Here’s How the Election Influenced ‘American Horror Story: Cult’

Ryan Murphy is speaking out about how the seventh season of American Horror Story is directly influenced by the 2016 presidential election, and how fans of the FX series already have the “wrong idea” about the politically-charged episodes to come.

“Everyone lost their sh*t after this election,” Murphy said according to IndieWire. “And everyone’s still losing their sh*t, and there is no real discussion. Everyone’s at each others’ throats. This is not about Trump or Clinton, but about somebody who has the wherewithal to use [that divisiveness].”

In preparing for the new season, which has been titled AHS: Cult, Murphy says that the writing rooms were intense with everyone venting their frustrations over both candidates, Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton.

“There was so much passion, pro and con, for both candidates [in the writers’ room] and we wanted to tap into that,” Murphy said. “We started writing this first episode right after the election in December. Things we were shooting in May in our country have come true in the last six weeks — Charlottesville, for example. Things that we as a room felt was in the water in our country have come to pass. It’s bizarre and emotional for the cast.”

Murphy believes that fans of the series may have a negative outlook on what the politically-themed season is going to look like given his outspoken opinions.

“People have the wrong idea already about what it’s going to be,” he said. “I’m an out gay man, and had the president of the United States at my house twice. I’ve always campaigned on the Democratic side. So I think people, when they see what this is going to be about, they presume. But it really is not about them. I hope people can figure it out.”

Given that there will likely be references made to President Donald Trump, Murphy says he doesn’t plan on addressing whatever reaction the real estate mogul possibly shares on Twitter.

“I would be so shocked if he did, and yet not… My response would be I’m not going to respond to that, because the work speaks for itself. I’m prepared to say nothing.”