How Stephen King Predicted Trump's Rise Decades Ago | Opinions | NowThis

Author Stephen King predicted the rise of Trump 40 years ago - but he says the reality is scarier than anything he’s written.
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In US news, Stephen King sat down with NowThis to talk about President Trump and the eerie similarities between Donald Trump and the Stephen King Dead Zone character 'Greg Stillson.' Dead Zone is a novel King wrote in 1979, it features a a politician Greg Stillson, Donald Trump like in many ways. The Greg Stillson Trump similarities include his outlandish behavior and rise to power that is similar to the rise of Trump and the rise of Trumpism. But according to Stephen King, Donald Trump in reality is even scarier than what he wrote. Stephen King adaptations are extremely popular in movies and TV these days, and he continues to write books like The Shining sequel of sorts Doctor Sleep.
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[@plerpplerp5599]

"Never underestimate a man who overestimates himself." Franklin D. Roosevelt

[@newleaksman]

This goes perfect with the top comment haha Edit: Top comment was along the lines of "Never underestimate the power of human stupidity." -Robert A. Heinlein

[@everythingdibs344]

I’m not a trump supporter and 2020 is obviously just a build up of everything he did but I really wanna say that you should always have goals

[@lancejr152]

The Wraith I’m sure your a book enthusiast and have read “lots of books with crazy politicians” that have nearly spot on similarities as trump to stillson? Or just floating along the rest of the orange flakes trying to cover your triggered feelings? Never mind, Trump is just a dumbass, so as the people that support him. Not much of a prediction.

[@zerologic7912]

@The Wraith it does say a lot about the capacity for most human beings to learn though

[@jasonlyle3818]

Hhhmmmm who does that remind me of? Oh yeah! Stephen King!

[@renz2953]

Why do I imagine Trump saying that Stillson is a rip-off of him.

[@NickB-md1oy]

Reaching so far you might fall over dude.

[@weltschmertzz]

@@NickB-md1oy you have been living under a rock.

[@doctortrouserpants1387]

He's probably already claimed that he wrote all of Stephen King's books.

[@jasonlyle3818]

because you've been watching too much CNN?

[@jasonlyle3818]

@P Watson actually I don't watch either of them, unlike you guys I don't need a guy in a nice suit to tell me what to think.

[@karenshaub8273]

Reality is always scarier than fiction.

[@reggveg]

So many crying nitwit liberals on here to laugh at...lol

[@nuckinfuts7610]

That's your go-to leisurely activity? And there you have it, the unfulfilling life of a simpleton.

[@reggveg]

@@nuckinfuts7610 Boo Hoo.

[@TheFrio937]

@@reggveg God bless you, May the lord have mercy.

[@cletusspucklerstablejeaniu1059]

slways scarier ... are you sure?

[@brogs60]

"As democracy is perfected, the office of the President represents, more and more closely, the inner soul of the people. On some great and glorious day, the plain folks of the land will reach their hearts desire at last, and the White House will be occupied by a downright fool and a complete narcissistic moron " H.L.Mencken - The Baltimore Evening Sun, July 26, 1920.

[@AA-ek5kz]

wow just wow

[@joecascade5105]

luckily we are a Republc and not a silly Democracy. Read 'your' pledge of ALLEGIANCE (get a dictionary) "1 REPUBLIC....."

[@alejandrovargas9825]

Aedriane Garcia naw this country has lost its way

[@justinw1219]

@@joecascade5105 wait...😂

[@thorlivingstone6873]

Its all about education. Democracy is a concept for giving a voice to common people.If you keep them dump you get the results.Thanks Lance,for proof.btw, does anybody do the research on this Mencken - guy that Quote is from ? DO IT!

[@peterbrough2461]

HL Mencken predicted it 99 years ago 😁😳 "On some great and glorious day the plain folks of the land will reach their heart's desire at last, and the White House will be adorned by a downright moron"

[@annek1226]

Yep, that’s him! I’ve been calling him that since day one!

[@richardcory5024]

Until Trump came along we were all thinking that Mencken might have been referring to Dubya. Was Trump pushed forward to salvage Bush's reputation?

[@bluesjass5042]

😱 Oh no! If l click my heels 3 times maybe it'll go away

[@peterbrough2461]

@Daniel Embree Right. Obama was the editor of the Harvard Law Review while Trump bankrupted casinos and became a game show host. Makes sense to me.

[@OuterGalaxyLounge]

But Bush Jr. beat him to it.

[@alfredgomez3128]

Good fiction typically tackle what if scenarios, inspired by both past and current affairs. Many don't take these moral pieces to heart until said fictional problem becomes reality.

[@gregorybroussard2660]

Alfred Gomez Yes. Yes. Yes.

[@obeb787]

There basically a mental exercise to make awareness!

[@scottgust9709]

Fearful nonsense

[@rosesmith6925]

Alfred Gomez, yes that's true but the Many things that are similar are downright frighteningly eerie!

[@Serai3]

YOU may not take them to heart. I was seriously freaked out by The Dead Zone when it came out in 1979, because I knew how easily this could happen. I've been waiting for it to happen ever since, and here we are. LOTS of people take this stuff to heart, dude.

