The Art of Persuasion: A Cognitive-Linguistic Analysis of Diplomatic Discourse in a Trump-Zelensky Oval Office Meeting

Abstract

This study presents a cognitive-linguistic analysis of persuasive strategies of Donald Trump and Volodymyr Zelensky in their meeting on February 28, 2025. Integrating Cognitive Linguistics (Langacker, 2013; Talmy, 2000) and Framing Theory (Entman, 1993; Matthes, 2023), the analysis examines how each president constructs narratives through their linguistic choices. The methodology involves qualitative discourse analysis of their dialogue during Oval Office meeting, focusing on construal operations (categorization, metaphorization, and granularity) and framing techniques (for example, "America First," blame attribution, appeals to shared values). Findings reveal Trump's preference for binary categorization, combat metaphors, and a transactional frame, aligning with transactional nationalism. In contrast, Zelensky employs existential categorization, higher granularity, and value-based appeals, emphasizing sovereignty and loss. The study contributes to understanding the cognitive mechanisms underlying diplomatic persuasion and the linguistic construction of international relations in high-stakes encounters.