JD Vance's "Terrible Tragedy" Remark Sparks Rumors About Donald Trump

For the past several days, the phrase "Trump Is Dead" has been a top trend on X (formerly Twitter), sparking widespread curiosity and confusion. This viral trend is not the result of a single event but rather a combination of factors, including a recent interview with Vice President JD Vance and a comment from The Simpsons creator Matt Groening.

The viral trend gained momentum following Vice President Vance's August 27 interview with USA Today. When asked if he was prepared to assume the presidency in the event of a "terrible tragedy," Vance acknowledged that while the 79-year-old president is "in good shape," unforeseen events could happen. He stated, "Yes, terrible tragedies happen. Despite defending the president's fitness, Vance's remarks about a "terrible tragedy" happening and the "on-the-job training" he has received may have unintentionally contributed to the viral trend and fueled speculation.

The online chatter was also amplified by a remark from The Simpsons creator Matt Groening at San Diego Comic-Con in July. As reported by Euronews, Groening made a joke about the long-running animated series concluding, linking its potential end to a specific person's death. He said, "We're going to go until somebody dies. When you-know-who dies, The Simpsons predicts that there will be dancing in the streets. Except President (J.D.) Vance will ban dancing. "Given the show's history of what some call "eerily accurate predictions," Groening's comment resonated with many online users.

This is not the first time false rumors about the president's health have circulated. In 2023, a hacker took over Donald Trump Jr.'s X account and posted a fake message claiming his father had died, a claim quickly debunked by the former president himself on Truth Social. More recently, public speculation about President Trump's health has also been fueled by photos of his visibly swollen legs, which the White House confirmed in July to be a result of chronic venous insufficiency, a common vein condition. The president has also survived two separate assassination attempts while campaigning in 2024.