[@pearloftheuniverse3699]

Bought a hard copy of this novel at goodwill the day trump announced he was running for president and read it as he was “campaigning”, it was very surreal to say the least

[@maximus1811]

gracie v, Read the book in late 1979. Love Stephen King. When I heard trump announced he was running for president....I yelled "F×cker is Greg Stillson" my friends were in shock to see me so rattled and needed an explanation of my behavior. I recounted book and that trump is the character Stillson. They didn't believe me in 2015 and now they DO! My friends have a habit of knocking on wood when I say stuff? If this virus continues and we all don't get stimulus $... We are all going to end up at Goodwill and Thift shops for our family's needs. They have great stuff. Found a 100% silk designer jacket. Lable still on worth $300. I once worked at a tre'chic clothing boutique. Paid $10.00 and gifted it to my elderly white hair friend....she looks fabulous!

[@gortnewton4765]

Democrat voter and you are shopping in goodwill. Ok.

[@dedpxl]

ahhaha I love that

[@jamesmoore8667]

@@gortnewton4765 Nothing wrong with shopping at Goodwill. It also has nothing to do with what party you support.

[@gortnewton4765]

@@jamesmoore8667 Supporting Goodwill is good.

[@snapdragon9300]

You know your screwed when Stephen King Novels become a reality. 😱

[@MoiraWillenov]

^this

[@hmpz36911]

I'm now waiting for a werewolf and a demonic clown.

[@steph13326ify]

Just finished reading "The Dead Zone" and it was like King was actually writing about Trump. Scarily accurate.

[@RobertEskuri]

@Mohan Raaj Trump plague

[@FadzilAdept]

@Steph Grace if u think a greedy businessman is any better... If u a normal citizen, well good luck surviving then. Don't ended up poor ok😂

[@Alvan81]

@Steph Grace Ted Kennedy was a Drunk. But Ted Kennedy watched his 3 Brothers, and arguably better men get killed for what they believed! Trump has never had any adversity and is a good Salesman. Stinson was a Travelling Salesman. Ted Kennedy tried to become a better person in the end. Trump is Stillson all the way. You're not a businessman after Six Bankruptcies you're a leverage expert.

[@lordjask1226]

@Steph Grace dont you become a politician after entering politics? Just because trump wasn't a politician doesn't mean he isn't now. He is what he says he isn't, he does it all the time, I don't think most politician's in history just pop out of wombs in suits and start campaigning

[@ChrisCollins068]

Mohan Raaj 👈🤪🤪🤪

[@Kira1Lawliet]

It's not that King predicted Trump necessarily, but rather that he was simply drawing on the kind of demagoguery and manipulative populism that has been a favorite tool of crooked and rotten politicians since the days of Ancient Greece. Although, I will admit, the finer resemblances to Trump and his campaign are certainly eerie.

[@JJchi834]

Yes, he predicted his profile

[@medusaspupil]

The movie "Needful Things " by Stephen King is more similar with how trump is playing the people against each other.

[@benkennedy7644]

@Lil Heinz94 Ever hear of capitalizing the words at the beginning of a sentence Lil Heinz boy? Is that some kind of secret "troll the libs" code that makes you somehow feel like you are a "rugged individualist" or are you, like the ketchup, just 57 kinds of stupid?? Your MAGAot intellect and thoughtfully articulated response are stunning...haha. You f*cking tRump tards are the DUMBEST waste of human skin I have seen in 60+ years on this planet!! I know that the old nursery rhyme says "Sticks and stones may break my bones but words will never hurt me" (especially when you are too ignorant to understand the words…especially if they are “big words”!!) so I think we are getting close to the time when real Americans everywhere will try our luck on you pathetic morons with "sticks and stones"!

[@MGood-ij1hi]

The hubris of Americans believing that "it couldn't happen here " also set them up for a psychopathic authoritarian leader

[@countbinfaceglobalpresiden7926]

@Lil Heinz94 Look who's taiking hahaha 😂

[@Drecon84]

One important difference though: Stillson is a self-made man. Trump is just throwing away inherited money daily.

[@bademoxy]

he started with ONE million, now a multibillionaire. most people who inherit (or win)that much starter money blow it on luxury items or bad investments .that's AVERAGE people, putting Trump into a well above average catagory , in terms of overall success. he's not the sharpest -there are sharper business people-but he's not incompetent either. so please cut the partisanship and get real

[@dreddiknight]

@@bademoxy hahaha! 413 million you mean. And when rich people with the right contacts become bankrupt, as he did several times, they can rely on those contacts to regain their wealth. It is self evident that trump is below average in intelligence, vindictive, arrogant, and without empathy.

[@dreddiknight]

@@bademoxy and people who inherit lots of money do not usually lose it. That is not statistically true.

[@quizzabella]

@@dreddiknight Yup, the whole started with one million dollars has been debunked countless times. He slapped his name on some big buildings that no-one wants to live in anymore and actually managed to bankrupt his own casino. Putin definately has dirt on him and he should be held accountable for deny the threat of Covid-19.

