Final answer:
Washington's speech advocated for racial equality within the constraints of segregation, while Trump's speeches were characterized by an informal and conversational approach that diverged from presidential norms, marked by direct engagement with his audience and critical views on mainstream media.
Step-by-step explanation:
Comparing speeches by different U.S. presidents, such as George Washington and Donald Trump, reveals significant contrasts in style, content, and interaction with the media. Washington's speech in 1895 highlighted a call for racial equality and acceptance of segregation for fair treatment, focusing on the stability of race relations in the South.
In contrast, Trump's approach to speeches and the press presented a break from tradition; he communicated directly via tweets, criticized the media, and had fewer press conferences, relying on a more informal, conversational style in his speeches that rejected the erudite vocabulary typically associated with high office holders.
His speeches often featured personal anecdotes, rhetorical questions, and a disjointed, yet engaging style intended to connect with his audience as if in conversation.
Both Washington and Trump understood the importance of their words in shaping public opinion, but they utilized different strategies to achieve their objectives.
Washington sought to persuade through a careful articulation of measured acceptance under duress, while Trump aimed to disrupt and engage through a style reminiscent of populist politicians like Huey Long, eschewing typical political decorum in favor of a direct and often confrontational tone.