Framing the Gaza Crisis: A Comparative Analysis of Trudeau’s and Biden’s Social Media Narratives

Abstract

The Gaza Strip crisis, particularly following the October 7, 2023, escalation has garnered global attention and elicited a diverse range of political responses. As state leaders increasingly rely on digital platforms to communicate their positions, understanding how crises are framed on social media has become crucial for research in political communication. This study applies framing theory to analyze how former Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and former U.S. President Joe Biden framed the Gaza Strip crisis through their official X (formerly Twitter) accounts. Using a qualitative framing analysis, the study examines 112 original tweets – 45 from Trudeau and 67 from Biden – posted between October 7, 2023, and January 19, 2025. The research identifies key framing strategies, including problem definition, causal interpretation, moral evaluation, and treatment recommendations, to assess how both leaders framed the crisis's humanitarian, political, and security dimensions. Findings reveal both convergences and divergences in their framing strategies. Both leaders emphasized the humanitarian crisis, advocating for the application of international law, humanitarian assistance, and the establishment of ceasefires. However, while Trudeau's framing prioritized humanitarian concerns and diplomacy, Biden's tweets placed greater emphasis on terrorism, security, and Israel's right to self-defense. Trudeau's messaging was often more conciliatory, aligning with Canada's tradition of peacekeeping and humanitarian aid, while Biden's framing reflected the United States' strategic alliances and counterterrorism priorities. This study contributes to the growing body of research on political communication in digital spaces by demonstrating how social media serve as a strategic platform for crisis framing, diplomacy, and shaping public opinion. The findings underscore the influence of digital political framing in shaping global narratives and policy debates. The study concludes by proposing recommendations for future research on the evolving role of social media in political communication.