VERBAL MEANS OF DISCREDITING THE IMAGE OF A POLITICIAN IN THE MEDIA SPACE OF THE USA
The article deals with the methods and techniques of formation of a negative political image on the basis of the articles about D. Trump in American mass media. The authors identify the strategies which are more often used to discredit the US President in mass media: blaming (direct indication of mistakes made by the president and criticism of his activity; manipulative tactics: reference to the opinion of competent persons - the so called experts; use of phrases and sentences predicting dismal future as a result of the policy pursued by the president), labeling (giving Trump names with negative connotations, for example: racist, sexist, liar, the worst president), reiteration of the same ideas, and specifically those disclosing ties with Russia (the popularity of the strategy is associated with the active formation of the negative image of Russia in the social consciousness of American citizens), as well as irony and ridicule (use of contradictions and antitheses; the technique of personification; hyperbolization; language game). The article also determines and analyzes the verbal means of realization of these strategies. The analysis carried out makes it possible to make the conclusion that the image of President Trump in the information space of American mass media has a saliently negative evaluation. The manipulative strategies and practices described, used in American mass media, demonstrate non - ethical presentation of information and thus serve the purpose of formation of a negative public opinion.