Rasputin Swims the Potomac

by Ben Fountain

From the award-winning, bestselling author of Billy Lynn’s Long Halftime Walk comes a biting satire of American politics and a searingly intelligent novel about the cruel absurdities of contemporary life, centering on a world champion professional wrestler with presidential ambitions

Reporter Clarence Thomas Jr. is looking for a great story, former country music teen star Faith Spack has parlayed her fame into a job at the White House, and the two-term incumbent president is campaigning for a constitutionally dubious third term.

After an outbreak at a campaign rally, a mysterious new pandemic of “weeping sickness” sweeps the nation, threatening the president’s hold on the Oval Office. Desperate to retain power, he enlists the mystical pro wrestler Rasputin to help ensure his reelection and guarantee additional seasons of his presidential reality TV show, The Real West Wing.

But as Rasputin’s appeal threatens to exceed the president’s, and the wrestler’s supposedly supernatural powers start to seem like the real thing, the campaign finds itself trapped in a spandex-clad destiny no number of executive orders can control, one in which both Clarence and Faith are compelled to play increasingly large parts.

Hilarious, compelling, and tragically relevant, Rasputin Swims the Potomac is both an escape and a warning, a scathing satire that explores the twists and turns of American democracy as it hurtles toward authoritarianism.

Genres: Fiction, Humor, Literary Fiction, Audiobook, Politics

416 pages, Hardcover

Expected publication June 9, 2026

About the author

Ben Fountain's fiction has appeared in Harper's, The Paris Review, and Zoetrope: All Story, and he has been awarded an O. Henry Prize, two Pushcart Prizes, and the PEN/Hemingway Award. He lives with his wife and their two children in Dallas, Texas.

Reviews

[Martha Steele · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very funny and over the top. To be honest, I bet I would have enjoyed this much more if we were not right in the midst of the horror that is the current administration. Too soon.

[Elizabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Funny, timely, and (shudder) probably uncomfortably prescient.

[Cindy · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Supreme Court has eased the way for BLEEP to run for a third term, Congress is on the verge of outlawing the Democratic Party, and there’s a hit reality show called “The Real West Wing.” But, at BLEEP’s recent rallies, his loyal followers have been erupting into uncontrollable sobbing. The only person who has the power to Stop the Sob is a man who goes by the name Rasputin. He’s a wrestler who likes all things Russian so of course he’s invited to the Oval Office and asked to consult (ie stop any more outbreaks), enabling BLEEP to resume his political rallies.
The premise would be even funnier if it weren’t a waking nightmare! The satire is propelled by a young blonde assistant press secretary for BLEEP who is a former reality TV star and an older black reporter from Texas named Clarence Thomas Jr. Throughout the audiobook, the current president is referred to as BLEEP (the word bleep, not the sound), presumably to avoid reprisals. The narrator doesn’t go too far (or far enough) in mocking the president’s unhinged speechifying, but the thoughts and deeds are all there for easy comparison. Enjoyable (and scary).
My thanks to the author, publisher, @MacmillanAudio, and #NetGalley for early access to the audiobook of #RasputinSwimsthePotomac for review purposes. Publication date: 9 June 2026, just in time for the midterms…

[Jamie M. L. Elam · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read an ARC provided by Netgalley*

The premise of this book piqued my interest but I really had no idea how enthralling and eerily parallel to real life this book would end up being. I truly enjoyed reading it from start to stop. If you are not a fan of Donald Trump then you will love this book as well. Rasputin stealing Melania from Donny was the icing on the cake. A couple of things I wish had gone differently:

- I wish Faith had taken back some of her own agency and leaked all of the trash and filth she had on both campaigns. I know we aren’t really supposed to like her, but I wish she would have had a different type of ending.

- Harvey should have died lol idc he sucks. Of course he doesn’t worry about birth control that’s silly women’s problems /s

- I think they really should have killed Rasputin at the end. It would have been interesting to martyr him in that way.

Clarence was the best, I enjoyed his POVs the most. I highly recommend reading this. I liked it so much I bought my own physical copy to keep.

