How Trump’s Communication Style Has Changed The Way We Talk

Recently I posted on Facebook what I thought was a fairly innocuous article, originally published in Forbes, with a headline The Most Important Coronavirus Statistic: 42% Of U.S. Deaths Are From 0.6% Of The Population.

I commented neutrally:

‘This statistic seems accurate and should get lots more attention. Any medical numbers experts out there? What are the implications for policy?

The article’s headline made a simple statistical point: 42% of US coronavirus deaths are from 0.6% of the population — people living in nursing homes and care homes. The article made some fairly straightforward suggestions to protect this vulnerable population.

I didn’t expect much of a response; most postings on Facebook are far more controversial and polarized.

To my surprise, people posted deeply emotional comments — mostly angry and bitter. I recognized several who had made a significant number of anti-Trump posts.

But almost all of them borrowed Trump’s tactics to make their point: finger-pointing, name-calling, and ridicule.

Post anything about the coronavirus and you may feel like you’re holding up a Rorschach card. People read their own beliefs, fears, and fantasies into the title. To me, the article…