I was curious about the possible connection between the novel and Trumps all too factual political emergence.
Over the years, several pundits had claimed thatPlotwas really Rothsroman-a-clefcommentary on the George W. Bush administration.
Roth went on to say as much, repeatedly, in interviews and public appearances.
Former President Donald Trump speaks at a campaign rally on October 28, 2024 in Atlanta, Georgia.Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images
But what did he make of Trump?
Roth again demurred at any parallels, but in a different way.
Trump, he said, is just a con artist.
They are not necessarily true believers, although some can sound that way.
Bengelsdorf even takes an official position in a government program designed to break up and relocate Jewish communities.
The specific political situation of the 1930s and 1940s is obviously different from todays, although there are analogies.
Both Graham and Cruz have become staunch Trumpists.
More recently, Senator Mitch McConnell has best emblemized GOP cravenness in the face of Trumps threats and humiliations.
Romney is not alone.
James Baker, George H.W.
What, though, of the other establishment Republicans now reviled by the MAGA forces as RINOs?
What of George W. Bush?
What of his brother Jeb, ridiculed by Trump in 2016 as Low Energy Jeb?
Neither has publicly supported Trump, yet neither will publicly support Harris.
(Bezoshas denied any suggestionof horse trading with Trump.)
Vances sugar daddy, Peter Thiel.
In the novel, the nation is miraculously delivered from the fascists.