[@captaincolt1611]

quizzabella it’s ridiculous that people say trump isn’t an incredible businessman. If he had never ran for president everyone would still think he’s a pretty cool dude and that he’s incredibly smart business wise. But since he ran as a republican everyone gets so mad at people who don’t share the same views as them. And COVID should be blamed on China not trump. I don’t even know why you would think it should be blamed on him.

[@oneprettycookie7446]

When the master of horror says you are scarier than anything he could write. You are a dangerous person.

[@evaninnyc]

Amen!!!

[@Sam-cn2ok]

Lol. When a millionaire who's never affected by the progressive Marxist ideals he votes for tells the average Joe living in a burnt out Minneapolis neighbourhood that he should be scared of putting America first and you believe him? Well, you must be a neighbour in his rich white neighbourhood and immune from diversity.

[@AM-dg7ww]

@@Sam-cn2ok Wow, a person that actually has some sense in this comment section. That's rare to see.

[@Sam-cn2ok]

@@AM-dg7ww I'm watching vox to study insanity in crowds. 😂

[@AM-dg7ww]

@@Sam-cn2okCNN also has good content when it comes to delusional crowds.

[@myMelody4life]

Q: "Do you think President Trump is scarier than a Steven King novel?" A: The fact that you can seriously ask that question today is already pretty telling...

[@videolad3057]

You can ask any question you can think of.

[@ml1968lf]

Anti - Science administration CUT BIO-DEFENSES built UP by Bush & Obama cut DOWN by Trump Sabotage made U.S.A. BIO-DEFENSES-LESS Lock HIM up ! Lock HIM up ! Dumbo Don !

[@darrellrees4371]

The Dead Zone Huh? I was thinking more like the Twilight Zone, but yeah. Either way, I keep hoping somebody would wake me up.

[@derp195]

Well myMelody4life from 8 months ago, have I got some news for you.

[@lanacooper2086]

myMelody4life so true. 😭😧😮😔

[@tharp769]

Oh. My. God. I just watched "The Dead Zone, again, about 6 months ago...& thought the same f#@king thing. Great work of fiction. Terrifying reality.

[@joeschmoe233]

T Harp LOL....I see no comparison. It doesn’t surprise me though that King compared him to a lunatic. Haha 😂

[@jamigen1]

Could you relate when you watched it?

[@terryloi6975]

I didn't see the movie, but I did read the book. I never thought we would have a President from US that could reassemble this Character

[@janaschwehm3059]

I thought (at the time) that "Dead Zone was the BEST Stephen King movie adaptation. It was an EXCELLENT book and movie!

[@robertschlesinger1342]

I agree with Stephen King: The Donald Trump Presidency is scarier than a Stephen King novel. This is truly a dangerous situation that will soon reach a critical point where there are largely irreversible cascading failures.

[@los_reyes9517]

Robert Schlesinger Trump 2020

[@rogerdavies2796]

Maybe you should read a Stephen King novel !!!!

[@saxkacfe2737]

Stephen King is scarier than Trump ;)

[@reptomicus]

@Hugh Ropp You show signs of Covfefe-19

[@robertschlesinger1342]

@@Ty_Mathieson Thank you for your interesting and thought-provoking comment. Trump is further proof that the American political system doesn't work. The founding fathers didn't intend for it to be this way. Perhaps some form of Parliamentary system to elect the highest officials. The American masses are without a doubt too stupid, ignorant, and naive to make big decisions such as the election of a President. Who's next Kim Kardashian or Justin Bieber that the masses would elect?

[@meh6274]

The economy just has the worst quarter it has ever had on record. We could have eased this, prevented some of the losses. We didn’t. Please vote in November

[@brad8562]

Yea vote for dementia

[@edwardyang8254]

Neither side worth a vote. Biden is no less horrible to the working America.

[@janicejohnson6438]

@@edwardyang8254 Sorry, but Biden is 1000 times better than Trump. But then so is a chimpanzee. Vote Blue, No Matter Who!!

[@kindnepenthe1718]

Edward Yang unfortunately, in this political climate, not voting is just voting for trump for pathetic moderates. stop being passive. make a change. vote blue.

[@janicejohnson6438]

@@kindnepenthe1718 I agree, unless you want another four years of the orange buffoon you must vote blue

[@markgreen4612]

The parallels between The Dead Zone and the Trump presidency are truly amazing.

[@daisydaswani689]

@leicanoct not yet... yet is the key part

[@helenpatterson3858]

@leicanoct We don't know, and if he did he probably got Michael Cohen to pay off the owners with hush money and threatened them if they ever talked about it, they would discover what true suffering is.

[@g.e.o.r.g.e...]

@@helenpatterson3858 you're obsessed.

[@bundy26]

@@g.e.o.r.g.e..., and you're in denial.

[@viktormartinez1405]

@@g.e.o.r.g.e... you must be really concerned, I see you in a lot of left wing comment sections. It's ok to admit you were duped. We all were

[@MB-it9fn]

The twilight zone 21st century 😱

[@appletherapy3492]

Yep

[@jkateilsel4492]

Wish that was true, but this is stark reality!

[@Chas-OTE]

We wish it was the Twilight Zone...

[@musnahkantahilembu8342]

See you night in November 11 2020 ;)

[@jackmallory7996]

Sounds like Trump must have read the Dead Zone but that couldn't be cos he ain't never read a book. So he must have seen the movie.

