Justin Klinger
asked:
am I the only one having trouble with the CONSTANT references to Donald Trump in everything King does these days ? I'm enjoying the plot of the book, but i'm 10 percent in, and there have been like 20 mentions of Trump in a book that has nothing to do with politics.
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Laurie
I have no problem with it at all. The embarrassment he was for those 4 years can’t be emphasized enough.
Good for SK
Good for SK
Natasha Park
Well his story did take place during part of the idiots time. I enjoy his little jabs at Trump. ROCK ON STEPHEN 🤘
Alan
I find no surprise in King mentioning the Trump years. After all, they were the most scary and bizarre years in recent times. A real life horror story.
Ivo
Every single Stephen King novel will reference the sitting US president at the time the novel takes place, from his earliest to his most recent work, without fail. It's been his style for five decades!
Billy Summers is no exception. I think this is one of the ways he grounds his works, in their time periods.
Billy Summers is no exception. I think this is one of the ways he grounds his works, in their time periods.
Susan
King is clearly obsessed with Trump, like many old men I know. If there is any way to interject his favorite bugaboo into conversation, consider it done. Since Biden was elected nearly 8 months ago, I was hoping he'd chill out and we'd catch a break this time around, but nope. Still having to read about Trump, Melania and Hillary Clinton (must keep harping on the 2016 Presidential Election). Since Billy Summers featured *so much* Trump, I'm assuming that King is going to continue to bitch about Trump until his dying day. It's irritating as hell.
Trish
Didn't notice it. Usually people who complain about "political references" to the idiot president are his Boomer supporters. Additionally, 20 mentions in a 500+ page book is hardly "constant". Stop being so sensitive, snowflake.
Christian DeBaun
I have no problem with the Trump references. In fact I'd encourage Mr. King to write a novel solely about the 45th president. It would take place on the bottom of the Mariana Trench in 36,000 feet of water - where there are no golf courses or hamberders. 😁
Harry Wingfield
He also makes reference to the COVID lockdowns. The book is set just prior to the pandemic. He does put in "current events" throughout many of his books to set them into historical context. In the year the book is set, Trump was big news, and any characters in the book would likely have opinions about him.
Becca
I think that's a pretty big exaggeration about mentions of Trump (20 mentions in the first 10%...which would be 51 pages). I'm 209 pages in now (40%) and there have probably been 10-15 mentions...though not always by name; sometimes the mentions are about actions or mental capabilities. King has built his protagonist and that means he gets to have him believe whatever he wants. Apparently, Billy doesn't like Trump and his views just happen to coincide with those of his creator. Oh, and I'm not having any trouble with it. It isn't affecting the story in any negative way, so it's not bothersome to me.
Jennifer
I love the idea that you, or me, or anyone, can tell an author what they should be mentioning in their writing.
14 mentions in the whole book apparently, your counting leaves something to be desired.
Stephen King has never not grounded his books in the current affairs of the times they are set.
Oh and everything is politics, you know that and so do the rest of his readers. Just because it's not the politics you want to read about doesn't change that fact.
14 mentions in the whole book apparently, your counting leaves something to be desired.
Stephen King has never not grounded his books in the current affairs of the times they are set.
Oh and everything is politics, you know that and so do the rest of his readers. Just because it's not the politics you want to read about doesn't change that fact.
rebeca
as he should since donald trump was the scum of the earth and a real life horror story
Amy Meyer
I was about to make the same comment. I am 30 pages into the book and he has been mentioned 4 times in a book that has nothing to do with Trump or Politics. It is amazing how much time people who claim to hate Trump think about the man.
Richard West
No, you aren't alone. King delights in showing his hatred of Donald Trump, thus disguising his new role as a political commentator as a novelist. I had to laugh at one of his digs at Trump about electing a con-man when Trump was replaced by the biggest con-man in American history who will probably go down as the worst President ever - definitely the only one to ever surrender to the enemy. I wish he would knock it off and go back to being the premier novelist he once was. If he wants to do political commentating, he should do an entire book and just get it out of his system instead of spoiling every book. This would have been a great book without the Trump comments. As it is, it's just a very good and enjoyable one.
