Author Stephen King tweeted how it’s difficult to watch HBO’s new miniseries about the 1986 catastrophe at the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant and not think about its parallel to President Trump.
” … like those in charge of the doomed Russian reactor, he’s a man of mediocre intelligence in charge of great power–economic, global–that he does not understand,” King said.
[Opinion: 5 lessons from HBO’s ‘Chernobyl’]
It’s impossible to watch HBO’s CHERNOBYL without thinking of Donald Trump; like those in charge of the doomed Russian reactor, he’s a man of mediocre intelligence in charge of great power–economic, global–that he does not understand.
— Stephen King (@StephenKing) May 30, 2019
Craig Mazin, the miniseries’ creator, thanked King and indicated he was right in his thinking.
First, I am so pleased that you’re watching.
Second, I am so pleased that you’re smartly watching.
Not that there was ever a doubt. 😉
— Craig Mazin (@clmazin) May 30, 2019
Their faith in Trumpian MAGAism will always be rewarded. This is their moment to shine.
— Craig Mazin (@clmazin) May 30, 2019
King’s tweet has been met with criticism.
Alternatively, it is impossible to watch HBO’s CHERNOBYL without thinking of the crappiness and evil of the Soviet Union and the attendant disaster of Chernobyl https://t.co/K7DPewPvgW
— Ben Shapiro (@benshapiro) May 30, 2019
We have reached levels of self-parody that have previously seemed impossible. https://t.co/eKhQ9rRTKb
— Michael Malice (@michaelmalice) May 30, 2019
This indicates an unhealthy obsession, Stephen. https://t.co/flmQg0rbE0
— Chad Felix Greene (@chadfelixg) May 30, 2019
HBO’s miniseries on the disaster, which starts right after the reactor explodes and shows the government’s attempts to cover it up, has been praised for its authenticity. The final episode airs on June 3.
Design flaws in the reactor and inadequate safety procedures and staff training led to the catastrophic accident, which released radioactive steam and radiation in the resulting explosion. Weeks later, dozens of plant workers and first responders died of radiation poisoning. Clean-up of the site involved thousands of liquidators and the resettlement of thousands of Soviet citizens.
