After the Trump administration introduced “Alternate Facts,” 1984 entered the best-seller list. Therefore, here are some other dystopian worlds that could predict the outcome of Trump’s presidency.
‘The Day After Tomorrow’
In The Day After Tomorrow the Vice President ignores the warning of taking precautions for global warming. Consequently, a series of extreme natural disasters occur, thrusting the earth into a new Ice Age. Similarly, the Trump administration staunchly denies the real threat of climate change.
Although the science in The Day After Tomorrow is highly dubious at best, it serves a greater message. Further, it accurately dramatizes the effect of ignoring science. Trump is silencing government science agencies, not allowing them to share facts. This creates the need for the March on Science and the rogue Twitter accounts.
‘The Handmaiden’s Tale’
In Margaret Atwood’s The Handmaiden’s Tale, a Christian extremist group takes power in the United States. They disregard the Constitution and almost immediately take away all women’s rights. Some in Trump’s administration have difficulties separating Church and State, and even already attacked women’s rights.
Similarly, Trump showed throughout his candidacy his blatant disregard for women. He already acted on this conviction by signing an executive order against abortion. Thankfully, the Women’s March revealed the immense passion held for equal rights, mitigating the possibility for this future.
‘Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows’
As Voldemort rises to power throughout the Harry Potter series, his actions seem similar to Trump’s. Under Voldemort, Dolores Umbridge creates the Muggle-Born Registration Commission. Rather self-explanatory, this requires all muggle-borns to register to the Ministry. After, the ministry would interrogate them about to how they got their powers, then stripped them of their wands.
Additionally, anyone who says Voldemort’s name would be tracked. First, Trump already stated his intention to create a Muslim registry. Also the latter seems reminiscent of Trump diminishing the power of the press, infringing on First Amendment rights. Trump even seems to radar into any negative mention of his name, immediately exposing his sensitivity on Twitter.
‘The Hunger Games’
Trump has surprisingly yet to discuss creating a Hunger Games like event. However, the Capitol in The Hunger Games seems similar to Trump’s administration. The Capitol is notable for their extreme wealth and vanity, and overall disregard for the well being of the rest of Panem. Trump drained the swamp directly into his pockets, consequently making the government overrun with wealthy business executives.
Trump’s proposal of the wall exists entirely to fuel his vanity. It enforces his power, and ultimately deeply hurts America financially. Additionally, Trumps unnatural hair and coloring look like the newest fashion of the Capitol. It is likely not what Peeta meant when he said orange is his favorite color.
‘Pleasantville’
In Pleasantville, two siblings get trapped in a 1950s sitcom. They realize that the idyllically perfect world is just a facade, covering a deep sense of prejudice and oppression. Trump continuously proclaims his own prejudices.
This causes some of his followers to publicly act out on their own bigotry, creating an environment reminiscent of the mid-20th century. Pleasantville is a perfect analogy for the concept of “make America great again,” because any ‘greatness’ has whitewashed the not so pleasant truth.
‘Ready Player One’
The effects of global warming and an economic crisis thrusts the majority of Americans into destitution, in Ernest Cline’s Ready Player One. Many have to share trailers with over a dozen people, in an overfull trailer park, stacked impossibly high. The protagonist spends his days inside a virtual reality video game, OASIS, to escape.
Similar to the other worlds, it seems possible that Trump’s presidency with adversely affect the environment and economy. However, the nature of OASIS is the most interesting as it is filled with 1980’s pop culture. This is interesting considering the recent obsession with nostalgia, how numerous older properties recently re-entered the mainstream media. It seems likely that this obsession could continue, of society looking backwards in culture to find comfort in the present.
‘V for Vendetta’
Largely inspired by World War II and 1984, V for Vendetta presents a totalitarian regime aided by mass surveillance. The Norsefire party favors only white, straight, and Christians. They imprison and execute all others and those who oppose their politics. Additionally, Norsefire runs the media, producing their own news.
The historical reflection in V for Vendetta portrays almost the worst possible, yet realistic future of Trump’s presidency. Trump has proven that he shares the ideals of Norsefire, even his mistrust of the media. Thankfully, we have millions of knitted hats fighting against this future so we hopefully will not need that one Guy Fawkes mask.