Christian
Trump lives rent free in Stephen Kings head and it's hilarious
Paige Turner
If you're a true King fan, you know that he hates Donald Trump. So do I and have no problem with him mentioning Trump in negative ways because Trump well deserves every negative thing said about the POS.
Quinn Avery
I glanced at my "currently reading page" and thought this was my comment, because I had the EXACT same thought. One of the reasons I read fiction is escape the madness of politics. He's so obsessed with Trump...
Richard
First of all it wasn’t “constant”- in a 400+ page book there were less than 20 brief mentions, which if they’d been positive you would have loved. Second of all for those of you who love the dear leader and like to decry “snowflakes” ( people who get mad about things you agree with) you sure do get your shorts in a twist over some not even very negative comments about him. Why don’t you engage in the “cancel culture” you purport to loathe and never buy another King book. I’m sure he’ll miss the revenue.
R.A. Lopez
Right on. He's never put the president or left wing shit like pro covid (establishment) stuff in the past. He is clearly suffering from Trump Derangement Syndrom which is hilarious considering how badly Biden is doing in less than a year crating our economy, giving us how many doses of vaccine, the southern border crisis, now afghanistan. So much buyer's remorse for biden voters and we all wish we could go back to 2017-2018 when Trump was leading us and making America Great Again.
DJ
King is just setting the stage for the times that Billy lived in, like any great author would do. If I remember correctly, trump was never hugely disparaged in the novel. He was just referred to, and you people complaining are just assuming ANY reference to trump is particularly bad, correctly assuming the worse.
Tony
No you are not alone. These, past their prime, 'artists' just can't get past it. However, you don't hear them talking about the senile old man they elected who has turned his back on the people that actually do something for this country rather than bitch about it.
Claudina Sunflower
I agree with you, and for every book I read that trashes Trump I automatically deduct a star from my rating.
Stephanie
If you've followed King, you know he's not a Trump fan. The references were very brief and secondary to the plot. He always references politicians in his books, whoever is relevant to the times to date the novel. They could have been so much worse.
Christina
Constant? Come on. It's background noise and I would think it would be hard to write a story set during the T administration that did not mention T or his followers--goodness I still see evidence on the corner of the two main drags in my tiny town.
Keith Ravenscroft
Nope, you are absolutely correct. He's obsessed with the guy so much it's clearly infecting his writing.
Joe Brennan
King is a left wing asshole. Always has been, always will be. Put his money where his mouth is. Never.
Eric
I agree. Biden has been a complete disaster. Leaving Americans behind in Afghanistan, the invasion at the southern border, rising inflation, corrupt deals with China. It goes on and on. Not to mention his obvious molestation of women in the past.
I await the references to these things in King's next novel.
I await the references to these things in King's next novel.
Andrew Shirshac
I didn't have that impression at all. Did you actually count 20? CONSTANT seems like hyperbole to me.
Trump intruded into my life daily when my day had nothing to do with politics.
Trump intruded into my life daily when my day had nothing to do with politics.
Jeff Lambert
"People are Politics", the two are the same, whether overt or oblique. King is overt, always has been if you read back through the years and pay close attention; but politics hasn't always been as divisive, as there has never been as divisive a president as Trump. Therefore, the polemic hasn't been as ubiquitous in King's writing, hithertofore. King, and many others, consider the egregious mishandling of the office of the President by Trump, to warrant extenuating lambasting of the President's disasterous only term in office, as rich background to flesh out characters having to navigate in such a feculent political landscape. At least, that's my take on SK's take.
Charismatic
This will date these books horribly, and make King look like an ideologue -- which he is.
@ Laurie (below): just because YOU did not like Trump... 75 million people voted for him, almost 50% of the public. And during a PANDEMIC.
Would you feel the same way, if someone as famous as King wrote books where they constantly bashed Obama and Biden, or would you think "geez, stop politicizing EVERYTHING".
@ Laurie (below): just because YOU did not like Trump... 75 million people voted for him, almost 50% of the public. And during a PANDEMIC.
