This constant stream of commentary often includes falsehoods, such as his unfounded claims about voter fraud and unproven assertions about other geopolitical issues. Sometimes, his comments appear to be crafted to be provocative, making it hard for the public and the media to know when to take him seriously.
Trump’s constant speechifying has a strategic effect: he gets to control the conversation. His words drown out the rest so that there is little room for his opponents to gain a foothold in the media landscape.
In comparison Biden, who is more restrained in their speech
For perspective, Biden’s first week in office four years ago was 24,259 words in 2 hours and 36 minutes on camera. Trump last week spoke for nearly 7 hours and 44 minutes, 81,235 words. That’s a lot more than sitting through all three “Star Wars” films back-to-back. Trump’s first week in office was a far cry from that, speaking for just 3 hours and 41 minutes, delivering 33,571 words.
The speaking habit is part of a long history of working to stay in the public eye. As a New York businessman, Trump used gossip columnists and media attention to fashion a personality. His role as host on “The Apprentice” took it to the next level, making him a household name. Getting attention has been honed over decades.
Trump’s Unending Media Appearance
Trump’s public speaking is not limited to formal speeches. He has been constantly commenting on issues and even making moments to keep him in the news. For instance, on Friday, he gave the world a whirlwind of unscripted interactions ranging from hurricane recovery briefings to spontaneous chats with reporters on Air Force One.
Margo Martin, the president’s long-time aide celebrated with “transparency is back!” about the constant media availability of President Trump, however, researchers such as the director of the Annenberg Public Policy Center at the University of Pennsylvania, Kathleen Hall Jamieson noticed a difference: “Being accessible and being transparent are two different things,” she said.
These sometimes lack consistency, however. For example, Trump informed reporters that he had “no surprises” seeing Republican Senators Susan Collins and Lisa Murkowski vote down Pete Hegseth’s nomination to head the Pentagon. The next day he said that their votes left him “very surprised.” The contradictions only serve to confuse the narrative but also keep Trump at the center of things in the news cycle.
Keeping Opponents Off-balance
Trump’s all-talk strategy also serves a strategic purpose: flooding the airwaves with his words create constantly shifting parameters for his opponents to keep up with. Kate Berner, who was a member of Biden’s communications staff, pointed out that Trump’s endless talking makes it difficult for his opponents to organize. “By doing so much and saying so much, it is hard for people who oppose him to organize,” said Berner, “And it is hard for any one thing to take hold.”
However, with risks come threats. Berner said the constant stream of words would eventually make Donald Trump “wear out his welcome with the American people.” If the American people tire of hearing from him day in and day out, they will gradually reduce his influence.