Theme Structure and Thematic Progression in Trump’s Impromptu Speech: An SFL Theme Analysis of the 2024 Meet the Press Interview

Almulla, Naif Abdullah; Alyousef, Hesham Suleiman

doi:10.30470/irelc.2025.2064058.1024

Theme Structure and Thematic Progression in Trump’s Impromptu Speech: An SFL Theme Analysis of the 2024 Meet the Press Interview

Document Type : Research Article

Authors

Naif Abdullah Almulla ¹

Hesham Suleiman Alyousef ²

¹ Department of English Language, College of Education, Majmaah University, Majmaah, Saudi Arabia

² English Department, College of Language Sciences, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

10.30470/irelc.2025.2064058.1024

Abstract

While many studies on Theme structure and thematic progression patterns have investigated speeches or formal letters/statements, few studies have focused on interviews or debates, which reflect the improvised or unrehearsed nature of human language production, as well as the most authentic form of language exhibited in its most direct and spontaneous nature. The present study aimed to investigate the dominant Theme type and thematic progression patterns in Trump’s 8 December 2024 presidential interview with Kristen Welker in the Meet the Press program. The study employed Halliday’s (2014) social semiotic approach to the analysis of Theme/Rheme and thematic markedness and Daneš’s (1974) model for the analysis of thematic progression patterns. The findings revealed that Trump’s presidential interview included topical and textual Themes, while interpersonal Themes rarely occurred. The most frequently occurring thematic progression pattern was the constant pattern, followed by the linear pattern. The derived Theme rarely occurred in Trump’s speech. No instances of the multiple Theme/split Rheme were found in the analysed sample, which may be expected considering its complex nature, on one hand, and the simplistic nature of spoken impromptu language, on the other hand. Trump’s speech style reflects a self-centred personality that uses language skilfully to persuade the audience.

Keywords

Systemic Functional Linguistics (SFL)

Trump&rsquo

s 2024 Presidential Interview

Theme Structure, Thematic Progression Patterns

Subjects