Would you feel the same way, if someone as famous as King wrote books where they constantly bashed Obama and Biden, or would you think "geez, stop politicizing EVERYTHING".
Kellie
I am no fan of Trump and I agree....I have been a LONG time Stephen King reader...I have read Every.single.book....but this is getting boring and monotonous. I am reading to be entertained and transported to another world, not to constantly be hit in the head with the authors personal politics. Enough already. This is not the first book with the constant Trump jabs, but I sure hope it's the last...move on, we get it, you aren't a Trump fan.
But to make matters worse, as a born and bred Michigander, I take offense with Mr. King making Michiganders sounds like complete idiots who start every word they speak with a "d". I don't speak that way and I don't know anyone who does....54 years in Michigan and I can honestly say, you might want to change that up. We don't talk like that here, or in the U.P. (also yuppers are those from the upper peninsula of Michigan and Traverse City is in the LOWER peninsula). I just felt Mr. King might want to put a little bit of effort in if he is going to talk about us like that. Just saying...
But to make matters worse, as a born and bred Michigander, I take offense with Mr. King making Michiganders sounds like complete idiots who start every word they speak with a "d". I don't speak that way and I don't know anyone who does....54 years in Michigan and I can honestly say, you might want to change that up. We don't talk like that here, or in the U.P. (also yuppers are those from the upper peninsula of Michigan and Traverse City is in the LOWER peninsula). I just felt Mr. King might want to put a little bit of effort in if he is going to talk about us like that. Just saying...
Eric Abels
no you are certainly not the only one with this issue. why does politics have to be in literally everything? King books , movies, and even the nfl. so tired of the political stuff. been reading King for decades and will continue to do so. just wish he would chill out on this junk.
Vanillahugz
I'm sure all you Trump haters would have to agree that things are so much better with Biden running the show? Yup ,you all got a real step up with a dementia riddled President LMAO !!
Richard Tolleson
I love how the Trumpeteers get so triggered when their lord and golf master Bone Spur Donny is dissed.
Melissa Tula
I have been reading Stephen King's novels for 35 years and I am sorry to say, I think I might be done. The last (3) books written by King have made mention of Donald Trump in a negative way. I could be wrong, but I don't recall him previously bringing his political views into his writing? I have always enjoyed King's unmatched talent, and am disappointed and sad that I am now so turned off by his work.
Patricia
Trump's policies and pronouncements had an impact on us all, and King has every right to put this novel in that context. I have no problem with it.
David Woodley
Didn't even notice it - read the book. Who cares about the orange combover
Maximum
You're not alone. I'm in the middle of reading this book and I've gotten to the point where I'm asking how his endless obsession of Trump enhances or makes sense to the storyline of this book?
I can see there are a lot of liberals in this thread who think it's hilarious that he's calling people who live in certain parts of the country stupid, racist and losers, based on their geographical location or job (blue collar). It comes across as ignorant and obsessive and is probably the reason this will be the last book of his I'll read.
I understand he's always woven the current political culture into his storylines, and it's worked well, even though he isn't balanced, making it clear he's a leftist. But resorting to insulting people because he assumes that their socioeconomic status & employment field all believe the same thing is pedantic.
I can see there are a lot of liberals in this thread who think it's hilarious that he's calling people who live in certain parts of the country stupid, racist and losers, based on their geographical location or job (blue collar). It comes across as ignorant and obsessive and is probably the reason this will be the last book of his I'll read.
I understand he's always woven the current political culture into his storylines, and it's worked well, even though he isn't balanced, making it clear he's a leftist. But resorting to insulting people because he assumes that their socioeconomic status & employment field all believe the same thing is pedantic.
Karen
I agree 100%. Found it almost childish of King to do this. He should know better than to put his politics into his books.
David Smith
I enjoyed this novel immensely and did not mind the OCCASIONAL references to the guy who was president at the time. He was so much a part of the pop culture landscape that he was inescapable.
Nicole
I got so tired of that, too. King specifically says that Billy had no interest in politics, so the constant Trump-bashing was unwarrented.
Susan Wallis
It doesn't bother me at all. Most of his books have mentioned the current president at some point. I think maybe people are just a bit more sensitive when it's Trump?
