The  Digital Battlefield: A Discourse Analysis of How U.S. Politicians Frame Abortion on Twitter : The Digital Battlefield

Fuhaid Alajmi

doi:10.5281/zenodo.14014815

Authors

Fuhaid Alajmi Syracuse University, S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communication, https://orcid.org/0009-0009-6478-6704

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.14014815

Keywords:

Abortion, Framing, Twitter/X, Politicians

Abstract

This study explores how U.S. politicians utilize Twitter to articulate their stances on abortion following the overturning of Roe v. Wade. I examined 232 tweets from notable Democratic and Republican members of Congress, utilizing discourse analysis to analyse the rhetorical appeals and framing strategies. Results reveal that Democrats typically present abortion as a fundamental human right and a part of essential healthcare, incorporating historical and emotional narratives. In contrast, Republicans emphasize moral and fiscal conservatism, often using provocative rhetoric to energize their base. This analysis underscores Twitter’s pivotal role as a forum for political discourse, demonstrating the profound impact of language and framing in the abortion debate.

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The Digital Battlefield: A Discourse Analysis of How U.S. Politicians Frame Abortion on Twitter