Information-communication Chaos: Trump's Communication Models as a Matrix of Action of Balkan Politicians

Abstract

Donald Trump's term as President of the United States was marked by, among others: nationalism, populism, rejection of democracy, political arbitrariness, exclusivity towards racial and national minorities, xenophobia expressed towards immigrants, but also close (Mexicans) and distant peoples (Chinese), forcing divisions in American society, misogyny, spreading misinformation in all spheres and especially during the pandemic, belittling the attitude towards intellectuals, and especially constantlycalling out and insulting journalists. Injustice towards media houses and journalists did not stop during the entire term of Donald Trump, who called them 'fake news media' and 'enemy of the people, thus turning the public against them and creating big problems for them, which resulted in open violence during police protests. the assassination of African-American George Floyd, but also in the attack on Capitol Hill. All of these terms, along with some other features of his rule in domestic and foreign policy,are encompassed by a common denominator called ‘trumpism’. Although he was defeated in the 2020 presidential election, his legacy remained significantly present in American society, but also outside it - on the American and Asian continents, but also in Europe, and especially in the Balkans. Using qualitative content analysis and comparative analysis of Donald Trump's communication model, especially in his relationship with political opponents, media houses and journalists, and the communication model of Balkan politicians, this paper deals with information and communication matrices that have been very successfully accepted and perfected by some politicians. Balkans through a special review of the spread of 'information disorder' in its three manifestations - misinformation, misinformation, and misinformation.