[@oldkarate]

That would include his own book "The Art of the Deal". He never read it and someone else wrote it.

[@karenimber8870]

He thought Greg stiltons was the good guy.

[@sawtooth808]

Unless there is an illustrated version of The Dead Zone, Trump will not have read it

[@Branfaol1]

Trump doesn't read anything without lots of pictures or his name in it through out.

[@sylviaross5486]

Jack Mallory Man, I can't even picture Trump being able to sit down & watch a movie, especially a Stephen King movie.

[@carlmart5797]

I read The Dead Zone about 9 years ago. You can start imagining how I felt when Trump gained a following in 2016...

[@cassandrastell2248]

I read the book in 2015... It was horrible 😂

[@flygirlhoney_]

I read the book many years ago and it was one of the first things I thought of when Trump actually started to gain traction.

[@michellegrande777]

How does it end for Stillson

[@EmFo-sm5kx]

If you don't vote against the orange madness 2020 could be worse than it is now.

[@chrisrj9871]

A lot of people also compared it to the rise of Hitler...

[@StephanieHatfield8]

I hope my hair looks that good when I reach my 70’s. Grateful for his lifetime of work. He is my favorite author, hands down.

[@SongJiangShiJin]

I hope I'd look this good when it stepped away from deaths door once. King is not only one of the best authors, he is a fighter through and through. He worked himself through poverty, he worked himself from near death to the land of the living all while writing incredibly good novels.

[@zee9709]

His hair just like those old guy in comic character 😲

[@lukehuang7821]

Thought you were talking about trump for a moment, ha that scared me.

[@mrmojorisin6951]

Quite unsettling, when the "King of Horror" is horrified!

[@ballistaz2872]

Meanwhile nothing has happened. A much more unsettling presidency would be Bernie Sanders or Hillary Clinton.

[@allybean8885]

I know I was afraid before, but now.....

[@rockyjordon7839]

@@ballistaz2872 u r a total POS

[@ballistaz2872]

Rocky Jordon how?

[@Radioposting]

O.K., so we have "The Dead Zone" and "The Stand" COMBINED!... What could possibly go wrong?

[@richardcoolidge1071]

Next thing you know...kids will start seeing Pennywise and adults won't believe it

[@galvinsharon]

That photo of a noose hanging in front of the Capitol looks like a still photo from The Stand. Absolutely horrifying. When I first heard of a noose being there, I thought it was symbolic of revolution. Then it dawned at me that it went beyond symbolism, it was for the actual purpose of killing someone. Stomach-turning. God help us all.

[@TweedSuit]

Reporter: How do you rate President Stillson over Reagan? Trump: He was weak. Low energy.

[@AlexisMitchell87]

This is “Twilight Zone” level scary. I wonder if Trump based his political career on “Dead Zone”.

[@appletherapy3492]

Very possible.

[@qwert5854]

Alexis Mitchell seems like something Rodger Stone his former campaign manager would have done. Y’all should consider watching get me Rodger Stone on Netflix it was really good and pretty informative

[@Red-pv7kx]

udor nyc Okay, that made me lol

[@power-corrupts]

This was reason number one not to vote for individual number one. He's literally the last person on earth you want with his finger on the little red button.

[@AlexisMitchell87]

Power corrupts he shouldn’t have power nor a platform. Period. As proven by the people he’s radicalized.

[@inthevault9603]

That was terrifying. I now want to read The Dead Zone and see the movie as well.

[@tharp769]

Please do! It's classic...& currently terrifying.

[@johnjay9404]

Read the book first, I implore you. It explains the depths of the mind. It has many layers.

[@LSgrimm91]

Well this aged well, especially after January 6th

[@MrTechGamer180]

My worst dream came to life: WE ARE LIVING IN A KINGS'S NOVEL 😮😮

[@jeangold8789]

nightmare

[@samyakgadkari8568]

Two of his novel, The Stand and The Dead Zone.

[@kellydixon729]

The accuracy of this👍

[@EmFo-sm5kx]

Actually it is worse, just imagine a clown wearing a toupee with orange tan, who bankrupted every business he has and that is probably a conman, wants 4 more years, that is a living nightmare.

[@samyakgadkari8568]

@@EmFo-sm5kx Sure is

[@avelus5984]

Looks like he is the “King” of predicting.

[@cokemango]

No simpsons

[@user-wl2vj6yk7x]

Lmao🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@bigboy9693]

Looks like King has TDS and is one of the so called elite that thinks he is better than you are. he is one of the reasons people vote for Trump.

[@rhysperegrine5100]

You said 'It'!

[@luisramrod9121]

We are living in a horror novel 😱

[@charin951]

You’re stupid

[@babrown1978]

@@charin951 and so are you welcome to humanity

[@intricatic]

Just be glad it's not IT.

[@dirrdevil]

@@intricatic But Trump is a clown!

[@playablue]

Black people been seeing the for a while now lol

[@theodoremartin9333]

The movie adaption of the Dead Zone is one of the best movies based on a King book I have seen. Christopher Walken is just so naturally different he was perfect in the lead

[@AloysiusSavant29]

Stephen King is a national treasure.