Goatllama
Not alone. I'd rather not think about Drumpf at all when I'm escaping in a book, please.
Debra Ann
First off, his remarks are never overly political but are a picture into the mindset of his characters, second he is a master at using current culture as details in his books and whether you find that good, bad, or indifferent is a huge part of King as an author.
Marta
I'm not American and it annoyed me, as I thought so many references were not necessary.
Michael Chapman
20 mentions of Trump in the first 40 or so pages? Really? #fakenews
Nancy
I have no problem with it. I just wish I never had to hear his lieing voice ever again. He was the WORST!
Deb
I, too, found the references to the past president annoying. Why do politics have to seep into every part of our lives? It seems that people who don't like Trump just can't let him go.
Politics aside, I enjoyed the book although I felt it was a little too long.
Politics aside, I enjoyed the book although I felt it was a little too long.
Mark McDevitt
A boring story full of woke bullshit, leave politics out of it.
Repo Jack
While he mentions Trump a few times through out the whole book, it's an offhand comment, and he certainly doesn't mention him 20 times in the first 10%. Maybe once or twice if that many.
And when he does, it's not this long diatribe like his Twitter posts. It barely registered with me and seeing the word Trump typically gives me hives.
And when he does, it's not this long diatribe like his Twitter posts. It barely registered with me and seeing the word Trump typically gives me hives.
Martin Stephens
My eyes rolled every time he mentioned Trump. They ended up looking like reels on a busy slot machine.
Yvette
Agreed!
I'm sticking to King's older fiction. Pretty tired of him interjecting his political views in the writing.
I'm sticking to King's older fiction. Pretty tired of him interjecting his political views in the writing.
Liza
Uncle Donny will be excoriated for years to come, so you better get used to it or stop reading, watching tv, or going to the movies.......
Chris
Stephen King is known to hate Donald Trump...Trump even blocked King from his Twitter account...this is why any chance he gets he writes negatively about DJT...it's pretty funny if you ask me
Jeff Cahill
Not sure why authors do this. They allow their political views get in the way of their work. Mr. King has often been able to keep it out in the past, and that’s why Ive enjoyed his work immensely. But this will unfortunately be my last King novel ever. As a Trump supporter, I’m depicted as a racist, uneducated plebe with no moral compass, which is nothing like myself or many I know. Half of the country is like me, so why Mr. King thinks he can get away with such poor treatment of those he doesn’t understand is beyond me. Standard liberal treatment - compassionate to everyone except a conservative.
I would have tolerated it if it helped move the story forward or added to the plot, but all it did was stop me from being a fan of my favorite author.
I would have tolerated it if it helped move the story forward or added to the plot, but all it did was stop me from being a fan of my favorite author.
Janet
I have no problem with it.
Mary Thibodeaux
Same here! Like what we have now in the White House now is any better!
John Jacobs
Like many people Stephen King has a bad case of TDS. But he remains the most talented fiction writer today.
Susan
I hate all the progressive writers that can't shut up about their hate for Trump and people they disagree with. Another author I don’t read anymore. It’s not like we don't get enough of that crap without it being gratuitously added by authors that feel that if you read books you must be a leftist. I read the many nasty comments and bet you are the people that have the stupid “Hate has no home here” signs. Virtue signaling because since when do you have to pronounce you aren't a hater. Well someone made their fortune on that silly sign. I have it was a Republican. If you want to see hate go on Twitter and read progressives comments. Vile enough I quit Twitter. I didn't like some of Trump's behavior but the country was in a lot better shape. And where is the outrage over Hunter Bidens many shady dealings with the Russians? Nothing to see here.
Jac
I could not agree more, I have read many of his books and enjoy them, but this is the first I've read in awhile. I don't feel his references are necessary, especially the line about the rapist would "regain his MAGA swagger" honestly????? I only wish I would have got this book from the library instead of buying it, probably last one.
Mike Wagner
I agree. One of the reasons I read books is to get away from the nonsense of politics. I don't care about Trump or Biden or who you or Stephen King prefers. I also don't watch the news so I don't have to hear about it. I don't want any of them as my president. I vote for none of the above, because none of them are worthy and never will be.
