The article delves into Fletcher Knebel's 1965 novel, Night of Camp David, which addresses the unsettling theme of a dangerously unstable sitting president, drawing parallels to today's political climate, particularly under Donald Trump.

The narrative begins with President Mark Hollenbach, a charismatic Democrat, humorously proposing at the Gridiron Club to empower the FBI to wiretap all citizens' phones, under the belief that it would expose Republican secrets.

Hollenbach's seemingly lighthearted suggestion reveals deeper issues of paranoia and delusion, which Senator Jim MacVeagh finds increasingly alarming as he attempts to reason with the president.

As the story unfolds, the president's behavior escalates, showcasing messianic ambitions and plans for U.S. expansion into Canada and Northern European countries, all while employing disturbing rhetoric tinged with white supremacy.

Knebel's novel captures the political anxieties of the 1960s, a time marked by Cold War fears and political assassinations, echoing contemporary concerns regarding the authority of the presidency.

Night of Camp David serves as both a reflection of its Cold War context and a cautionary tale about the fragility of democratic institutions and the potential perils of unchecked presidential power.

The article contrasts Hollenbach's delusions, framed by a sense of duty, with Trump's more calculated and self-serving approach to power, suggesting a notable shift in political motivations over time.

Knebel's narrative raises critical questions about the implications of a dangerously unstable president and the mechanisms available to address such crises, foreshadowing the ratification of the 25th Amendment in 1967.