I’ve always wanted to read George Orwell’s 1984, especially because it’s been referenced so many times in pop culture and politics. Honestly, I’m a little embarrassed I didn’t pick it up until now. But I’m glad I finally did — it’s one of those books that feels like it has only gotten more relevant with time.
Quick Synopsis
The novel follows Winston Smith, a low-level worker in the Ministry of Truth. His job is to rewrite history — literally changing newspapers and official records so the ruling Party is always correct. But Winston quietly hates the system he lives in, and when he begins a secret love affair with Julia, he experiences hope for something better. At its core, 1984 is both a political warning and, unexpectedly, a kind of love story — though one that ultimately ends in tragedy as the Party crushes Winston and forces him to betray the very person he thought he could trust.
Parallels to Trump’s America
As I read, I couldn’t help but notice disturbing similarities between Orwell’s dystopia and what I see happening in Trump’s administration. The novel might be about a fictional totalitarian future, but some of its tactics feel eerily familiar today.
- Altering History: Orwell writes, “Who controls the past controls the future. Who controls the present controls the past.” The Party constantly rewrites history until no one can be sure what really happened. Trump mirrored this by pushing “patriotic education” and trying to downplay or erase the history of slavery in museums and schools.
- Controlling Facts: Winston’s daily job was to rewrite news so the Party’s predictions always came true. Orwell explains: “Day by day and almost minute by minute the past was brought up to date.” Trump often flipped this — instead of rewriting the past, he discredited the present. When official job numbers or reports didn’t suit him, he dismissed them as “fake” or attacked the people releasing them. Another Orwell line rings especially true here:
“The Party told you to reject the evidence of your eyes and ears. It was their final, most essential command.”
Trump has done exactly this, repeatedly calling polls “FAKE POLLS FROM FAKE NEWS ORGANIZATIONS,” insisting they should be “investigated for ELECTION FRAUD,” and even declaring they “ARE TRULY THE ENEMY OF THE PEOPLE!” - Shifting Enemies: Orwell describes how “Oceania was at war with Eastasia. Oceania had always been at war with Eastasia.” The Party demanded instant amnesia whenever alliances shifted. Similarly, Trump praised officials when they worked for him, calling them the best and most loyal, but the moment they criticized him, they were suddenly “weak,” “stupid,” or “disloyal.”
- Federal Troops and Thought Police: On September 27, 2025, Trump wrote that he was directing the Defense Department to “provide all necessary Troops to protect War ravaged Portland … Authorizing Full Force, if necessary.” This mirrors the black-uniformed squads and Thought Police of Orwell’s novel, who enforce loyalty through fear and intimidation.
- Perpetual War and Enemies Within: In 1984, war is constant — not to win, but to control the population through fear and sacrifice. The enemy is always shifting but always present. Trump does something similar by always finding a “new enemy” to rally against: immigrants, trans people, the media, political opponents. By constantly framing these groups as dangerous or un-American, he keeps his base in a state of permanent mobilization — much like the Party keeps Oceania’s citizens obedient through endless conflict.
- Emergency Powers: Orwell’s Party used crises as pretexts to tighten control. In August 2025, Trump issued an executive order “Declaring a Crime Emergency” in Washington, D.C. — a move that effectively allowed the federal government to override local authority in the name of public safety. This tactic echoes how 1984’s regime manufactures emergencies to centralize power and suspend liberties indefinitely.
Final Thoughts
1984 isn’t just a story about the dangers of totalitarianism — it’s a mirror we can still hold up today. The fact that I can read Orwell’s words from 1949 and see reflections in modern America is both shocking and chilling. It makes me realize why this book is constantly referenced: it’s a warning we ignore at our own risk.
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