Trumpisms
Donald Trump as President and presidential candidate has coined or popularized a whole bunch of phrases that are now in the common lexicon.
The Phrases
I'm leaving out the classic ones like Make America Great Again that are just references to Trump himself.
Build The Wall
Donald J. Trump @realDonaldTrump Big day planned on NATIONAL SECURITY tomorrow. Among many other things, we will build the wall!
Jan 24, 2017[1]
"Build the wall" is now just general rhetoric for "keep those guys out". It will probably be used even after Trump leaves.
Deep State
Donald J. Trump @realDonaldTrump ....Where is the DNC Server, and why didn’t the FBI take possession of it? Deep State?
Jul 14, 2018[2]
The Deep State Conspiracy Theory has existed for a while, even specifically in the US but its general public use for "the government bureaucracy who secretly make decisions" is definitely a result of Donald Trump popularizing it.
Fake News
Donald J. Trump @realDonaldTrump FAKE NEWS - A TOTAL POLITICAL WITCH HUNT!
Jan 10, 2017[3]
Technically, this one was first used by Hillary Clinton[4] but there's no doubt that Trump telling a CNN reporter "You are Fake News" and his subsequent repeated use of the phrase are the ones that made it popular.
Many People Are Saying
Donald J. Trump @realDonaldTrump Many people are saying that my challenge to Obama is having a huge negative effect on his poll numbers --- I agree.
Oct 28, 2012[5]
Donald J. Trump @realDonaldTrump Thanks- many are saying I'm the best 140 character writer in the world. It's easy when it's fun.
Nov 10, 2012[6]
Donald J. Trump @realDonaldTrump Many people are saying it was wonderful that Mrs. Obama refused to wear a scarf in Saudi Arabia, but they were insulted.We have enuf enemies
Jan 29, 2015[7]
Donald J. Trump @realDonaldTrump Many people are saying that the Iranians killed the scientist who helped the U.S. because of Hillary Clinton's hacked emails.
Aug 8, 2016[8]
Obviously a phrase in widespread use already but maxed out by Donald Trump. Hard to give him credit for this one, and I think it's more in the mockery category, but it's so widespread now that I'll include it.
Many Such Cases
Donald J. Trump @realDonaldTrump Healthy young child goes to doctor, gets pumped with massive shot of many vaccines, doesn't feel good and changes - AUTISM. Many such cases!
Mar 28, 2014[9]
This is used either on purpose or ironically. But it is used often without Trump being mentioned. Easily the top one where people use it without knowing it's a Trumpism
Thank You For Your Attention To This Matter
Donald J. Trump @realDonaldTrump ISRAEL is not going to attack Iran. All planes will turn around and head home, while doing a friendly “Plane Wave” to Iran. Nobody will be hurt, the Ceasefire is in effect! Thank you for your attention to this matter! DONALD J. TRUMP, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES
Jun 24, 2025[10]
This one started out as mockery but has rapidly become a referential closing joke. So I think it counts.
Thank You, Very Cool
Donald J. Trump @realDonaldTrump Thank you Kanye, very cool! https://x.com/kanyewest/status/989179757651574784…
Apr 25, 2018[11]
Used often to dismiss someone pulling a "lady doth protest too much" or in a generally dismissive way.
Ones That Aren't Used Popularly
- "Everything's Computer": Referring to the inside of a Tesla. Used to mock him, but not used normally
- "Tim Apple": People only ever refer to someone in Trump voice like this
- "The Worst Trade Deal in The History of Trade Deals": Only ever used to talk about trade deals. It had a short period with some snowclones, but that didn't last.
- "Drain the swamp": which is old and a Reaganism in the respect it's used
Notes
- ↑ Donald J. Trump [@realDonaldTrump] (Jan 24, 2017). "Big day planned on NATIONAL SECURITY tomorrow. Among many other things, we will build the wall!" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
- ↑ Donald J. Trump [@realDonaldTrump] (Jul 14, 2018). "....Where is the DNC Server, and why didn't the FBI take possession of it? Deep State?" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
- ↑ Donald J. Trump [@realDonaldTrump] (Jan 10, 2017). "FAKE NEWS - A TOTAL POLITICAL WITCH HUNT!" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
- ↑ "The (almost) complete history of 'fake news'". BBC News. 2018-01-19. Retrieved 2025-10-07.
- ↑ Donald J. Trump [@realDonaldTrump] (Oct 28, 2012). "Many people are saying that my challenge to Obama is having a huge negative effect on his poll numbers --- I agree" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
- ↑ Donald J. Trump [@realDonaldTrump] (Nov 10, 2012). "Thanks- many are saying I'm the best 140 character writer in the world. It's easy when it's fun" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
- ↑ Donald J. Trump [@realDonaldTrump] (Jan 29, 2015). "Many people are saying it was wonderful that Mrs. Obama refused to wear a scarf in Saudi Arabia, but they were insulted.We have enuf enemies" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
- ↑ Donald J. Trump [@realDonaldTrump] (Aug 8, 2016). "Many people are saying that the Iranians killed the scientist who helped the U.S. because of Hillary Clinton's hacked emails" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
- ↑ Donald J. Trump [@realDonaldTrump] (Mar 28, 2014). "Healthy young child goes to doctor, gets pumped with massive shot of many vaccines, doesn't feel good and changes - AUTISM. Many such cases!" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
- ↑ Donald J. Trump (Jun 24, 2025). "ISRAEL is not going to attack Iran. All planes will turn around and head home, while doing a friendly "Plane Wave" to Iran. Nobody will be hurt, the Ceasefire is in effect! Thank you for your attention to this matter! DONALD J. TRUMP, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES". Truth Social.}
- ↑ Donald J. Trump [@realDonaldTrump] (Apr 25, 2018). "Thank you Kanye, very cool! https://x.com/kanyewest/status/989179757651574784…" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
