MODALITY ANALYSIS IN DONALD TRUMP’S AND KAMALA HARRIS’ CAMPAIGN SPEECHES IN 2024 U.S PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION: A COMPARATIVE STUDY

his research aims to analyze and compare the use of modality in Donald
Trump’s and Kamala Harris’ campaign speeches during the 2024 U.S.
Presidential Election. The study categorizes modality into three types:
epistemic (certainty), deontic (obligation or permission), and dynamic (ability
or willingness). Adopting a qualitative method with a semantic-pragmatic
approach, the analysis focuses on the first 15 minutes of the core speech
segments of both candidates. The findings reveal that Trump predominantly
uses epistemic modality to assert certainty and authority, while Harris tends
to employ deontic modality to convey moral responsibility and inclusiveness.
In total, Trump used modality 117 times compared to Harris’s 52, reflecting
differing rhetorical strategies and leadership styles. This study concludes that
modality functions as a crucial linguistic tool in constructing political
identity, establishing credibility, and influencing public perception.
Keywords: Modality, Campaign Speeches, Donald Trump, Kamala
Harris, Political Discourse Analysis