Delegitimizing Kamala Harris: Evaluative Language and Gender Framing in New York Post and Newsmax

Details

Supervisors

Opello, Katherine

Faculty

Faculté de philosophie, arts et lettres

Degree label

Master [120] en langues et lettres modernes, orientation générale, à finalité spécialisée: langues des affaires

Abstract

enThis research analyzes Kamala Harris’ representation in conservative media during three pivotal moments of her 2024 presidential campaign. It addresses recurring issues in the representation of female politicians, namely their delegitimization through Capacity, Propriety-Veracity and Normality framing as well as the gendered attacks they face. Our goal was to find to what extent Harris was delegitimized, using Appraisal Theory and gender framing theories as analytical framework. To achieve this, we analyzed 109 articles from two conservative online media: the New York Post and Newsmax. Our analysis reveals that both outlets framed Harris as politically unfit using both Capacity, Propriety-Veracity, and gendered attacks. The New York Post was, overall, the outlet that delegitimized Harris most extensively and the only one to employ Normality attacks. Both outlets focused heavily on Harris’ physical characteristics (such as her smile and laughter) centering her identity around physicality rather than politics. Harris was also consistently depicted as never fitting the right category: deemed as too incompetent yet accused of clinging to power. Her political accomplishments were at times attributed to luck, as the outlets portrayed her as inexperienced and having been propelled into spotlight by luck or male patronage. Our finding’s significance lies in the importance of media coverage during elections and in the barriers women still continue to face to accomplish their ambitions in the political sphere. We conclude that Kamala Harris was subjected to delegitimization through the lens of Appraisal Theory and to gender framing across both conservative outlets. This dynamic decentered her from her political campaign and actions, while reinforcing broader gendered expectations that continue to shape media representations of women and render them as illegitimate in positions of political power.