Humor as a Political Act: Study of Indonesian Presidents’ Humor

This study aims to explain the use of humor by Indonesian presidents for political communication. Presidents’ is an interesting phenomenon, given that they are social subjects who wield great power within a country. Their position leads different characteristics and impacts due used. research uses qualitative descriptive approach. Data was collected from books, news sites, YouTube channels documenting three presidents. were then analyzed using pragmatic analysis. The results show presidential varies according personal preferences, speech objectives, contexts. Presidents joke, conversational humor, pun tease, praise, satirize, criticize, delegate power. Joking, teasing, praising used on friends allies. Meanwhile, satirizing criticizing applied opponents. Humor middle ground presidents, enabling them achieve objectives without explicitly expressing their intention. Politically, functions (1) represent oneself positively opponents negatively, (2) build relationships positioning with allies, (3) exercise control discipline. However, relationship between form, style, illocutionary often ambiguous. Such conditions seem related relations' dynamic equal nature, where foes not always crystal clear.