Tyler (Hook) Hoffman
Its incredible how TDS has infected our society. On one side you have the idiots who think he can do no wrong and on the other you have the equally as stupid, possibly more, who can't have a conversation without bringing up how awful Trump is. It is state propaganda at its worst. Funny how you have all of these weirdos answering this question as if mentioning a now non-sitting president probably 30-40 times randomly where the text was in no way leading to politics is normal. TDS is still going strong unfortunately.
Sandra
If three times is "constant," you really need a reality check...like Trump
Joyce Scarbrough
I thought SK showed remarkable restraint in not blatantly calling out Drumpf's stupidity and insanity.
Terri
Yes, you are the only one. Feel better?
Marsha
I agree that he did make more comments than necessary about President Trump but he does that in most of his books it seems. I do love his books and he is a master story teller but I only get them from the library. I don't buy his books any more because he puts too many political comments in.
Eric Bruce
He's not the only one . I've given up Michael Connelly because of this current nonsense .
Susan
No. DT was a huge part of everyone's life for several years.
Michael
What's sad is how some anti-Trump commenters here actually prefer reading King's jabs at Trump than the actual story itself. These people are so self-righteous and hateful that they prefer that over the actual story.
Very sad, indeed. Anti-Trumpians are some of the most hypocritical, narcissistic people I've ever seen.
We can only HOPE there is no dumb president talk in Fairy Tale... I can't stand Biden because he has done NOTHING for this country, and I STILL don't want to see anything about him in any fictional tale. Why? Because most readers prefer authors leave out their unwanted opinions on politics in a fictional novel, where it has no place anyway.
Very sad, indeed. Anti-Trumpians are some of the most hypocritical, narcissistic people I've ever seen.
We can only HOPE there is no dumb president talk in Fairy Tale... I can't stand Biden because he has done NOTHING for this country, and I STILL don't want to see anything about him in any fictional tale. Why? Because most readers prefer authors leave out their unwanted opinions on politics in a fictional novel, where it has no place anyway.
Jeremy Wonch
I find it tiresome. I'm not a Trump fan but his jabs seem petty. I would think a great writer like King could come up with a clever way to take shots.
William Raustler
He is placing things in the book that are in our present time and let’s face it, you can’t turn on the news these days without someone mentioning Trump’s name. I think every writer has the right to put a little of their own perspective of the times in their story. And if you’re a Trump supporter, I’m sure you might not have a problem with the mention of the man if it was in support of what you believe. King also made a comment in this book about getting hit by a car which I’m sure links to his own personal experience of being clipped by a drunk driver while taking a walk one day. It’s the writer’s world you’re dipping into, so don’t be surprised when you get a taste of what’s on their mind.
Steve
Indeed, there are approximately 3-5 sentences in this 500 + page novel that mention the US President in 2019 when the story takes place!
In hindsight King probably should have including a Trigger Warning for snowflakes who melt when Politicians are criticized.
PS -I remember the good old days when we made fun of politicians.... never thought I see it come to pass when so called 'Conservatives" started worshipping them like Gods :(
In hindsight King probably should have including a Trigger Warning for snowflakes who melt when Politicians are criticized.
PS -I remember the good old days when we made fun of politicians.... never thought I see it come to pass when so called 'Conservatives" started worshipping them like Gods :(
Tom
I disagree that there are constant references. There are some but they don't detract from the book at all, in my opinion.
Damie Brooks
Thank you Justin. I am reading another one of his books and having the same problem.
Bill Adams
I was thinking the Trumps should be cleaned up like the Romanovs were.
Judy
The Trump references were fairly mild in my opinion and they don't go on for the length of the novel. Several in the beginning but then they pretty much stopped.
David Hambling
If you think the book has nothing to do with politics or is not commenting on the state of America....you maybe have not read much Stephen King. Look closely and you'll see some Iraq references too which are not wholly positive.
Beth
It was hardly constant.
Jessi
It's important thematically later. If you make it through the story, you'll understand why he's laying out the Trump stuff early on.
