Trump’s Patriot Games announcement garnered many reactions across the digital space. A small minority expresses excitement about the potential to compete, while others respond less enthusiastically. The creation of the all-American competition came just before the release of the Epstein files, which also sparked controversy among those watching at home. However, the majority of Americans can help but draw a connection between this sporting event and a popular dystopian series.
“Sometimes I think they literally forget that we were all raised on dystopian literature and dystopian post-apocalyptic video games, or they just weren’t paying attention to us,” Julia Matin, a New York City creator, says in a TikTok video. “We already have the Little League World Series,” she continues. “I don’t need anymore state-on-state combat when it comes to children, thank you.”
Her video echoes many others that compare the Patriot Games to The Hunger Games, 1984, and other works of dystopian fiction. Some are even calling this “The Reaping,” the final book in Suzanne Collins’s famed dystopian series. In a world where America is quickly following suit with the terrifying novels we were read in high school, many viewers have their opinions.
“The Giver started my villain arc,” one user comments. Another says, “I am not surviving The Maze Runner.” To this, one user replies, “Truly because every day it’s like they’re reading my high school reading list as a manual on how to fascism.”
Some found dark humor in the face of a very real and horrifying reality. “Which book do we think he’s gonna rip off next? I fear The Uglies is gonna be it, but only in the microchip and lobotomies kinda way.” Others commented on the dark history that we seem to be repeating. “But also… There was another well-known political group in history that targeted youth through a sports competition as well…. anyone want to guess what group and what time frame?” One alludes.
