Mike Flanagan has hidden a couple of Donald Trump references in his new horror series, The Fall of the House of Usher. This subtle dig may have slipped into your subconscious, so we’ll refresh your memory.
The series follows the story of Roderick Usher, the CEO of a corrupt pharmaceutical company who finds himself in a tricky ultimatum when his children begin to die in a series of mysterious attacks.
The adaptation of Edgar Allen Poe’s 1839 short story of the same name makes several references, some old, some new, some conspicuous and others subtle.
In episode six, ‘Goldbug’, the Usher family’s lawyer, Arthur Pym, exposes several photographs of Carla Gugino’s character, Verna, posing with famous businessmen. In one of the photos, she’s seen with Mark Zuckerberg and in another with Rupert Murdoch.
Another photo shows Verna standing next to former President Donald Trump many years before he took office. This moment gains significance when it’s revealed a deal with Verna is a deal with the devil.
Another reference to Trump arises two episodes later in ‘The Raven’. “Like I said to one of my clients, when I’m done, you can stand in the middle of 5th Avenue and shoot somebody, and it won’t cost you a thing,” Vera tells Pym, offering him a deal.
This is a direct quote taken from a speech Trump made during a 2016 campaign rally in Iowa. “They say I have the most loyal people,” he said. “Did you ever see that? Where I could stand in the middle of Fifth Avenue and shoot somebody. And I wouldn’t lose any voters, OK? It’s like incredible.”
Watch the trailer for The Fall of the House of Usher below.