Jason Lockwood
I also don't mind the mentions as they really are just that. Now, if King were to begin writing didactic novels, as many so-called literary writers do, then I would simply stop reading them. I have never gotten the sense King was trying to push an agenda, but rather grounding his stories in the era in which they take place.
Jim McFiver
Mr. King's Trump prejudice in Billy Summers is annoying - but so far, he's handled it appropriately, IMHO, adding his typical brand of flavor to the mix without spoiling the story.
Back when the howls of news jackal's were at their anti-Trump fever pitch, I remember being embarrassed for King. His obsession with The Donald got so personal, literally 'down & dirty', I simply UN-followed him on Twitter. A writer incapable of suspending value judgements makes me suspicious. With Billy, he seems to have moderated his tone (a bit).
Back when the howls of news jackal's were at their anti-Trump fever pitch, I remember being embarrassed for King. His obsession with The Donald got so personal, literally 'down & dirty', I simply UN-followed him on Twitter. A writer incapable of suspending value judgements makes me suspicious. With Billy, he seems to have moderated his tone (a bit).
Donna
I find it annoying and unnecessary. I read to escape the mainstream news, not be constantly reminded of it.
Nate Ru$$ell
Stephen King knows horror when he sees it - hence why he mentions Trump so much. Plus, as annoying as it may seem to you, all of this "beating the dead horse" about Trump that King is doing is totally justified in a couple ways:
1. These are all very recent events.
2. It's terrifying that a man like him sat at the helm of one of the most powerful nations in human history.
3. Even if Trump doesn't win again in 2024, his presidency has at least set the precedent for other of his ilk to get into power - this is real scary.
So, yeah I get why King is a little obsessed with him, and wants to remind the reader every chance he can that something scarier than Pennywise had it's spray-tanned hands near the nuclear buttons.
1. These are all very recent events.
2. It's terrifying that a man like him sat at the helm of one of the most powerful nations in human history.
3. Even if Trump doesn't win again in 2024, his presidency has at least set the precedent for other of his ilk to get into power - this is real scary.
So, yeah I get why King is a little obsessed with him, and wants to remind the reader every chance he can that something scarier than Pennywise had it's spray-tanned hands near the nuclear buttons.
Patricia DiMugno
I’m with you… I can’t read him anymore. And I don’t
Sydney
Think you are overreacting. I didn't find too many references. Certainly not what I would consider "constant."
Dylan
The Billy Summers character had a specific point of view that happens align with Steven King politically. While the classification of people as good or bad based on whether they voted for Hillary or not may change your opinion of the character-- Some of King's more recent work e.g. The Institute, has shown more nuanced views of people that don't share his political views without villainizing them.
Keith Peters
13 mentions in the entire book. Not 20 in the first 10%. That's one mention every 40 pages or so.
Hannah Mae
Reading Billy Summers now in 2025. The first few mentions were funny and unsurprising, but as it continued, i found myself cringing and rolling my eyes. King clearly has an unhealthy obsession with Trump; that much was apparent in the first few chapters. Definitely annoying, and in my opinion, it takes away from the reading experience.
Lisa
Hey guys, thanks for verifying this drug. Addled, man-child.
And his inability to let go of his willfully ignorant insane rants. I almost wasted time and money. I wish I would have come here before I started reading "Holly." He did an excellent job of ruining that one. Guess, I need it scratch him off my list. Just reread his old stuff before he lost his mind.
And his inability to let go of his willfully ignorant insane rants. I almost wasted time and money. I wish I would have come here before I started reading "Holly." He did an excellent job of ruining that one. Guess, I need it scratch him off my list. Just reread his old stuff before he lost his mind.
Nicole Desrosier
GET POLITICAL STUFF OUT OF BOOKS. WHO CARES.
Anyway, go Trump!
Anyway, go Trump!
Christine
Didn't bother me.
Joanne Margaret
No, he's a lunatic. I don't read anything he scribbles anymore. He's lost his fricking mind, like all of the other Democrats!
