Ah, political thrillers—the genre that keeps our hearts racing faster than a caffeine-fueled hamster on a wheel. From the tense corridors of power to shadowy conspiracies hatched over brandy and cigars, these films and stories have a knack for making us question just how secure democracy really is. Two of my all-time favorite political thrillers are *Seven Days in May* and *Dr. Strangelove*. One is all about a military coup attempt, and the other is a darkly comedic descent into nuclear madness. Naturally, I thought to myself, “What if I combined the tension of a coup with a touch of absurdity?” And thus, the idea for my fictional movie plot was born.
Picture this: the United States elects a fascist president. Yes, I know, it’s a bit on the nose, but stay with me. This president promises to “fix everything,” which is always code for “buckle up, things are about to get weird.” Backed by a cabal of billionaires who think democracy is overrated (and who probably invest in private islands shaped like their own faces), our new leader wastes no time in shaking things up.
Act 1: The Great Purge of Competence
The first order of business? Fire 20% of every government department because, apparently, efficiency is overrated. Who needs experts when you can install flunkies and yes-men in every major post? Gone are the days of carefully vetted cabinet members; now it’s all about loyalty oaths and questionable rรฉsumรฉs. The Secretary of Defense? A former reality TV star who once played a general in a straight-to-DVD movie. The Attorney General? A billionaire with a law degree from an online university that may or may not exist. You get the idea.
Oh, and let’s not forget the military shake-up. All the seasoned generals and admirals are unceremoniously booted out, replaced by right-wing colonels who look like they’ve been waiting their whole lives for this moment. These guys are so gung-ho that they probably salute their cereal bowls in the morning.
Act 2: Tanks, Parades, and Plotting
Now, what’s a fascist regime without a good old-fashioned military parade? The president declares that Washington, D.C., will host the first military parade in over a century. The date? Conveniently aligned with both the Fourth of July and the president’s birthday because nothing says “freedom” like mandatory celebrations of Dear Leader.
As tanks roll down Pennsylvania Avenue and jets streak overhead, something sinister is brewing behind the scenes. Unbeknownst to the general public (who are too busy Instagramming the parade), over 10,000 soldiers are quietly taking control of key government buildings. Congress? Arrested mid-debate. The Supreme Court? Hauled off before they can even finish their morning coffee. It’s a coup disguised as a celebration. Talk about multitasking.
But wait—this is where things get spicy. Not everyone in the military is on board with this plan. A group of soldiers, led by a scrappy colonel with a penchant for quoting *Hamilton*, starts to rally against the coup. They secretly join forces with civilians who are equally outraged and not about to let democracy go down without a fight.
Act 3: The People Strike Back
As the coup plotters sip champagne in their newly seized offices, thinking they’ve pulled off the ultimate power grab, the resistance begins to grow. Soldiers defect from the coup en masse, realizing that maybe overthrowing the government isn’t what they signed up for when they enlisted. Civilians take to the streets armed with nothing but smartphones and an unshakable belief in democracy (and maybe a few baseball bats for good measure).
The grand showdown takes place on the steps of the Capitol Building, where defecting soldiers and citizens band together to confront the coup leaders. There’s yelling, there’s dramatic music, and yes, there’s even a slow-motion montage of an American flag being raised as people chant “USA! USA!” It’s cheesy, but hey, this is Hollywood.
In the end, the coup is thwarted, and constitutional government is restored. The fascist president is arrested while trying to flee the country disguised as a tourist in cargo shorts and a “World’s Best Grandpa” hat. Justice prevails, and new elections are held to rebuild trust in democracy.
The Sequel: Trials and Tribulations
Of course, no political thriller would be complete without a sequel. In *The Coup: Part II – Justice Served*, we follow the trial of the coup plotters. Picture this: billionaires squirming on the witness stand as their offshore accounts are exposed. Generals trying to justify their actions with increasingly absurd excuses (“I thought it was just a really intense training exercise!”). And the former president? Let’s just say his courtroom antics make for some truly meme-worthy moments.
The trial becomes a national spectacle—a mix of *Law & Order* and *Veep*, with plenty of witty one-liners from our scrappy colonel-turned-star witness. By the end of it all, justice is served (with a side of schadenfreude), and America breathes a collective sigh of relief.
Why This Plot Works
Sure, this movie idea might seem over-the-top, but isn’t that what makes political thrillers so compelling? They take our worst fears about power and corruption and crank them up to 11. Plus, throwing in some humor keeps things from getting too bleak. After all, if *Dr. Strangelove* taught us anything, it’s that even nuclear annihilation can be funny if you lean into the absurdity.
So there you have it—a political thriller that combines tension, humor, and just enough ridiculousness to keep you on the edge of your seat (or rolling your eyes in amusement). Who knows? Maybe one day Hollywood will come knocking on my door for this script. Until then, I’ll keep dreaming up plots that remind us why democracy—flawed as it may be—is worth fighting for.
In America, we don’t do kings—or so the saying goes. But if there’s one thing we do exceptionally well, it’s standing up for our values when they’re under threat. So here’s to June 14: a day for flags, freedom, and reminding everyone that democracy doesn’t roll on tank treads—it marches on the will of the people.
Indivisible And Partners Announce ‘NO KINGS’ Nationwide Day of Defiance on Flag Day, During Trump’s Birthday Parade | Indivisible https://indivisible.org/statements/indivisible-and-partners-announce-no-kings-nationwide-day-defiance-flag-day-during
Volunteer Opportunities, Events, and Petitions Near Me · No Kings on Mobilize https://www.mobilize.us/nokings/
Volunteer Opportunities, Events, and Petitions Near Me · AFT on Mobilize https://www.mobilize.us/aft/?org_ids=42198
'We Don't Do Kings': Mass Protests Planned to Counter Trump's Birthday Military Parade | Common Dreams https://www.commondreams.org/news/no-kings-day-protest
Nationwide 'No Kings' Protest Planned for Parade on Trump's Birthday - Newsweek https://www.newsweek.com/no-kings-protest-donald-trump-birthday-parade-2068443
