Jurnal Ilmiah HUBUNGAN INTERNASIONAL
Vol. 21 No. 2 (2025): Jurnal Ilmiah Hubungan Internasional

Reviving the Nation: A Lacanian Perspective on Trump’s MAGA Fantasy

Sianipar, Imelda (Unknown)
Tehupeiory, Aarce (Unknown)



Article Info

Publish Date
26 Dec 2025

Abstract

This article analyses Donald Trump's power fantasies centered on his "Make America Great Again (MAGA)" campaign. In his 2017 inauguration, Trump depicted the U.S. as a nation in decline, needing restoration. This study shows that Trump’s MAGA narrative is crafted to address perceived national decay. Using descriptive qualitative methods and Lacan’s psychoanalytic theory, the research examines Trump's speeches and statements to understand this narrative. By attributing the nation's problems to external and internal pressures, the MAGA message aligns with public anxieties and creates antagonisms. The findings reveal that this narrative reinforces Trump's political power and shapes national identity with promises of returning to past greatness. Trump positions himself as a symbolic "Big Other," a savior who resolves perceived threats and restores order. The MAGA narrative taps into collective desires for identity, belonging, and control, uniting supporters through shared grievances and externalized blame. This appeal resonates with deep psychological needs, creating cycles of temporary satisfaction and deferred fulfillment, which sustains loyalty and hope. Keywords: Political Fantasies, National Revival, Make America Great Again, Lacanian Psychoanalysis, Antagonism

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Journal Info

Abbrev

JurnalIlmiahHubunganInternasiona

Publisher

Subject

Languange, Linguistic, Communication & Media Library & Information Science

Description

JIHI can be a reference and literature source for academician in International Relations area as it consists of articles and research reports on International Relations Issues. Articles and research reports are written by academics who is the expert on its field like Security Studies, International ...