Jay Nichols
The only advice I can give you is to never pick up a new Stephen King book ever again. He's got a terminal case of TDS. Not to mention that he's painfully out of touch, and not just politically. His prose is cringe-worthy now. In one of his recent novels (I think it was The Institute), he has 30-somethings with names like Herb and Eileen. And it's set in the mid 2010s.
edward todd
First off I don’t like Trump don’t think he should be president after that Jan 6 BS but I also don’t like Biden he has some mental disorder or just an idiot. So saying that why has King start bringing politics in his books so hard. I read King to escape the BS not to have him keep bringing the idiot up ( the first idiot). He used not to be so up front about his politics but it is getting out of hand. He needs to chill out if I want politics I will watch CNN or FOX news. They both are biased I can hear whatever I want to hear about politics.. That is all
Barbara L
Some people still have Trump embedded in their brains. Sad, as DT would say. To think King thinks he is making a difference with the references is sad too. Just move on author, et al.
Jim
I wouldn't say they were "constant" references. I think he's just placing the story in a specific time period- one in which the POTUS was very much on the minds of a lot of people. Love him or hate him, Donald Trump was at the forefront of all aspects American culture during his four years in office.
Now it did strike me a few times that SK was letting his own views show through (and I agree 100% with him about Trump). Seems to me that some of these rather anti-social characters would have actually been fans of #45. So in that sense maybe it was a bit unrealistic. I mean roughly half the country did vote for the guy, so I have to think that a mercenary or mobster would have found a lot to like in him.
Now it did strike me a few times that SK was letting his own views show through (and I agree 100% with him about Trump). Seems to me that some of these rather anti-social characters would have actually been fans of #45. So in that sense maybe it was a bit unrealistic. I mean roughly half the country did vote for the guy, so I have to think that a mercenary or mobster would have found a lot to like in him.
Julliana Souza
I feel you. Honestly, it feels like a massive gap in the story. King stops, puts down his own opinions than moves on with the story. It feels fake and forced at this point, it doesn't feel like it's the character's thoughts at all.
Susan
I'm with you. I'm sick and tired of these liberal authors and their bully pulpits. It's a shut up and quit lecturing. Stephen King has gone over the edge with his Trump Derangement Syndrome. I won't buy his books anymore, and I've purchased plenty of them in the past.
Peter
Trump was such a corrupt egotistical idiot that I'm not at all surprised. Hopefully past tense.
chris christiano
there are 2 sides to the trump thing. this story took place and was written during that time, so its hard to ignore. and while i'm not on the same side as King, i got over the references i didnt agree with in favor of the story. its hard to argue that trump was not exactly presidential in his mannerisms whether you agree or disagree that he did some good things putting america first. i almost didnt read this because of the noise around the trump references and i'm glad i put that aside and read it.. would be nice if his next book points out some of the obvious failures of the biden admistration! but no one reports fairly on both sides these days...
CJ Hines
I have no problem with it--it's his book and he can write whatever he wants to. It's no secret that Stephen King is not a fan of Trump. Besides King makes a helluva lot more money than me--who am I to complain?
Ann
I completely agree. The several jabs regarding Trump detract from the story for me. Totally unnecessary and annoying!
Ayny
author Michael Connelly same thing, good for them. the Trumpers read? and are offended? good. USA was offended by that waste of hair, Trump.
Evan Sanders
Hmm - where are you finding the CONSTANT (copying your ALL CAPS) references? Through the magic of Kindle, I count 11 references total in the book, 6 of them in first 100 pages. By comparison, there are also a similar number of references to Houdini. Stephen King is well known for including popular culture references in his books. I didn't find this bothersome nor surprising.
Craig Stoll
It helps ground the story to its time. It works.
Dr Cornelis H Greenway
I think that King has always talked about current issues. Trump is the (was, probably still is) biggest risk to the concept of liberty. 1984 is a better description of the risk of Trump, but yes Steven keep nagging.
MaryAlice
The last novel I read, a character was working for a group to re-elect Hillary Clinton, thus the author references her many times. She also mentions a character who works for the Green Party.
In context of the story, King's mention of that guy makes sense; one of the characters is much like him. King also mentions President Bush and uses Hillary's own words "Bush's war."
