demagogue
noun
[ ˈdɛməɡɒɡ ]
• a political leader who seeks support by appealing to the desires and prejudices of ordinary people rather than by using rational argument.
• "a gifted demagogue with particular skill in manipulating the press"
demagogue
verb
• rhetorically exploit (an issue) for political purposes in a way calculated to appeal to the desires and prejudices of ordinary people.
• "he seems more interested in demagoguing the issue in media interviews than in dialogue"
Origin:
mid 17th century: from Greek dēmagōgos, from dēmos ‘the people’ + agōgos ‘leading’ (from agein ‘to lead’).
