Below we see that the Twilight Zone is a place where reality and fiction blur. We examine how Twilight Zone 2019 ep 5 was a show presenting satire at a level many thought cheap and unbelievable.

However recent moves by the USA President have shown that life imitates art in a hideous way.

The fiction: Twilight Zone 2019 ep 5

A facile stab at political satire, “Wunderkind,” the fifth season of the revived Twilight Zone, often plays like it was built around the memes it might produce. The plot, in short: Oliver Foley (Jacob Tremblay), an 11-year-old kid, becomes president of the United States. Wearing a familiar-looking suit, a mop of blonde hair, and a power tie, he brings with him a child’s mood swings, limited understanding of politics and nuance, and a demanding personality. And, once elected, he abuses his staff by spitting threats like like, “You guys are gonna get that done for me or I’ll get other people to get it done for me. There won’t be a shortage of people who want to work for the new president of the United States.” Screenshot that with the captions on then drop it into a Facebook post or a reply to @realDonaldTrump and pat yourself on the back. You’ve just done some political commentary. (Also Oliver likes ice cream and cheats at miniature golf. Get it?)

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Of course, the child president isn’t fully to blame here as he descends into paranoia, claiming that everyone who disobeys or contradicts him is treasonous. What this episode really wants the viewers to reckon with is the complicity of the people who attempt to make a name off the backs of celebrity candidates during dangerous campaigns and the harm that they do to others. Raff is so desperate for success that he enables a child with a YouTube account to become the most powerful person in the country, if not on Earth. It’s a timely if obvious analog to the blind eye that many are willing to turn to the most horrendous acts if they entertain and benefit them.

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Presenting a satire on the public’s cynical view of politics, the unusual role of public opinion, and the dangerous power of social media seems more like Black Mirror’s territory, somewhere in the realm of “The Waldo Moment” or “The National Anthem.” Jordan Peele tells us at the end of the episode, “Razzle and dazzle people with the right lies, and eventually they’ll go blind to the madness right in front of their faces.” Yes, we get it: Donald Trump lies a lot and acts like a spoiled child much of the time on social media. Can we get back to the story now? Maybe something a little more compelling than the failures and redemptions of an opportunistic, manipulative PR guy?

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They talk casually and Raff joins in, putting with Oliver. Raff says he’s worried. Oliver says he’s worried too. When Raff asks why Oliver is worried, Oliver hits a button and turns on dim, dramatic lighting in the room. Oliver then brings up the talk that Raff is being treasonous. Raff tries to reason, but Oliver doesn’t listen. He says it disappoints him that Raff doesn’t fully back him, unconditionally, without thinking anything else.

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Then reality imitates art.

During an impromptu press conference at the White House on Thursday, President Trump was asked by a reporter to be a bit more specific with one of the pejorative claims he’s been making in recent weeks.

“Sir,” NBC’s Peter Alexander said, “the Constitution says treason is punishable by death.”

Trump gave a slight nod of acknowledgment.

“You’ve accused your adversaries of treason,” Alexander continued. “Who specifically are you accusing of treason?”

Before we get to Trump’s response, here’s an example of Trump using the phrase on Twitter.

Washington Post

My Campaign for President was conclusively spied on. Nothing like this has ever happened in American Politics. A really bad situation. TREASON means long jail sentences, and this was TREASON!

Donald Trump

It is not the only example.

“Well,” Trump replied, “I think a number of people. And I think what you look is that they have unsuccessfully tried to take down the wrong person.”

Who specifically?

“If you look at [former FBI director James] Comey,” Trump said, “if you look at [former FBI deputy director Andrew] McCabe, if you look at people probably higher than that.”

Washington Post