International lulz: Exploring the strategic logic of trolling in diplomacy

Abstract This article examines trolling in international diplomacy. It explores a developing trend in diplomatic communications: encounters which have historically been characterised by formality and politeness have increasingly been used by political leaders to troll their targets. While the second Trump administration embodies this ‘trolling turn’ in diplomacy, it extends beyond MAGA. Many leaders, particularly authoritarians and those with authoritarian tendencies, employ trolling within their communications strategies. Despite growing commentary on this phenomenon, its strategic logic remains underexplored in international relations scholarship. This article outlines a new theoretical framework explaining the strategic logic of trolling in international diplomacy and details a research agenda to investigate it further. The framework argues that there are five functions of diplomatic trolling: coercion, agenda setting, identification, delegitimisation and ( dis)ordering . Using examples from across the world, it highlights that trolling – characterised by aggression, humour, and deception – enables leaders to pursue maximalist objectives while avoiding political costs by denying the seriousness of their comments when challenged. It is an especially attractive strategy for actors who wish to disrupt the existing international order. However, it is a strategy laden with risk. By illuminating diplomatic trolling’s strategic logic, this article enhances understanding of a pressing issue in contemporary statecraft.