[@SeptimusPrime]

"Never underestimate stupidity in large numbers!" - George Carlin

[@jamesfitzgerald8267]

@Hugh Ropp I know, they keep calling everyone communists and socialists even though no one noteworthy is actually suggesting converting to either one and they just want everyone to be taken care of, it's nuts I know.

[@u.s.paratroops4633]

MIB quote: A person is smart, People are dumb, dangerous panicky animals.....

[@johnnysalter7072]

It was miraculous. It was almost no trick at all, he saw, to turn vice into virtue and slander into truth, impotence into abstinence, arrogance into humility, plunder into philanthropy, thievery into honor, blasphemy into wisdom, brutality into patriotism, and sadism into justice. Anybody could do it; it required no brains at all. It merely required no character.” ― Joseph Heller, Catch 22

[@bigguyusa193]

@Papillomas Binturong so, where, has communism or socialism or any other "ism" been successful or good for the people it suppresses ?

[@strawberryfieldswhenever]

"Think of how stupid the average person is, and then realize half of them are stupider than that." -George Carlin

[@curiousworld7912]

When Trump was elected, one of my first thoughts was of 'The Dead Zone'.

[@hushg2000]

Mine was Biff from BTTF instantly ... I couldn’t believe it

[@laralawrence22]

Lol wheres the dead zone now, lol!!

[@connectivitytissues1429]

Next time your spidy sense goes off like this again, please let us know immediately! We don't need a repeat of this mess! ☺️

[@vilmaromero7313]

s p my was 💩💩🤡

[@yup_its_ME.512]

and I immediately thought of the movie “Idiocracy” made in 2006 and my then teenage boys were begging me to see it with them bcuz it was sooooo funny. Well, it’s not funny anymore! 😱

[@yingnyang]

There is no entity dumber than the American public.

[@phonehouse2555]

Unfortunately all of us are .all the planet is corrupt

[@DT-267K]

Many presidential-esque campaigns in South American countries tend to resemble DT's when he ran. But many are, somehow, even worse than _that._

[@yingnyang]

@LameBrainMcCain #1 in what?

[@yingnyang]

@LameBrainMcCain lmao - I guess you never paid attention in history class. Most of what you described is because of the vast wealth this country amassed during slavery. *smh. So yeah I guess you can say the US is number one in the same way trump is a business wiz by starting out with a million dollar loan from his dad. Seriously?

[@yingnyang]

@LameBrainMcCain omg no you simpleton. Slavery allowed the US to grow at an unprecedented pace in comparison to other countries while also stifling the growth of others. It's like running a mile and getting a 1/3 mile head start. The US was able to invest in things like tech and industry far ahead of other nations because it had 200 years of free labor and at the same time bled Africa of more than 50% of its population. It is basic stuff, common knowledge. Not sure what you are arguing here. But if aren't able to understand any of this then there is nothing more I can do to help you. God you are a perfect example of why they should have an IQ test before allowing some people to vote. *smh

[@maidenfan4927]

I can’t believe how spot on he is with Stillson/trump

[@georginatoland]

Beware of populists. Check out the 1957 movie “A Face in the Crowd” starring Andy Griffith. You will hear Fox News.

[@janewright315]

It's not populists per se, it's fake populists

[@sheriff7935]

Georgina Toland populism will help beat donald trump. The economic-populism of Bernie Sanders

[@PyroFacinatioN]

@Terrapin243 It answers the question; what if totalitarianism takes over, regardless of ideology. Such a biased answer man. Orwell was a socialist himself until he saw the rise of communism in Spain and Russia. It can come from both sides. Antifa are currently the closest thing to actual fascists by the way. The mainstream media are very close to totalitarianism in a long while, refusing to acknowledge any standpoint other than the ones they agree with, and you know this if you're not blind.

[@NewNormalWorldOrder]

“Beware of populists” No... beware of ALL politicians and all government. Y’all really think Obama, for example, is better than Trump or that they aren’t really on the same team behind the scenes? Lmao... that’s laughable.

[@dirtysanchez941]

Omg! I just recorded, A Face In The Crowd on TCM!! Haven't watched it yet, now I can't wait to see it. Better not watch it before bed!!

[@connectivitytissues1429]

Let's see... Stephen King knows horror, and Trump is *horrifying (you're welcome @Barbara McCormack.) This seems like it checks out to me...

[@connectivitytissues1429]

@leicanoct no.

[@connectivitytissues1429]

@leicanoct also I AM in first grade, what's your poor excuse? 🤔

[@nThanksForAllTheFish]

'It is The Nature of Grotesque Things That You Can't Look Away' - Pete Buttigieg

[@connectivitytissues1429]

@@nThanksForAllTheFish people love watching train wrecks and Nascar accidents...Mayor Pete, was right about that...

[@ronbyers4769]

@leicanoct Joey has 162 Likes? How many do you have?

[@bellatrixareforkids7406]

Stephen King is the love of my horror loving life, but even he can't hold a candle to the reality we are facing today.

