The latest claim alleges that The Simpsons predicted a global internet blackout on January 16, 2025, sparking debates across social media.
But how accurate is this claim?
The Viral Video: Fact or Fiction?
A widely circulated clip on social media suggests that The Simpsons foretold a nationwide internet outage coinciding with Donald Trump’s return to the White House on January 16, 2025.
In the video, a massive shark is seen destroying undersea internet cables, triggering a complete digital shutdown. Phones and computers fail, transactions halt, and the United States seemingly reverts to a pre-digital era.The clip also features Bart Simpson benefiting from the chaos as he escapes homework due to the outage.
A fictional news anchor announces the event with a headline reading, “Total shutdown in the USA – No internet.”
However, this viral video is far from an authentic Simpsons episode.
Upon closer inspection, it was revealed that the clip was AI-generated, not sourced from any aired episode of the show, as mentioned in a report by Free Press Journal.
Debunking the Rumor
- AI-Generated Content:
The visuals in the viral video were created using artificial intelligence and do not belong to any genuine Simpsons episode. Social media users, including those familiar with the show’s extensive archives, have confirmed that no episode matches the scenes depicted. - Misinformation Around Dates:
The video links the supposed internet blackout to Donald Trump’s inauguration. However, presidential inaugurations traditionally occur on January 20, not January 16. This inconsistency further discredits the video’s claims. - Past Patterns:
The same TikTok user, who posted the current viral clip, shared a similar video in 2024 claiming a December 15 internet shutdown. As with this year’s video, no such event materialized, proving these “predictions” to be fabricated.
The Simpsons’ Reputation for Predictions
While the viral clip is fake, it highlights the cultural phenomenon of attributing predictive powers to The Simpsons.
Over its decades-long run, the show has indeed paralleled real-life events, from technological breakthroughs to political scenarios.
However, these coincidences often stem from the show’s satirical commentary and deep cultural observations rather than clairvoyance.
FAQs
What is the darkest Simpsons episode?
“Homer’s Enemy” is widely regarded as one of the darkest episodes of The Simpsons, sparking divided opinions among critics.
Has The Simpsons ended?
On January 26, 2023, the series was renewed for its 35th and 36th seasons, ensuring it will run through the 2024–2025 television season.
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