[Janalyn, the blind reviewer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rasputin swims The Potomac by Ben Fountain, when the book starts the character XX who is also America’s president is giving a speech when people in the front row start weeping they’re crying others are beating them up, due to the fact XX called them agitators but he would soon learn just like the rest of the country that this is a phenomenon sweeping America the weeping that is. A black reporter named Clarence Thomas (no relation to the Supreme Court Justice) works for a very little funded online paper called “The Dallas Star” just so happened to be at the speech that night but moving on to the next morning this is when we meet another POV Faith Harris a former reality star and current media manager for the White House. In the beginning of the book Faith has a slight crush and lots of affection for XX, his kids not so much. so when she gets a text while on a first date telling her to get to the White House immediately, that’s exactly what she does. When she shows up she notices that XX and XX Junior are watching wrestling it seems they just saw Rasputin curing people of the weeping disease. With a hug and a few words everyone at the wrestling match was cured. This is why he tells Faith they must get Rasputin the wrestler to endorse XX but what Rasputin eventually does is not only not endorse him but actually run against him so the president goes from telling everyone what a great guy Rasputin is to what a horrible horrible man he is, that wrestling is fake and he’s not even really Russian. To top it off Rasputin is gonna swim from an island in the Pacific to the mainland and although his backers say he’s doing it to reinforce his faith because that’s what he did back in Russia when he was in the monastery. If you think this is enough for a plot well trust me there’s lots more and it is such a great book I gave this book 5 stars cause it hits all the notes that make a great book compelling writing and interesting plot a great momentum in this book is longer than an average book but I read it all in one city I did not want to put this book down at all it’s not only funny you can absolutely tell the author knew his subject it was just a great book a great awesome phenomenal well done fantastic better than anything else type of book I wish I could scream it from the rooftops I can’t believe there’s only 12 reviews on this great great book watch when it comes out and word-of-mouth gets around everyone’s gonna be talking about this book. #NetGalley, #TheBlindReviewer, #MyHonestReview,

[Stephanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was a timely and humorous take on current political happenings in the US. Set in the future (though it doesn't feel far off), President BLEEP, who is very clearly meant to be Trump, has decided to run for his third term in office. When an epidemic of a weeping virus takes over the public, BLEEP finds Rasputin, a pro wrestler, is the only one who can offer relief to those afflicted. Rasputin is presented like a modern-day second coming of Jesus, making seemingly miraculous acts that he attributes to god, but with the complications of present human life. When Rasputin decides to run for president, we see the events unfold through the lens of a former white house worker and semi-retired professor turned reporter. The characters remain gray, and the audience is never clear on who the 'good guys' really are, if such a thing even exists.

I enjoyed this book overall, especially as someone who is continually frustrated by the state of politics in our country. This felt very timely and a little cathartic. I thought the book was well-written and clever; I had no idea where it was going, but I was happily along for the ride. In some ways, this book reminded me of Carl Hiaasen's writing, which, in my mind, is a compliment. My only complaint is the ending! Alone in my room, I found myself saying out loud, "That's it?!?!" I feel like I know what the author was trying to achieve with this choice, but after so much time invested in the story, this felt very anticlimactic and a bit frustrating. On the other hand, those are the exact feelings a lot of us have while watching political leadership and subsequent choices unfold, so I guess it was on the nose...

I received an advanced audio copy of this book from NetGalley and the publisher. I thought the narration was extremely well done and really added to my enjoyment of this book. The pacing, use of accents, and various tones were spot on.

[Andrew Bienka · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sometimes you just feel like a book is written for you. I'm happy to report, 'Rasputin Swims the Potomac' is one of those books for this reviewer. Professional wrestling meets political satire that feels way, way too real at some points, but often leaves you laughing.

Professional Wrestling champion Rasputin is invited by the President (the orange one, sort of, maybe, definitely is you know who) to the White House to help him secure a questionable third term the supreme court has cleared the way for. See, this feels all too real and scary. This, after Rasputin shows an ability during a wrestling television show to 'cure' the newly emerging 'Weeping Sickness' that's hitting the country.

Throughout the book the characters of Clarence Thomas Jr (no relation) and Faith Spacks share as being the focal point while giving the reader a view into the insane (and as I already mentioned, way too real) political landscape of the United States. All of the characters, including the president, first lady and Rasputin all felt real. It's hard to explain, but this book felt like an odd non-fiction account of what could happen. It's that real. Kudos to Ben Fountain for using the bizarre world we live in to spin off this story.

