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/ourguy/: securitisation dynamics between Donald Trump and online alt-right communities Cian Luddy (24292628) PUREID: 672406673 Donald Trump alt-right far right Reddit 4chan securitisation audience studies international relations Critical security studies Twitter US/China trade war immigration covid-19 <div>This thesis examines the relationship between the security discourses of the first campaign and presidency of Donald Trump, and those of the predominantly online, far-right political tendency known as the alt-right. </div><div><br></div><div>Drawing upon the depth of online data left by both Trump and alt-rightists, this thesis traces securitisation dynamics between Trump and two online forums – Reddit’s r/The_Donald and 4chan’s /pol/ – in relation  to the policy areas of immigration, relations with China, and COVID-19 response. </div><div><br></div><div>The thesis finds a diversity of responses across and within the different forums to Trump’s varyingly successful securitisation moves. In charting these moves and responses, this research nuances the conceptualisation of audiences in securitisation theory; contributes to the debate on securitisation as instant versus as process; and draws attention to theoretically neglected stages in securitisation. </div><div><i><br></i></div><i>Thesis is embargoed until 31 July 2029.</i><br> 2026-10-01T16:16:32Z Text Thesis 10.17034/32805323.v1 https://figshare.com/articles/thesis/_ourguy_securitisation_dynamics_between_Donald_Trump_and_online_alt-right_communities/32805323 All Rights Reserved Open Access after 2029-07-31