King mentions writers using their real life as characters for their novels. Thus it is not surprising that King's character(s) would reflect his own beliefs
Tho' I loathe seeing that con man's name, it did not bother all that much. It was realistic.
In context of the story, King's mention of that guy makes sense; one of the characters is much like him. King also mentions President Bush and uses Hillary's own words "Bush's war."
King mentions writers using their real life as characters for their novels. Thus it is not surprising that King's character(s) would reflect his own beliefs
Tho' I loathe seeing that con man's name, it did not bother all that much. It was realistic.
Lori J
I have no problem with it because he was the President while this was supposedly taking place and Stephen King has not been shy about his feelings about the man in fiction and in reality.
wordwan
Yeah. I first noticed King's behaviour about Trump on twitter. It kinda surprised me as I had a strange idea that Stephen King was an intelligent and worldly guy. Guess I got fooled.
Writers are NOT their writing, it seems. And that's something I will remember from here on out, when I read books by anyone.
And it, pretty much, changed my view of Stephen King. I was NEVER political before Donald Trump. It opened my eyes to a lot of people's behaviour, to be perfectly honest.
Course, then, you start to notice there are a LOT of writers who act immature.
Writers aren't gods. And that's a damn fact.
roo
Writers are NOT their writing, it seems. And that's something I will remember from here on out, when I read books by anyone.
And it, pretty much, changed my view of Stephen King. I was NEVER political before Donald Trump. It opened my eyes to a lot of people's behaviour, to be perfectly honest.
Course, then, you start to notice there are a LOT of writers who act immature.
Writers aren't gods. And that's a damn fact.
roo
Lee Wainwright
I found it weakened the plausibility of the main character a bit. I mean, is an ex-marine hitman really going to be THAT anti right-wing?
Deandra
I honestly think that such references are what makes Stephen King, KING. It is easy to relate to real events with such references, regardless of whether one agrees with that or not. The whole point of mentioning Trump is not for a political debate, but to paint a picture of how the characters think. At least that's how I see it.
Tayce
I have do not have any issues with Stephen King's references to Trump in his books. Stephen King routinely includes references to whatever president and/or administration happens to be in office during the setting of his stories.
Jack
I’ve noticed the same thing! At this point it’s like trying to spit Hitchcock so I can focus on the rest of the movie. Just get the rant over with already!!
Laura L.
The word trump appears 14 times in this book. One of those times it’s used as a verb, not referring to the man, and twice it is referencing Melania. Hardly constant and definitely not 20 times in the first 10%.
Wil Bosbyshell
In the Dead Zone, King predicts Trump. Except the evil politician , Martin Sheen, in the movie is defeated when proven to be a conman and huckster. We have had no such luck with the real conman.
Craig
I found it annoying. I have no love for Trump, but it was random and got in the way of the narrative.
Jaksen
You might notice this more if you are either very supportive of the person - or very opposed. I have seen references to presidents in other books and they just slide on by, as in, yep, he's the guy in the White House. Events that happen during the book - if the book is set in a specific time - often mention what's going on in the world. Mr. King often does this. Plus, it's his book and if he wants to mention a celebrity or political figure on every page, that's his call. Don't like it? Don't keep reading.
Maria Kathleen
Absolutely no problem with it at all and best of all, King doesn’t either. Just finished Billy Summers and I still find Stephen King’s writing style to be my favorite of all contemporary writers.
MR R
It doesn't bother me too much. What bothers me more is that SK can't seem to write a novel without it being about a writer. Or writing.
Otherwise a great book though.
Otherwise a great book though.
Girlspell
Alll his books are like that. Sometimes it's downright silly (one novel centering on chldren he compared to children in consentration camps) but he's an amazing writer. And I continue to read him. (Many people have complained about that by the way.
Melissa
The covid stuff was much more annoying to me. The trump stuff at least kinda fit, people do make judgements about each others politics based on geography and race now. But the covid mentions pulled me right out of the book, esp cuz he was switching voice to say what would happen in a future the characters didnt enter by the end of the book
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Sep 23, 2021 07:54PM · flag
Nov 13, 2021 07:55AM · flag