Post from X (Twitter)

Analysis: Secretary of State Announcement Teaser (2016-12-13)

This is a brief, straightforward announcement post teasing the next day's reveal of Rex Tillerson as Secretary of State. It is notably restrained and procedural compared to the surrounding posts, which deal with Russia/CIA dismissal, F-35 costs, and recount mockery.

Authorship

Posted at 7:33 PM ET (Trump was in transition period, likely in New York). The evening timing, brevity, and clean grammar are consistent with either Trump or an aide. The self-referential "I will be making my announcement" with possessive framing ("my announcement") is consistent with Trump's voice, but the polished, typo-free construction and lack of emotional charge suggest possible aide involvement or at minimum a deliberate, composed statement.

Psychological State

The post functions as a power display — the president-elect controlling news cycles by creating anticipation. The framing of "my announcement" emphasizes personal ownership of a major governmental appointment, consistent with agentic/power motives.

Rhetorical Function

Classic suspense-building technique. By announcing the announcement, Trump ensures media coverage for two news cycles instead of one — the teaser and the reveal. This is a well-documented Trump media strategy.