The only downside for me was the ending left a bit to be desired but I'm hoping a sequel is in the works...

If you hate MAGA and could use a dark laugh during these tough times, this book is for you.

Thank you to Netgalley, Flatiron Books and Ben Fountain for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Jane · Rating 4 out of 5]

How do you satirize these here times we live in? Everything is already farcical so what can fiction do? I guess the answer is to center the story on a few fictional characters rather than the already absurd pols we're stuck with. What you get is our current president running for a now-legal third term, inviting a professional wrestler (inhabiting the persona of Rasputin) to be his running mate, observed by a journalist named Clarence Thomas Jr and a staffer who might be playing both sides. Rasputin, whose charisma can cure the weeping sickness afflicting MAGA America, becomes a movement sweeping into what is supposed to be President Bleep's victory tour after the Supreme Court grants a shot at a third term....and then is inevitably derailed (or is he) into a sex scandal because what's politics without one of those.
Honestly, 90% of it doesn't even read as satire, it's too plausible from where we're sitting now. Things that I think are supposed to register as bizarre, in the way that professional wrestling is bizarre, could be another headline in the news. I guess the ending, featuring the titular swim, is more unusual than most things so the ending left me with a little WTF but mostly this book is good for a chuckle and a wink that we, the audience, are at least all interpreting events similarly.
I liked the audio reasonably well, although the narrator's Bleep impression wasn't consistent enough; occasionally it was unsettlingly spot on, but mostly it blended in or become generic NY-ish.
Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for the arc!

[Janine · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fantastically hilarious read satirizing our politics and bringing readers a bit of fun in our dark days

Supposedly set in the future, the current President is thinking about a third term during which the “weeping and wailing” sickness has overtaken the country. Once the third term is approved by the Supreme Court and announced to a MAGA rally, mass sobbing ensues, followed by attacks in the weepers and a violent police attack. Meanwhile, the event between the wrestler, Rasputin, and Odo Olympo, his opponent, is interrupted by mass weeping. Rasputin goes into the crowd and hugs each weeper giving them joy. Rasputin is then given an invitation by the President to be his VP. And, then it’s a romp into all the craziness we are living through today. Finally, as one reviewer stated “the current administration is given the book it deserves.”

This is perfect book for lovers of satire and detesters of MAGA. Loved it.

My thanks to NetGalley and Flatiron Books for giving me access to this ARC.

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the first book that I have read by Ben Fountain and I loved it from page one!

This book is set in the future but has a very real current event feel to it. Dripping in craziness that mirrors the current administration, this book is a funny read that is laugh out loud funny in places making dealing with current events a little more pleasant. I also felt that it had some Primary Colors vibes to it in its absurdity.

I laughed through this book and honestly only chose it because the title intrigued me. I'm so glad that I decided to enjoy this book early and would recommend it to others.

[Meagan Armstrong · Rating 4 out of 5]

I went into this book knowing it was an absurd political satire about *BLEEPS* 3rd term reelection BUT I really didn’t know what to expect. This book did not disappoint. It was definitely absurd and wacky. You honestly have no idea what’s going to come out of the presidents mouth.. which sounds awfully familiar 👀. This book is very relatable to current political times which makes the humour so much better.

I loved that we got POVs from the president AND his staff. The narrator did a great job representing each character. The narrator made voice changes for each characters and that was a great way to keep track of who was talking and which persons POV it was.

[Carole · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was one of the first bitingly funny things I have read about this “bring you to tears” second Trump administration. From the first page the absurdity of what is being done and how power is being wielded was “laugh out loud” funny. My favorite character was Clarence Thomas, not the Supreme Court Justice, but a black reporter for middling newspaper. Finished some time back, it was a little like reading the morning news….how could Ben Fountain possibly know the future?

[Jen G · Rating 3 out of 5]

I thought when I requested it that I could handle a satire of Tr*mp but turns out I couldn’t. It was too close to reality. In fact, ’s behavior in the book wasn’t even as awful as Tr*mp in real life. I couldn’t laugh because it was just too real. There’s a UFC fighting rink being built in front of the White House; we’re basically living this timeline. Terrifying, not funny. I skimmed the last 2/3 because I wasn’t enjoying it.

