2020s
“In trying to break Hunter, they’ve tried to break me – and there’s no reason to believe it will stop here”
What is slippery slope?
Joseph Biden on pardoning Hunter Biden, 2024
“Crazy [Political Opponent] is trying to act like a tough guy. Actually, he is weak, both mentally and physically, and yet he threatens me, for the second time, with physical assault”
What is ad hominem?
Donald Trump tweeting about Joseph Biden, 2018
"Either you are with us, or you are with the terrorists."
What is false dichotomy?
George W. Bush after the attacks on 9/11, 2001
“THIS COULD BE THE BIGGEST SCANDAL OF THEM ALL, PERHAPS THE BIGGEST IN HISTORY!”
What is appeal to emotion?
Donald Trump on Twitter, 2025
“And now you have a choice: we can give more tax breaks to corporations that ship jobs overseas, or we can start rewarding companies that open new plants and train new workers and create new jobs here, in the United States of America”
What is false dichotomy?
Barack Obama debating Mitt Romney, 2012
There are those who say these plans are too ambitious, that we should be trying to do less, not more."
What is straw man?
Barack Obama at a town hall, 2009
Interviewer: “Do you dispute that there have been more lapses, especially in the last several months?”
President: “Can I run the 100 in 10 flat? No. But I’m still in good shape”
What is red herring?
Joseph Biden interview with George Stephanopoulos, 2024
"We have an increase in murder within our cities, the biggest in 45 years. We have a divided nation, because of people like [political opponent]."
What is false cause?
Donald Trump debating Hillary Clinton, 2016
“My opponent thinks the government – the surplus is the government’s money. That’s not what I think. I think it’s the hard-working people of America’s money…”
What is straw man?
George W. Bush debating Al Gore, 2000
"[Opponent] was a liar, a horrible scoundrel."
What is ad hominem?
Donald Trump speaking of Hillary Clinton, 2024
"In fact, a poll that was out just last week says that two out of three American's think their own family's financial situation is in pretty good shape."
What is bandwagon?
Barack Obama speech on the economy, 2016
"The allegations I have read are not true. I do not know what the basis of them is other than just what you know. We'll just have to wait and see...But I have got to get back to the work of the country."
What is red herring?
Bill Clinton on the Monica Lewinsky scandal, 1998