The tribalization of politics : how Rush Limbaugh's race-baiting rhetoric on the Obama presidency paved the way for Trump
(Book)

Includes bibliographical references (pages 229-255).

Explores how the conservative radio host "tribalized" our politics through his racially divisive, falsehood-ridden portrayal of President Obama. Reifowitz explains that during Obama's eight years in office, Limbaugh repeatedly used a technique called "racial priming" against America's first black president --language designed to heighten white racial or cultural resentment. Limbaugh's aim was to convince his audience that Obama was anti-white, anti-American, radical, Marxist, black nationalist, among other labels. This divisive rhetoric was designed to cleave America in two, creating a conservative "tribe" animated by passionate racial and cultural hatred toward the opposing (liberal) tribe. By playing and preying on white anxiety, Limbaugh laid the groundwork for the election of Donald Trump, who essentially adopted his view of the Obama presidency. --From publisher description.