[Hades ( Disney's version ) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you Netgalley and Macmillan Audio for an ALC of Rasputin Swims the Potomac by Ben Fountain. 

Honestly, as much as ADHD has been the bane of my existence over the years, I must say, there are some silver linings. It has led me on many great adventures in several different forms over the years. I really don't know what I was expecting when I saw this book. My squirrel brain saw the cover and went " ooouuuu yes please".  I love history and have an unhinged addiction to word play and clever humor. Otherwise I went in as blind as could be. And, Oh. My. Gods.This was nothing short of a work of art! 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😭 Anyone, everyone and their muther (not a typo) who isn't a part of the MAGA klan needs to read this!.. *the following is a statement of my PERSONAL beliefs, so PLEASE try to not stain your sorted whites if you feel differently.*.. You know when a situation gets SO bad and SO unfathomable, you feel as if all that's left to do is laugh? That's right around where we're at as a country and this is the laughter we all so desperately need! There is so much brilliance here picking out highlights would be next to impossible! 

At first I was slightly hesitant when I started hearing how political it was. It's just not a preference of mine. I read for enjoyment and that's just not an enjoyable topic to me. Minus this baby, in every way shape and possible form! If I could serenade this little lady with The Only Exception by Paramore, I would. Thanks to this book from now to eternity I'm going to have to say "I don't like political reads, expect..." Get this man a job at The Onion ASAP!

Bravo!

Until next time,
Hades
🩵

[Kerri C · Rating 1 out of 5]

I got this e-arc from NetGalley. I read about 50% of this and I had to end the torture.

[Glenn Stenquist · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a blast to read and hits pretty close to home on our absurd political system right now.

[Deanna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not a book I would typically grab based on title or cover, but I won it on Goodreads and am glad. A bit absurd and sardonic.

[Charlotte Capuano · Rating 4 out of 5]

imma need 24 hours to digest but def sitting at a 3.5 for me

[Angie Miale · Rating 5 out of 5]

An absurd satire about Trump’s reelection campaign for a 3rd term and the one that comes to challenge him, WWE Champion Rasputin, who despite being American born, legally changed his name to Rasputin and claims to be the reincarnation of one of the most notorious villains in recorded history. At first Trump and Rasputin are friends. The nation is suffering from a “weeping disease,” officially called conversion disorder which is a more scientific and updated way to say mass hysteria.

This book’s vibes are like no other.

This book is wild- but so is the news. Trying to take on the task of political satire at a time when we have breaking news on a daily basis that reads like satire is, well, ambitious. But this - as ridiculous as it seems- is a story that we can’t see where it’s going and it seems relevant at all times. I think this scenario is as likely as any for 2028. Some details are true and some are creatively inserted. I will admit googling a few news items because I didn’t know if they had happened or if they were part of the story. From the blurb I though the president would be called “president mcpresidentface” but he is written, extremely realistically and convincingly, Donald Trump. EDIT: Since writing this review and reading an Advanced Early Copy, the book has been altered to change the President’s name to REDACTED (when I read it, it was DJT)— but don’t worry. It won’t affect your enjoyment in the slightest. I think it’s a funny bit, actually. Also WWE has been changed to a non-sense acronym, ESPN references removed, etc etc.

The challenge, I think, is just that this book will appeal more to those that think Trump is a threat to our democracy (which is most of us readers, but not all)… and yet many of us hate him so much that we don’t want to read him as a character in a fictitious story. It just makes me so mad that no one has read this but me I can’t wait to discuss with someone !!!!! I’m fascinated in Rasputin using Christian orthodox imagery as propaganda and his political platform.

Who knows. Maybe fountain is prescient and the one that will destroy MAGA will be another pawn of political theater.

I don’t know anyone else who has read this and it was only briefly on NetGalley but I’m so glad I snagged this one. EDIT: After removing and changing the public names, it was back on NetGalley!

Melania’s Character arc… 🤌🤌🤌 chef’s kiss

Favorite character? Clarence Thomas.

Thanks to NetGalley and flatiron books for the ARC. Book to be published June 9, 2026.