[@sabin97]

@@Kitty_B i admit that i havent read any of his novels(i tend to read science and technology, not a lot of fiction), but i have watched some movies base don his novels. unless the movie makers completely changed all the stories, i would expect the novels to be quite good. the essence of the story in the movies i've watched is quite interesting.

[@tonksnjoysatan8503]

@@sabin97 his novels are fantastic! It's that slow kind of horror where the anticipation builds&you know who the bad guy is but you can't stop it and are forced to sit back and watch. His books are really great

[@Radioposting]

If King were to write what's taking place right now, the book would fail because nobody would believe it. "suspension of disbelief" only goes so far... Beyond ridiculous.

[@Waldo666ify]

Most of his film adaptations are good but his books are WAY better. The characters in his books have more of a background story plus so much stuff is cut out of the films to pass as an R rating. IT for example has a scene a in the book where a child is found during the winter completely frozen and with his intestines hanging out of his stomach in one of the chapters that explains Derrys past incidents with pennywise.

[@celtjim994]

He also predicted reality TV in "The Running Man"

[@JE-ng4ty]

It seems human stupidity is constant

[@spir5102]

Thank you Stephen Kingfor creating this fictional character that turns out to be Trump in real life. Very enlightening.

[@eliza1826]

Lmao

[@Maja-Danmark]

@Kevin McDougall - lol

[@thierry860]

@Daniel Embree Stephen king WAS a drug addict. Beside, what's your point ?

[@joeschmoe233]

cindy o I wonder if Steve had a monster for socialist democrats

[@thierry860]

@@joeschmoe233 what kind of monster would fight for the people against the evil billionnaires making tax cuts for themselves ?

[@williamheuber3845]

I love what you write, and I love your politics! To me Stephen, you are one of the greatest writers to grace our planet!!

[@fortune_roses]

Wow.. never underestimate the intuitive genius of a deeply creative soul

[@nedstudios6490]

A man with fragile ego is a dangerous thing - Eric Martin

[@brettelliott4116]

I would say that Trump must had read The Dead Zone, but I know that Trump can't read, so he must have watched the movie.

[@tuckerbowen4626]

(SPOILER ALERT) you're forgetting one major difference between reality and fiction: if _Trump_ tried to use an innocent baby as a shield, it wouldn't hurt him in the slightest

[@seaoftranquility7228]

Beat me to it. I just made exactly the same comment. They’re already happy to sacrifice their grandparents.

[@caitlynwinchester369]

@@seaoftranquility7228 and those with bad immune systems..

[@quintas66]

The act of using a baby as a shield would somehow be viewed as a badass move by these horrible people.

[@Zett76]

Fox News: it was an immigrant democrat sleeper muslim ANTIFA baby!

[@gspendlove]

Not only that, if the baby were shot and then Trump slammed it on the ground like an NFL player spiking a football, Fox News and OANN would start looking into who the baby's parents were. Hannity: "Fox has just learned that the mother of the baby who seemingly jumped in front of President Trump to stop the bullet and then jumped to the floor....was a Democrat."

[@maryvonef]

Actually you might have inspired trump or those who facilitated his rise. Trump is Greg stillson

[@ivyking4149]

Stephen, greetings from Amsterdam, Holland, love your work!

[@demeter-the-great]

Wow. The similarities are unreal. *_Don the Con_* is the only thing that should be chanted at his rallies.

[@Gilmaris]

Even the first time I heard Donald call Hillary "Crooked Hillary", I knew it was just so he could be the first to level that accusation against his opponent, and so prevent Hillary from using that adjective - appropriately - on Trump. And the damnedest thing is that his followers fell for it.

[@mai_tq]

Just in case, people beware if there is a pet cemetery close to your home.

[@elizabethsullivan7176]

Actually, we have a pet cemetery in the back yard at my parents house with 2 birds, one dog, and 3 cats. It's been there for more than 20 years and so far the animals have all stayed in the ground

[@generalpopcorn6427]

Great. Just great. So we're living in a combination of "The Stand" and "The Dead Zone".

[@marykrismoss1861]

“Drain the swamp” is worse than “kick the bums out”. As long as The Stand isn’t predictive. Chills...

[@JohnWilliams-nw7of]

Swamp thing got swampER! Dosen't matter who's President. Keeps getting worse.

[@illuminotme4261]

Exactly covid is " captain tripps" but if you believe in any politician might as well believe in Santa Claus.

[@juliewake4585]

This is terrifying. It’s as if it was a manual, rather than a prediction.

[@andrewb4999]

Everyone needs to see the 90s Tim Robbin’s movie Bob Roberts. It’s another great piece that basically predicted Trump’s presidency.

[@simplethings3730]

"Vote now. Ask questions later." Thanks, I had forgotten about that one.

[@joeschmoe233]

Andrew B that movie sucked, not sure what you’re talking about.

[@Hedgewalkers]

Makes me want to watch “The Dead Zone” again!

[@welcometoreality437]

How ironical, it's the same strategy that Adolph Hitler used.

[@suzanneforasiepi129]

We need to be scared.

[@JamesSmith-vk2ky]

No, not really. What's there to be scared of? The fact of the matter is that life on earth is literally BETTER than it's ever been. Life is easier than it's ever been. Things are actually so good, that people (typically leftists/democrats) have to invent non-existent problems to fill the vacuum of a lack of struggle in their lives. It's not cool to make up problems when there aren't any.

