Viral “Trump Dead” Claim Debunked as Fact-Checkers and Officials Weigh In

August 29, 2025

A spate of viral social-media posts today claimed that the long-running animated sitcom The Simpsons predicted the death of former President Donald Trump in August 2025. The posts circulated images purporting to show a cartoon figure resembling Mr. Trump collapsing and later lying in a casket, sparking widespread debate and concern online.

Shortly after the claim gained traction, fact-checking units-including France 24’s The Observers-confirmed that no episode of The Simpsons ever depicted President Trump dying or being placed in a coffin. The viral images were determined to be artificially generated or doctored, rather than screenshots from any official episode.

Matt Selman, an executive producer of The Simpsons, reiterated in a statement that the show has never featured a storyline involving President Trump’s death. He attributed the spread of the images to advances in AI-generated content and hoaxers aiming to stoke conspiracy theories.

On Capitol Hill, Vice President (and former Senator) J.D. Vance addressed the rumors in an interview published late Thursday, assuring the public that Mr. Trump remains in “robust health” and possesses “remarkable energy” despite ongoing speculation about his well-being. Vance’s comments came after images of Mr. Trump’s hands and ankles showed bruising-later attributed by his personal physician to chronic venous insufficiency, a benign circulatory condition common in individuals over 70 years of age.

The White House also reaffirmed that Mr. Trump is “in excellent health,” noting that recent bruises are consistent with normal side effects of frequent handshakes while on an aspirin regimen. A detailed assessment released earlier this month found no evidence of heart failure, kidney dysfunction, or other systemic illness.

With social-media platforms still grappling with the proliferation of AI-generated misinformation, today’s incident underscores the importance of verifying sensational claims through reputable fact-checking organizations and official statements.