Trump is dead? Inside the viral X trend linking politics, health rumors, and The Simpsons
Donald Trump. Picture: David Hume Kennerly/Getty Images
For days now, the name of former U.S. President Donald Trump has been all over X (formerly Twitter)—but not for the usual reasons. This time, it wasn’t about a fiery campaign speech, a new round of tariffs, or one of his famously unscripted remarks. Instead, the platform was flooded with the phrase “Trump Is Dead,” a viral storm that had people scrolling furiously in search of answers.
Speculation swirled: was this about his health? Was it sparked by recent political comments? Or was it simply the internet doing what it does best—turning whispers into wildfire?
The conversation gained momentum after Vice President JD Vance’s candid sit-down with USA Today on August 27. Asked if he was ready to step into the role of commander-in-chief should a “terrible tragedy” occur, Vance was quick to stress Trump’s vitality at 79. “He’s the last person making phone calls at night, and the first in the morning,” Vance said, painting a picture of an energetic president who, nevertheless, was not immune to the unpredictability of life.
That comment alone—especially the part about “terrible tragedies”—was enough for social media sleuths to start connecting dots. Add to that Trump’s known health struggles, including a July White House confirmation that he suffers from chronic venous insufficiency, a vein condition that causes leg swelling, and the rumor mill spun into overdrive. Earlier photos of his swollen legs had already fueled speculation, and the fact that Trump has survived two assassination attempts on the campaign trail only intensified the sense of intrigue.
But politics wasn’t the only stage feeding the buzz. Enter Matt Groening, creator of The Simpsons. Speaking at San Diego Comic-Con in July, Groening joked that the show would keep running “until somebody dies.” Then came the line that lit up timelines worldwide: “When you-know-who dies, The Simpsons predicts there will be dancing in the streets. Except President Vance will ban dancing.”
For longtime fans, it was another eerie addition to the show’s record of uncanny predictions—among them Trump’s presidential run, his victory in 2016, and even a storyline about his re-election years before it happened. To many, Groening’s playful jab felt less like comedy and more like prophecy.
Of course, this isn’t the first time false reports of Trump’s demise have sent shockwaves online. In September 2023, hackers briefly seized Donald Trump Jr.’s X account, posting a fake message claiming the former president had died. Within hours, Trump himself dispelled the hoax on Truth Social, alive and very much eager to mock the situation.
The current wave feels different, though. It’s not just a hack or a troll—it’s the blending of politics, pop culture, health concerns, and the internet’s endless appetite for speculation. And as “Trump Is Dead” trends on, one thing is certain: in the age of digital rumor, reality doesn’t always have the first word.
Below are tweets around the trend:
if trump is dead i will give 50 dollars to anyone who likes this tweet pic.twitter.com/sWOtuVhaDB
— Lila Velvet💗 (@VelvetVixenluv) August 30, 2025
if trump is dead i will give 500 dollars to anyone who likes and retweet this tweet
— The Daily Snitch (@TheDailySnitch) August 30, 2025
if trump is dead ill give 1000$ to anyone who likes or retweets this tweet pic.twitter.com/1sQGdsKmN2
— Monkey (@4pfmonkey) August 30, 2025
Anyone celebrating tonight because they think Trump is dead is now on a government watch list. pic.twitter.com/lE22LvyfaO
— Orijin (@AstralExodus) August 30, 2025
Well, I won't say I called it, but I did speculate how the "Trump is dead" narrative might propagate while Trump himself shows some form of life on Truth Social.
That's what's going on here.
The "rumor" is that he hasn't been seen in 3 days.
But he did post TODAY on Truth… pic.twitter.com/FGhgQpEVmT
— Gonz (@FaceLikeTheSun) August 30, 2025
