‘Trump is dead’: Why US President is trending

Former United States President Donald Trump has garnered significant attention on social media platform X in recent days.

However, this interest is not attributed to his political actions or policy statements. Rather, it stems from the viral phrase “Trump is dead,” which has rapidly circulated among users, prompting many to seek clarification.

A review by Tribune Online on Saturday indicated that a substantial number of users have been consistently tweeting this phrase. One prominent post from @makrixyz stated, “If Trump is dead, I will give 100 dollars to anyone who likes this tweet.” Meanwhile, another post from @sunraesandirie read, “Despite the uncertainty surrounding his status, I will continue to like every tweet that claims Donald Trump is dead.”

The sudden emergence of this trending topic has led to inquiries regarding its origin, with some individuals attributing it to recent comments made by United States Vice President JD Vance, while others referenced remarks from Matt Groening, the creator of The Simpsons.

As reported by NDTV, the phrase began to gain traction shortly after Vice President Vance participated in an exclusive interview with USA Today on August 27, during which he was asked if he was prepared to assume the role of commander-in-chief should a “terrible tragedy” occur. While Vance emphasized that the 79-year-old president remains fit and active, he acknowledged the unpredictability of unforeseen events.

He stated, “He is the last person making phone calls at night, and he is the first person who wakes up and makes phone calls in the morning.” Vance further asserted, “Yes, terrible tragedies happen. However, I am very confident that the President of the United States is in good health, will complete his term, and will achieve significant accomplishments for the American people. In the unfortunate event of a terrible tragedy, I cannot envision better on-the-job training than what I have acquired over the past 200 days.”

Vice President Vance’s commentary, combined with Trump’s medical history, has seemingly intensified public speculation.

In July, Tribune Online reported that the White House had revealed Trump suffers from chronic venous insufficiency, a condition that leads to swelling in the legs. Prior to this announcement, images depicting the visibly swollen legs of the president had become widespread online, further fueling speculation.

Additionally, the president has survived two assassination attempts during his re-election campaign, events that have heightened public concern regarding his wellbeing.

The discussions were further amplified by comments made by Matt Groening during San Diego Comic-Con in July. As reported by Euronews, citing Variety, Groening suggested that while the long-running animated series possesses “no end in sight,” its conclusion could be associated with the passing of Donald Trump.

He remarked, “We will continue indefinitely. We will persist until there is a significant event. When the individual in question passes, The Simpsons predicts there will be celebrations in the streets, although President J.D. Vance will prohibit such festivities.”