[@JamesSmith-vk2ky]

@Allison Really? How exactly is life on earth threatened? And there's no threat against our American REPUBLIC. So, what exactly has you so worked up & scared?

[@suzanneforasiepi129]

Allison thank you

[@suzanneforasiepi129]

Claudette J thank you

[@charin951]

Allison no it’s not threatened. If u mean the thousands of illegal immigrants coming in every month.. sure then

[@aquaticborealis4877]

It's funny, I've totally been thinking of The Dead Zone and the parallels to Trump in the last year. The book is excellent, and so is the movie.

[@billwesolowski2609]

Same here, I have been discussing with my wife the similarities for the past year. It was a great book and we have not been able to stop the discussions on just how in line this presidency is with it. Crazy stuff.

[@franklingreen4719]

When I watch The Manchurian Candidate I think of Obama!

[@glennhodges]

Saying that Trump is like Stillson is as asinine as saying that King is like Ray Bradbury.

[@CanisLupusSteparium]

Isn’t it more likely that Trump watched the movie and became deeply inspired and influenced by it? Even copying some elements, like the white hard hat or the bikers reference?

[@jorgepeterbarton]

Life follows art, even subliminally. How many writers predicted all the technology we type this on? Then that more definitely inspired inventors in a lot of cases to actually want to make that stuff.

[@dedpxl]

@@jorgepeterbarton or maybe the same thought process behind imagining technology for a book is what is used to create the products in reality. think about it, you're tasked with imagining something that would be useful and practical to use that you'd like to own. that same thought process is what makes science fiction and actual technology. (hint one is more useful than the other)

[@annnw3808]

My thoughts exactly! This movie inspired him.

[@karig1994]

No wonder Trump doesn't have a dog, dogs know evil

[@cmscms123456]

Trumps dogs would TEAR into the CNN reporters, they know their Master's enemies...

[@bigboy9693]

In Islam, dogs are killed because they are demons.

[@mistermax3034]

@Ryoshikari What an awful religion.

[@mistermax3034]

@Ryoshikari dogs aren't allowed inside the home? I'd rather have a dog sooner than I'd have most humans in my home.

[@CorporateShill]

@@mistermax3034 no wonder you liberals are antisocial

[@jackp.3605]

Co worker told me about this. Then I looked it up. And now, I'm more scared-er than ever.

[@zaasfromparis]

I can’t tell how much I love and respect this man , my fist grown up book that I read was Carrie I was 12 and since then I never stopped reading his books (I’m 41) I even made a list to my teen nieces on what SK book they should read

[@CSGraves]

See also: 'It Can't Happen Here' by Sinclair Lewis.

[@justaninja1]

I wonder if Trump read that book. I know, I know, it's ridiculous to think that he actually reads anything but it's plausible that at least some of his benefactors did.

[@MangoLussi]

He watched the film. He's too senile to read books

[@miker.9138]

Just started reading Christine today. (Trying to get through the handful of SK books I haven't read yet.)

[@KnowledgeSeeker78491]

It's the precursor to these self driving cars

[@doctorthirteen5727]

Better hurry, there's a new one coming out in October.

[@jenniferwilson6977]

Be sure to read Skeleton Crew, a collection of short stories, and, my favorite, The Ballad of the Flexible Bullet. Brilliant!

[@juliakercsmar6587]

Same. The first SK i read was IT, then Carrie, then 11.22.63. Downright loved them but i couldn't watch the mini series all the way through about 112263

[@gilgamesh6135]

Love the free advertisement this man got 😂

[@Barzins1]

Love your books Mr. King. Thanks for hours of entertainment.

[@deepattison9329]

I have said that the Trump presidency is scarier than a Stephen King novel, for months.

[@frankwhite4242]

@Hugh Ropp lol show me evidence that trump is supported by billions

[@johnnysalter7072]

I used to enjoy reading a Vampire novel or two every year, but I started re-reading the Ann Rice novel "The Vampire Lestat" but it was not even spooky in the least bit compared to Trump.

[@johnnysalter7072]

@Hugh Ropp Break out the Clorox.

[@marlenemead5030]

@TheJamtrav DEMs drink the kids blood.

[@GabrielRaskind]

Hugh Ropp where exactly are you getting your info? Because I’m fairly certain that the rest of the world think trump is a laughing stock.

[@Germatti13489]

Yes, I think so too. This pandemic kind of reminds me of his book, The Stand mixed with The Dead Zone.

[@Germatti13489]

@Stephanie Logan yes, me too. I didn't know if anyone else would understand it. 😁

[@cv2594]

I was just telling my friend about the stand now i hear about this story 😳

[@jblazesmyth505]

@Stephanie Logan I've been saying it since this all started First trump and now covid19

[@maxg6760]

@Stephanie Logan that’s an insult to Randall Flagg Person.. Woman.. Man.......... Camera TV! 🤣

[@eleanorhinton5816]

Yes it does you nailed it!

[@kelebogilemakhudu6262]

When a dystopia comes true 💀

[@donnaclemmons3721]

Oh my god ! Trump saw the movie and decided to live it.

