Did The Simpsons’ 'Trumptastic Voyage' predict all three of Donald Trump's campaigns? Viral claim explored

Recently, a clip from The Simpsons short, Trumptastic Voyage, has sparked claims that the show predicted all three of Donald Trump's presidential campaigns, including his 2024 bid. This claim suggests that The Simpsons foresaw Trump's presidential runs in 2016, 2020, and 2024 as part of a long-standing trend of supposedly accurate "predictions" by the animated series.

The reality, however, may differ, as the short referenced multiple hypothetical campaigns. Trumptastic Voyage, released in 2015, depicts Donald Trump on a surreal journey within his mind as he prepares to run for office. While some supporters interpret this as predicting Trump's terms, the short actually alludes to multiple campaigns in 2016, 2020, 2024, and 2028.

Fans of Trump have reshared this sequence, emphasizing only the three campaigns and overlooking the reference to 2028, sparking debates on the show’s alleged "prophetic" content. Journalist and YouTuber, Dom Lucre posted on X (formerly Twitter), on November 8, 2024,

"I am resurfacing that The Simpsons predicted all three of Donald Trump's presidencies in their 2015 episode Trumptastic Voyage"

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The Simpsons Trumptastic Voyage and the viral "prediction" theory

The popularity of The Simpsons in political satire stems partly from its 2000 episode, Bart to the Future, which mentioned "President Trump." In the episode, Lisa Simpson becomes the U.S. President following Trump, dealing with a budget crisis.

This reference, widely shared during Trump’s 2016 victory, fueled beliefs that the show could foresee real-world events. This year, fans have resurrected the clip, tying it to Trump's continued political influence and claiming it extends to the 2024 election.

However, even with these parallels, no scenes explicitly depict election results or suggest Trump would win future campaigns. Dan Greaney, the writer behind Bart to the Future, stated in past interviews that the "President Trump" storyline was more a reflection of political trends than a prediction.

In a 2016 interview with The Hollywood Reporter, he stated, "It was a warning to America," underscoring that the episode satirized possible directions in American politics rather than attempting prophecy.

Fan interpretations have added layers to the original context. In Trumptastic Voyage, Homer Simpson’s journey through Trump's hair leads to absurd scenarios, a typical element of the show’s humor, directed by David Silverman.

Known for his contributions to The Simpsons, Silverman has used surreal imagery and playful satire to critique contemporary issues, including politics. On social media, theories regarding other supposed "predictions" in The Simpsons have gained traction.

Some fans also believe Kamala Harris's political trajectory parallels Lisa Simpson's role as the successor to "President Trump" in Bart to the Future. Harris's inauguration outfit—purple with a pearl necklace—fueled these comparisons. Her run for office with Tim Walz in 2024 reinforced these theories.

The Simpsons has achieved a cultural status that lends itself to theories about predictive content. The show has at times appeared prescient when real-life events seemingly align with fictional scenarios. However, critics argue that these "predictions" are typically coincidences or reflect recurring societal anxieties that the show captures through satire.

The theory behind the show "predicting" Trump’s presidency became so popular that it was acknowledged in the show’s chalkboard gag in 2017, stating, “Being right sucks.” However, the writers and creators continue to state that their narratives are often inspired by cultural observations rather than genuine forecasts.

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Fans can catch up with past episodes of the show on Disney+.