/ourguy/: securitisation dynamics between Donald Trump and online alt-right communities

<div>This thesis examines the relationship between the security discourses of the first campaign and presidency of Donald Trump, and those of the predominantly online, far-right political tendency known as the alt-right. </div><div><br></div><div>Drawing upon the depth of online data left by both Trump and alt-rightists, this thesis traces securitisation dynamics between Trump and two online forums – Reddit’s r/The_Donald and 4chan’s /pol/ – in relation to the policy areas of immigration, relations with China, and COVID-19 response. </div><div><br></div><div>The thesis finds a diversity of responses across and within the different forums to Trump’s varyingly successful securitisation moves.

In charting these moves and responses, this research nuances the conceptualisation of audiences in securitisation theory; contributes to the debate on securitisation as instant versus as process; and draws attention to theoretically neglected stages in securitisation. </div><div><i><br></i></div><i>Thesis is embargoed until 31 July 2029.</i><br>