[@neiljohnson5351]

When life imitates a Stephen King novel, you know things are going to get fcuked up!

[@simplethings3730]

The Dead Zone was the first Stephen King novel I ever read. I never connected the dots until I saw this video. The parallels between Greg Stillson and Trump are so amazing that I wonder if Trump got some of his campaign ideas from the book.

[@joeschmoe233]

David barnes stuff 2 except that Trump isn’t insane and he hasn’t launched a nuke yet, but yeah, I guess so.

[@DaveGIS123]

Trump probably didn't read the book, but he might have seen the movie.

[@joeschmoe233]

Domagoj Čović true dat

[@priscillajimenez27]

Considering how weird his books are, I can see trump being like a character in his novels: narcissistic trying to please evil dad and liking his own daughter

[@jayviescas7703]

"The truth is scarier by far than anything that Stephen King could write..." from the Bette Midler song Laughing Matters from her 1998 album Bathhouse Betty. Blame Bette Midler as well! She also predicted Ronald Reagan's presidency. Still love her though as she is one of the biggest tRump critic celebrities out there, and King is a close second.

[@Truth4reality]

Great to see that all the riches stephen king has he is in a wrinkled shirt you lounge around the house in..This guy is truly humble..if you dont know he is worth 400 million!

[@katiekane5247]

An is a very charitable guy too.

[@Truth4reality]

@Daniel Embree 😂😂😂😂😂

[@theone1517]

The real reason why Steven King knows everything is because he's secretly a time travler!

[@eds6889]

TheOne 151 or maybe a time traveler?

[@Dazzboomer]

I knew what was going to happen over 30 years ago when I saw him on Oprah Winfrey and told my whole family then, that one day he would bring total chaos to this country and he has.

[@SamuraiSnake]

I'll have to watch The Dead Zone as well as read it sometime.

[@RobertEskuri]

The movie is as good as the book 👍 like the Green Mile, and Shawshank redemption. 👍

[@mannysikario]

"They care about the dogs, man." Lmao

[@Skittenmeow]

Never kick the dog! #1 villain trope out there.

[@DudePickles75]

Stephen king is my hero. I love his books!

[@moonbasealpha-nd6zh]

subbed

[@KILLAWATTS804]

Scary prediction because we are definitely here now....i have faith that we can turn this thing around and maybe come out much better and aware than we were before

[@Mark-kq6ch]

I know...I felt that way in 2016, and thankfully, the right person won :) We still have a lot of work to do...4 more years!

[@Mark-kq6ch]

@Ben Riley Get ready for more heartache! :)

[@Mark-kq6ch]

@Ben Riley I'm not "rooting" for heartache-I just know it's coming for you. And I truly wish the best for you in advance. Have a nice day.

[@KILLAWATTS804]

@Ben Riley man thats the whole Republican party.....i know im through trying to prove how much of a disaster Trump is and the people that support him...

[@KILLAWATTS804]

@Ben Riley wouldnt say delusional but weak....

[@billcbren]

The Dead Zone is my favorite King novel. Sad and moving.

[@katiemaxwell114]

The Dead Zone was my favorite book as a teen. I ended up watching the series when I went to college, but nothing is as good as the novel. So weird that Trump is so similar to the Stillson boogeyman.

[@parisgreen4600]

If you haven't seen it yet, I would also recommend the movie version with Christopher Walken and Martin Sheen. Really good.

[@haydenmary4849]

i forgot it was a tv series

[@TabithaElkins]

I can't believe this! I actually read "The Dead Zone" as a teen (my sister Naomi gave it to me when she was finished). All of these years later.... King really nailed it, didn't he? I think I have to re-read it!

[@KDC705]

Huh..... So Steven King predicted this happening first. Wow and spooky at the same time.

[@joeschmoe233]

KDC705 I don’t think King could predict his next bowel movement.

[@teNpac47]

I swear to God almighty I thought of this movie immediately when Trump won!!! The Dead Zone

[@rickballs9641]

Great observations and awareness.

[@7g3p]

Imagine how surreal it would've been for Stephen King seeing a guy so much like a character he wrote rising to the presidency

[@samueladams3213]

bernie 2020

[@Sora_Nai]

yang 2020

[@wheelfan100]

Trump 2020

[@Th3-3nd]

So we're all living in an Steve King novel. So Meta.. So terrifying...

[@raffaelemandarano9559]

Excuse me what’s the book he suggest at the end of the video?? Thank you

[@connor25]

Well this didn't age well with Biden in charge eh?

[@lilibee3443]

Down with the “Stillsonites”!

[@tyrannosaurusburke]

So Martin Sheen plays a nightmare politician in a 1983 movie, then goes on to play a dream President of the United States in "The West Wing" 16 years later. Ironic.

[@at5286]

Dan Burke Haha

[@MangoLussi]

His son Charlie is now a Trumpster after initially opposing him 😟

[@tyrannosaurusburke]

smed rock Charlie is also a joke after initially being a good actor.

[@teresah.6696]

Stephen's hair is cool!

[@carolmack3506]

Much cooler than Trump's hair.

[@javonne2561]

Very interesting