The Dead Zone by Stephen King was published 1979.

He was already an excellent story teller.

The story follows Johnny Smith, who awakens from a coma of nearly five years and, apparently as a result of brain damage, now experiences clairvoyant and precognitive visions triggered by touch. …

The novel also follows a serial killer in Castle Rock, and the life of rising politician Greg Stillson, both of whom are evils Johnny must eventually face. …

… the first of his novels to rank among the ten best-selling novels of the year in the United States.

Christopher Walken played Johnny Smith in Cronenberg’s film adaptation.

In the book there is a new politician who acts like a clown. Says outlandish things. An evil guy.

King was already predicting Trump in 1979.

As we did in my High School in the 1970s, they debate whether they’d be willing to go back in a Time Machine to kill Hitler in the crib.

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

Anthony Michael Hall played Johnny Smith in the TV adaptation. It had 6 seasons starting 2002.