Speakers at the Republican National Convention used over 110,000 words during the four-day event. The words chosen by speakers reflected the campaign rhetoric and the new platform of the Republican Party for 2024. The most frequently used words, excluding common words, were related to the economy and immigration.
Economic concerns were a key theme at the convention, with speakers highlighting rising prices for gas and groceries. Senator Rick Scott of Florida even suggested that gas prices could reach $10 a gallon if President Biden wins a second term. Words frequently used when discussing the economy included terms like “economy,” “business,” “jobs,” “taxes,” “inflation,” and “Trump.”
When it came to immigration, speakers talked about “millions of illegal aliens” crossing the southern border and painted a picture of a surge in migrant-related crimes. Words commonly used in discussions about immigration included “border,” “invasion,” “illegal,” “immigrant,” and “aliens.”
Notable speakers like Ted Cruz, Nikki Haley, Ron DeSantis, Donald Trump Jr., J.D. Vance, and Donald J. Trump used specific words multiple times during their speeches. For example, the word “Trump” was mentioned frequently by most speakers, along with terms like “God,” “love,” “border,” and “invasion.”
Former President Donald J. Trump delivered the longest acceptance speech, totaling 12,219 words over 92 minutes. This speech was the longest since at least 1956, with the only comparable Republican acceptance speech being that of William Howard Taft in 1908.
The Republican Party avoided discussing controversial topics like abortion restrictions and attacks on the Affordable Care Act during the convention. While the word “abortion” did not appear in the transcribed speeches, phrases like “born and unborn,” “pro-life,” and “pro-choice” were mentioned. “Health care” and “prescriptions” were also referenced, albeit infrequently.
Looking ahead, the Democratic National Convention is scheduled for August 19-22 in Chicago. The nominee for the convention, whether it will be President Biden or another candidate, has yet to be confirmed.
